Cumann na mbunscol

All the teams that took part in the 2008 Indoor Hurling Championship

St. Mary’s Kircubbin win 2008 indoor hurling title

St. Mary's Kircubbin became 2008 indoor hurling champions after a clinical display in the final, beating arch rivals St. Mary's Portaferry 3 - 1, at Portaferry leisure centre on Wednesday 12th March. With 13 schools from across the county qualifying, all present witnessed great skill and sportsmanship throughout the competition.

The group results were as follows

Group 1
Portaferry 4 2 Maghermayo
Attical 2 1 Ballyholland
Portaferry 3 2 Attical
Maghermayo 1 2 Ballyholland
Portaferry 3 1 Ballyholland
Maghermayo 4 2 Attical

Group 2
Ballygalget 4 0 Loughinisland
Balyygalget 4 1 Loughbrickland
Loughbrickland 2 1 Loughinisland

Group 3
Kircubbin 2 0 Banbridge
Kircubbin 6 0 Bunscoil Castlewellan
Bunscoil Castlewellan 5 1 Banbridge

Group 4
Warrenpoint 2 1 Kilkeel
Warrenpoint 0 0 Castlewellan
Castlewellan 2 1 Kilkeel
Warrenpoint 0 3 Castlewellan

After the group stages were completed , the group winners; Portaferry, Ballygalget, Kircubbin and Castlewellan qualified for the semi-finals.

Pictured above are the 2008 winners St. Mary’s Kircubbin

Portaferry beaten finalists in the 2008 indoor hurling championship

Semi-Finals
Ballygalget 1 3 Portaferry
Kircubbin 2 0 Castlewellan

In the first semi-final saw the clash of in form Ballygalget and hosts Portaferry. Both schools served up a cracking match which saw Ballygalget take the lead through a Drew Coffee strike. This was quickly cancelled out by Chris Ennis for Portaferry. The game swung to and fro but in the final minute Barry Trainor struck twice to take the hosts through to the final, 3-1.

The second semi was another super game with Kircubbin just edging out a gallant Castlewellan side who had held their own against the Ards school with some impressive goalkeeping from Sean Hardy. But for all young Hardy's great work, he couldn't keep out goals from Liam Savage and BJ Hughes. Kircubbin reaching the final on a 2-0 scoreline.

Final
Kircubbin 3 1 Portaferry

With Portaferry beating Ballygalget and Kircubbin just beating Castlewellan in the semis, the form book was suggesting that Portaferry should have gone on and retained their indoor title, but the young Kircubbin hurlers had a script of their own and produced their best game to last. Kircubbin played most of the hurling in the opening minutes and were rewarded with a great goal from Liam Savage. Portaferry tried ever so hard to find an equaliser but found the Kircubbin defence difficult to breach. Kircubbin wrapped the game up with two quick strikes with 2 minutes remaining from the stick of Liam Savage and B J Hughes. Portaferry did reply but it was only a consolation with Barry Trainor scoring for the runners-up. The final whistle was greeted with great cheers and Kircubbin now go forward to represent Down in the Ulster championship next month in Fermanagh.

At the presentation, Brendan Rice, Runai Cumann na mBunscol, congratulated the winners, Kircubbin and all the other 12 schools which took part, for their sportsmanship and great skill. Mr Paddy Brannif and his referees were thanked for the slick organisation smoothness of the tournament while Portaferry Leisure Centre was appreciated for the use of their fabulous facility.