OLSS Castleblayney win back to back blitz titles

It was a nail biting day with plenty of drama for OLSS Castleblayney (Monaghan) but they managed to hold onto their 7-a-side blitz trophy coming from behind in the dying minutes of the final to pip Castleknock Community College (Dublin) and winning a dramatic hockey style penalty shootout in semi final against Naas CBS.

The tournament catered for teams from three provinces and from seven different counties. The format of groups of four seen some intriguing matches up from early in the day. The end of the group stages seen the quarter finals of the cup lined out with four cross county fixtures, the pick of the bunch seeing St. Benilidus & St. Mary’s Edenderry facing off, both recent winners of Leinster Senior A titles. The teams then progressed to the semi final stages where an absolute thriller between Naas CBS and OLSS Castleblayney finished level and resulted in three hockey style penalties each, with the Castlblayney keeper playing a starring role and seeing his side to victory. The other semi final seen surprise package of the day Castleknock CC come out on top against Edenderry.

The tournament progressed on the other pitches with the shield tournament with the Marist Athlone playing Scoil Mhuire Clane in the final with the Kildare side landing a victory displaying some fine football.

The final was a close affair with Castleknock CC speeding into an early lead which they held until the dying minutes when two quick fire Blayney goals helped seal back to back titles for the Monaghan men. It was fitting that current Monaghan Senior footballer and DCU Fresher star, Micheal Bannigan was on hand to present to help present the player of the tournament award to David Hanley and the winning team trophy to his former school OLSS Castleblayney.

DCU would like to thank the teachers and coach drivers for their effort in bringing the students to this event. Great credit must go to the successful Fresher A  & B players and Bobbi Uram for their hard work in organising and running a successful day. A speedy recovery to both Christian Walton & Iarlaith O’Kelly-Lynch who sustained injuries on the day.  Thanks also to sponsor Bank of Ireland & Linda McGrath for presenting awards. A further mention then to the schools who participated; OLSS Castleblayney (Monaghan), Castleknock CC (Dublin),  St Peter’s Dunboyne (Meath), Marist Athlone (Westmeath), St. Nathy’s (Roscommon), St Patrick’s Navan (Meath x 2), Naas CBS (Kildare x 2), Scoil Mhuire Clane (Kildare), St. Kevin’s Finglas (Dublin), Mount Temple (Dublin), St. Benilidus (Dublin), St Mary’s Edenderry (Offaly), Colaiste Eoin (Dublin) and Largy College (Monaghan).

Loreto Wexford land Ladies football title

Loreto Wexford showed that Ladies football is alive and well in the South East with some fantastic football over the course of the day in landing the DCU Ladies Football 7-a-side blitz title, taking the title from last years winners St. Peter’s Dunboyne.

It was a fantastic days football with schools from across Leinster & Ulster taking part, as following the group stages we we had four different counties represented in the semi finals of the cup competition. The goals only format for the first time proved a hit with players, mentors and spectators a like as it promoted adventure and skill.

The shield competition seen Castleknock Community college land a victory against Loreto Wexford (2) in a fine game, where some of the individual scores were fantastic.

The semi finals seen Loreto Wexford overcome a Mount Sackville side who showed flashes of beautiful football, while OLSS Castleblayney overcame last years winner St. Peter’s Dunboyne. The final seen the teams travelling furthest on the day in opposition as there was no quarter given for the whole game and one goal was the most that ever separated the sides but it was the girls from the sunny southeast who ended up ahead at the full time whistle.

The player of the tournament came in the guise of Emma Cousins from Wexford, who excelled throughout the day and the awarding of the winners trophy to Sadbh McCarthy & Emma Codd wrapped up proceedings for the day.

DCU would like to thank the teachers and coach drivers for their effort in bringing the students to this event. Great credit must go to the O’Connor, Giles & Moynihan Cup players and Bobbi Uram for their hard work in organising and running a successful day and to the ATT support offered by Shaunagh Brady & Deirdre Geaney. A speedy recovery to Sarah Wall who sustained a knee injury on the day.  Thanks also to sponsor Bank of Ireland & Linda McGrath for presenting awards. A further mention then to the schools who participated; OLSS Castleblayney (Monaghan), Mount Sackville (Dublin), Castleknock CC (Dublin), St. Dominic’s (Dublin), St Peter’s Dunboyne (Meath), Loreto Wexford (2) & Maryfield (Dublin)

Loreto Kilkenny claim DCU 7-a-side Blitz title

It was a local derby on unfamiliar ground as a strong Loreto Kilkenny side overcame near neighbors Presentation Kilkenny in the blitz final. It was a reversal of the result between the two sides in the opening group stages of the day and highlights how little there was between the sides.

The day seen schools from Kilkenny and Dublin taking part with some of the Kilkenny schools showing a serious drive and no little skill and a gap appeared throughout the group stages as the Kilkenny schools gravitated towards the top of the table. It ended up that the Cup competition was an all Kilkenny affair, while the Shield competition became Dublin schools only.

The final of the shield competition seen Mount Sackville face off against St. Mac Dara’s (Templeogue), following the Northside school winning their own local derby beating Castleknock CC in the semi final in what was a tight tussle. The final got off to a rip roaring start with some excellent performances on both sides. However, it was school based in Dublin 6 which proved to be too strong, winning out in the end.

The semi finals of the shield competition were both games played at high tempo, as Presentation Kilkenny (1) beat a resilient Castlecomer CS, while Loreto beat Presentation (2). This set up the final between the two teams who had performed most consistently throughout the day. The game was a cagey affair to start off with as girls who play with each other in club & county faced off but a purple patch for three minutes seen Loreto take a lead which was never relinquished. It was fitting that the player of the tournament also came from the Loreto side, as Nicola Carter (daughter of Kilkenny stalwart Charlie) got rewarded for her exceptional displays.

DCU would like to thank the teachers and coach drivers for their effort in bringing the students to this event. Great credit must go to the Ashbourne players and Bobbi Uram for their hard work in organising and running a successful day and to the ATT support offered by Stephen Carrass. A further mention then to the schools who participated; Loreto Kilkenny, Presentation Kilkenny, Castlecomer CS (Kilkenny), Castleknock CC (Dublin), Mount Sackville (Dublin) & St. Mac Dara’s (Dublin).