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:
St. Mary’s Rathfriland 0-2 St. Malachy’s
Kilcoo 0-2
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:
St. Mary’s Rathfriland 1-4 St. Malachy’s Kilcoo
1-4
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:
St. Mary’s Rathfriland 1-4 St. Malachy’s Kilcoo
2-7
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.
