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2005 Cumann na mBunscol an Duin INTO Boys’ Football Final.
The Annual INTO Boys Football sevens was held recently attracting a record entry of thirty-four primary schools. Twelve teams qualified for the finals at St. Patrick’s Boys’ P.S. Downpatrick on Thursday 7 April including, for the first time, St. Michael Belfast who are affiliated to Cumann an Duin. Other schools who won their qualifying games were: St. Mary’s Newcastle, St. Mary’s Rathfriland, St. Mary’s Rostrevor, St. Patrick’s Saul, St. Malachy’s Kilcoo, St. Patrick’s Hilltown, St. McCartan’s Loughinisland, St. Malachy’s Castlewellan, St. Dallan’s Warrenpoint, St. Patrick’s Downpatrickand St. Mary’s Portaferry. The competition was divided into four sections comprising each of three teams with the section winners advancing to the semifinals. In Section A St. Mary’s Rathfriland overcame two much larger schools in the form of St. Mary’s Newcastle and St. Michael’s Belfast while St. Malachy’s Kilcoo progressed with commanding victories over St. Mary’s Boys’ Rostrevor and St. Patrick’s Saul in Section B. St. Malachy’s Castlewellan proved too strong for both St. McCartan’s Loughinisland and St. Patrick’ Hilltown in Section C while St. Mary’s Portaferry, more renowned for their hurling prowess, won Section D with victories over St. Patrick’s Downpatrick and St. Dallan’s Warrenpoint.
Results:
Newcastle 1-1 Rathfriland 2-6
Rathfriland 2-3 Belfast 0-0
Newcastle 2-3 Belfast 1-1
Rostrevor 3-2 Saul 0-3
Saul 0-0 Kilcoo 3-2
Kilcoo 3-1 Rostrevor 1-1
Hilltown 1-5 Loughinisland 0-1
Loughinisland 1-0 Castlewellan 3-1
Castlewellan 2-2 Hilltown 0-2
Warrenpoint 2-2 Downpatrick 1-1
Downpatrick 1-2 Portaferry 1-3
Warrenpoint 2-0 Portaferry 2-7
The first semifinal pitted Rathfriland against Portaferry and this proved to be a low scoring but thrilling game with both defences coming out on top. Rathfriland won by the narrowest of margins.
St. Mary’s Rathfriland 0-3 St. Mary’s Portaferry 0-2
The second semifinal saw neighbours Castlewellan and Kilcoo battle in a pulse racing, high scoring affair which had all the elements of good football and the result being in doubt right up to the final whistle.
St. Malachy’s Castlewellan 3-4 St. Malachy’s Kilcoo 2-8
So the annual INTO Boys’ Sevens for the Patsy McArdle Trophy was to be contended by the might of Kilcoo against the much smaller team from Rathfriland. St. Mary’s Rathfriland with the wind on their backs attacked from the throw in and exchanged wides with their opponents before Patrick Monaghan opened their scoring from a free kick. A poor kickout by Rathfriland, after some intense Kilcoo pressure, fell to Kilcoo’s captain Aaron Morgan and his pass to Pierce Morgan allowed the latter to bring the teams level. A super moved begun by Aaron Morgan and involving Darryl Brannigan, Nathan Smyth and Peirce Morgan ended with Rathfriland goalkeeper Ryan Trainor saving at the feet of Aaron Morgan. Patrick Monaghan scored a point for Rathfriland before Kilcoo’s Nathan Smyth brought the teams level at the half time whistle.
Halftime Score:
In the second half the pace was just as relentless with both teams having the opportunities to win the game and both defences blocking and living dangerously. Kilcoo pulled ahead with two well taken points by the Morgan while Darryl Brannigan found the back of the Rathfriland net. Cathal Tumilty played his part with two mighty points before an exquisite move involving the Monaghan twins gave Cathal Tumilty the opportunity to raise the green flag for Rathfriland.
Final Score:
Extra time was called for and in the first half both teams tried earnestly for victory. The Monaghan twins and Tumilty combined well for Rathfriland without increasing their scoring tally while Brannigan, and P Morgan enabled Nathan Smyth to give Kilcoo the lead with a well taken goal. Another superb Kilcoo moved was thwarted by Ryan Trainor in the Rathfriland goals.
Halftime ( extra time)
St. Mary’s Rathfriland 1-4 St. Malachy’s Kilcoo 2-4.
It was catch up time for the St. Mary’s team but try as they might, they found the much bigger and stronger Kilcoo team ready for all their efforts. Kilcoo completed their victory with three wonderful points by Darryl Brannigan after great support work by the two Morgans, Aaron and Pierce. Both teams can be extremely proud of the football skills and the commitment displayed by every player in a most sporting contest.
Final Score:
After the game Mr Michael Hanly presented the Patsy McArdle Shield to Aaron Morgan captain of the victorious Kilcoo team. Mr Pat Watterson, Cathaoirleach Cumann na mBunscol an Duin congratulated all the teams who had participated, their coaches who had involved them in the competition and their parents for their encouragement. He thanked Mr Michael Hanly who had organised the event, the referees who officiated, the local co-ordinators who had ensured preliminary rounds were completed and St. Patrick’s Boys P.S. for the use of the facilities at Dillons Avenue. He invited the victorious Kilcoo team to represent county Down in the area finals to be held May.
St. Malachy’s Kilcoo 2005 INTO Boys Football Chanpions