NATIONAL HOMEPAGE        DOWN HOMEPAGE

Cumann na mBunscol an Duin  Annual Indoor Football Competition.

Downpatrick retain Indoor Football Title.

The annual  Five Aside Indoor Football competition was held during November at various centres with the finals in Newry on Friday 3^rd Dec. To encourage the involvement of all primary schools, the competition was runoff in three sections comprising of small, medium and large primary schools. The following qualified for the finals:

Small schools                St. Francis’ Drumaroad & St Joseph’s Strangford

Medium Schools           St. Joseph’s Crossgar & St. Mary’s Aughlisnafin

Large Schools              St. Patrick’s Downpatrick & St. Mary’s Rostrevor.

The finals were played on a round robin basis with  defending champions Downpatrick being undefeated in Section A while a rampant Rostrevor took full points in Section B. Second place in Section A proved most contentious with Crossgar needing extra time to overcome a spirited Drumaroad team while Aughlisnafin defeated Strangford to claim a place against Downpatrick in the first semifinal. Downpatrick proved too strong especially in defence for Aughlisnafin winning by a margin of three points. The second semifinal pitted new boys Crossgar against the vastly experienced Rostrevor and this was the case of the more experienced side taking their scores while Crossgar failed to capitalise on their chances. Rostrevor had a rather flattering seven points to spare at the final whistle. The final was an enthralling affair of end to end football, with both teams having their opportunities but it was the well tutored Downpatrick team attacking with flair, while packing their defence to ensure no easy scores were given away to the opposition, that proved victorious. At the end they won by five points and were fully justified by this result.

Scores:

Rostrevor         4-4       Aughlisnafin      0-0

Downpatrick    2-3       Drumaroad       1-1

Strangford        2-1       Aughlisnafin      2-2

Crossgar          0-1       Downpatrick    1-7

Strangford        1-1       Rostrevor         4-4

Drumaroad       1-2       Crossgar          1-2  (Extra Time played)

Drumaroad       0-0       Crossgar          1-2

Semifinals

Aughlisnafin      1-3       Downpatrick    1-6

Rostrevor         1-8       Crossgar          0-4

Final

Downpatrick    2-7       Rostrevor         2-2

After the final, Pat Watterson Cathaorleach Cumann na mBunscol an Duin congratulated all the participants for a most sporting endeavour and skillful display . He had a special word of praise for St. Patrick’s Boys’ Downpatrick who retained the Indoor Football Title and who will represent Down in the forthcoming Ulster Finals. He thanked the Management Committee of St. John Bosco for the use of their excellent facilities and all the teachers who ensured the success of this the first competition of the school year. The annual Table Quiz is the next event in the Cumann na mBunscol programme and this will be held at the end of January 2005, so now is the time to prepare by  revising your Irish folklore, history and geography and try to represent your school and county in the forthcoming Ulster Finals !