Thank you to all the schools who attended our annual Bertie Foley Cup competition this year. It is great to remember Mr Foley a past principal in this way. Bertie was a great promoter of our games and the work he did ensured Gaelic games flourished in Tyrone. A special thanks must go to his family as they continue to sponsor our Boy and girl player of the tournament.
In our boys section we had; St Patrick’s Ardboe, Holy Family PS Magherafelt, Derrychrin PS, St Peter’s Moortown, St. John’s Kingsisland, Ballylifford PS, St. Trea’s PS Ballymaguigan and Lahey PS.
In the girls Competition we had; St. Patrick’s Ardboe, Ballylifford PS, St. John’s Kingsisland, St. Trea’s PS Ballymaguigan, and Lahey PS.
A huge thank you must go to the Ardboe O’Donovan Rossa club for all their hard work in preparing the grounds, setting up pitches and having refreshments available for all the schools and the volunteers on the day. Thanks to all our referees on the day who ensured all the games could run smoothly. As with all blitzes and competitions there are so many people working hard to ensure it was a success. The children will all remember their day due to your hard work.
All four pitches were in action from 10.15 to we reached our finals. Almost 40 games were played in a great spirit with some brilliant action. For most of the P7 children involved it would be their last opportunity to wear their school jersey.
Our girls competition saw hosts St Patrick’s make it through to the semifinals as they played Kingsisland. In the other semifinal St Peter’s Moortown met Ballylifford. After two exciting games local neighbours St Peter’s Moortown met St Patrick’s Mullinahoe. In a great final the Ardboe girls proved to be too strong and with some great scores managed to take the lead and come out on top. Our girls had a great days football and improved game by game as the day went on. 🏆
In the boys section Holy Family Magherafelt met Kingsisland in their semifinal and this was a great tussle. Both teams were very strong and either. Could have made it through to the final but in the end The Magherafelt men were more ruthless in front of goal and it was a goal late in the game that gave them the win. In the other semifinal St Patrick’s played St Trea’s in a great game. At the end of normal time they couldn’t be separated and finished level. Into extra time and The Ardboe boys showed some great quality to open up a lead and ensure they made the final.
The final was a well contested game with both teams giving their all. Ardboe had beaten Holy Family in their group game but this time the Magherafelt boys got their revenge and came out on top. It was a brilliant game and the St Patrick’s boys can be proud of their days football.
All that remained was for our runners up and winners to receive their medals, our players of the tournament to be announced and get their vouchers sponsored by the Foley Family.
