QUALIFIERS:
Over the last few weeks, schools from all round the county have been participating in the Xtra/vision 5-a-side competitions, attempting to win qualifying groups and progress to the County Finals: 4 groups were played before Easter, with 2 days of football in Ballinagare, and 2 more in Donamon:
On the first day in Ballinagare, teams from Tibohine NS, Loughglynn NS, Cortoonmore NS and Cloonfour NS all took part, with Loughglynn winning through in the Boys’ section, and Cortoonmore in the girls’: 24 hours later, Aughrim NS, Cootehall NS, Croghan NS and Ballinagare NS did battle, with the local school coming out on top in the boys’, and Aughrim NS in the Girls’:
While all this excitement was unfolding, miles away in Donamon, Athleague NS, Roxboro NS, Mt: Talbot NS, Kilteevan NS and Creggs NS were in action, with Creggs winning the Girls’ competition and Roxboro and Runnamoate progressing in the Boys’: The following day saw Ballagh NS, Castleplunkett NS, Gaelscoil De hÍde, BAllygar NS and Lisaniskey competing: Ballagh made it through to the next round of the Boys’competition, while the Lisaniskey girls also booked their place in the final stages:
After Easter, the first week saw a flurry of football blitzes: Onagh Park in Taughmaconnell hosted teams from Cloonakilla NS, St: Ronan’s, Taughmaconnell, Newtown NS, and Brideswell NS, with the former winning both the Boys’ and Girls’ sections: Granlahan NS and Cloonfad NS won through to the Boys’ and Girls’ finals respectively in Cloonfad,: Ballyleague NS and Ballintleva NS did likewise when they played in Donamon: Moore NS saw their girls’ team beat off the challenges of Tarmon and Elphin, while Cloontuskert did the double over teams from Ballymurray, Glanduff, and FourmileHouse:
Therefore the teams who will contest the Boys’ A, and Girls’ A finals are; Boys’, Loughglynn, Cloontuskert, Roxboro, Ballyleague, Cloonakilla, Ballagh, Ballinagare, Runnamoate and Granlahan; Girls – Creggs, Lisaniskey, Aughrim, Cortoonmore, Moore, Cloontuskert, Cloonakilla, Ballintleva, Cloonfad and Gorthaganny: These finals will be played on Thursday May 6th and held in the Roscommon League grounds in Lecarrow, starting at 11am:
In the B Schools Section, which is for bigger schools, there was a fantastic day of football in Lecarrow on April 14: In the Boys’ Section, there were 12 teams from Summerhill NS, Moore NS, Cornafulla NS, Elphin NS, Tarmon NS and Gorthaganny NS: At the end of all the games, Cornafulla emerged as the County Champions, a feat they repeated in the Girls B Section, beating Roscommon Convent, Castlerea Convent and their old rivals, Summerhill: Thus, there was a new name on both those trophies: They now go forward to the Connaught Finals, which will be held at Shiven Rovers’ ground on Wednesday, May 12:
As always, there was only one school which was big enough for the C section, the Abbey Boys NS, Roscommon: They will also play in the Connaught final on May 12: Who will join them in representing Roscommon? Tune in after the "A" County Finals on May 6
COUNTY FINAL:
There are few things that are as pleasing and as satisfying for children, parents and teachers as a school’s blitz day, in whatever sport or code: However, you’ll have to travel a long way to find a better day’s entertainment than last Thursday’s Xtra/vision 5-a-side Finals:
Held at the Roscommon League grounds in Lecarrow, there was football of a standard to match the superb facilities: 10 boys’ teams and 10 more girls’ teams did battle for the coveted spot in the Connacht Finals, but, as with all competition, there could only be one winner in each section:
The day started with 2 boys’ groups in the “A” Section: The first contained, Runnamaote NS, Ballinagare NS, Cloonakilla NS, Cloontuskert NS and Lisaniskey NS: After a round robin series that saw each team play each other, it all came down to a “winner/take/all” scenario between Cloontuskert and Cloonakilla: Despite a heavy favourites tag, Cloonakilla lost out to Cloontuskert, but only on goal difference:
The other boy’s group comprised of Ballyleague NS, Ballagh NS, Roxboro NS, Loughglynn NS and Granlahan NS: This group was won by Ballagh, who faced near neighbours in the County Final: In the final, which was a cracker of a game, Cloontuskert scored early on through Shane Phillips, but Ballagh equalised with almost the last kick of the game: Joseph Farrell’s effort rebounding off a defender and past the goalie: In extra time, Shane again put Cloontuskert ahead, but a stunning long/range strike from Darren Nerney levelled matters: However, Shane Phillips struck again to crown Cloontuskert the champions for this year:
There were also 2 groups of 5 in the Girls’ “A” Section: The first was made up of Cloonfad NS, Cortoonmmore NS, Aughrim NS, Creggs NS and Lisaniskey NS, and following a titanic struggle, Aughrim edged out Cloonfad:
In the other group, Cloonakilla accounted for Cloontuskert, Moore, Runnamoate and Ballintleva, as they progressed undefeated: Indeed, they were to remain undefeated, as they also beat Aughrim in the final, a match which was close and tight/fought, but high on skill, commitment and drama: Well done to both teams:
Many thanks to all the players, supporters, teachers, parents and mentors of all the teams involved: Also to the Roscommon and District League for the use of their facilities, not just for those finals, but for other blitz days which were run there: A special word of thanks to Martin Conboy and his team of FÁS workers, who prepared the grounds, sorted out pitches, refereed the games and generally co/ordinated the whole competition from start to end: Finally, thanks to Dave Dibble, who was the official photographer on the day, and who is adding the photographs to his web/site, www:viewfromthetouchline:com