Eastern U-13 Football Finals
Walsh Park was the venue for last week’s East Waterford Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Boys Gaelic Football finals. In conditions that could be only described as being the first signs of winter, eight teams contested the four divisional finals up for grabs on the day. Despite the cold northerly wind that howled through the grounds, a sizeable crowd attended in support of their various local primary schools that were fighting it out for the all important silverware on offer.
Ballygunner were back in action once again, after their girls’ side had contested the previous day’s Roinn A final. Hoping to go one better than their female counterparts, who were unfortunately on the losing side, the Ballygunner boys faced the defending champions, St. Declan’s. Unfortunately, this was a fairly one-sided affair with the defending champions proving the stronger of the two teams on the day, as they dominated the scoring with a total of 1-7 to Ballygunners’ 0-1. One must commiserate with those in the red and black of Ballygunner, finishing in the runners-up spot on both occasions. However, St. Declan’s deserved their victory, defending their title of Roinn A champions.
Next up, was the Roinn B battle between PortlawNS and ButlerstownNS. Interestingly, both these team had already met in this year’s championship at the group stages, with Butlerstown dominating the match on that occasion. Nevertheless, the scoreboards were blank as an reiteoir Francis Lonergan threw in the ball, and all past duels counted for naught, as the game took hold. Butlerstown’s minds seemed to be still in the dressing rooms as Portlaw got to the half-time mark with a deserving lead of 1-3 to 0-0. Having the previous encounter’s result in their mind still, Portlaw, under the guidance of Daivd Kirby, knew that Butlerstown would certainly have their scoring opportunities, as he sent out his blue and gold men in a focused purposeful manner for the second period. The second half was very much even-stevens, as both teams hit the back of the net on one occasion each. But, Portlaw had done enough in the first half to become deserving Roinn B champions, in what was truly an outstanding team performance on the day.
Similar to Ballygunner, RathgormackNS had teams in both the girls and boys finals. With the girls having won the Roinn B championships comfortably, the pressure was now on the boys from the foothills of Waterford’s famous ComeraghMountains to deliver further silverware to the village. In this Roinn C final, the green and red of Rathgormack faced their near neighbours of Killrossanty, another parish noted for their preference for the liathróid peil over the sliothar. This was another decent game with both teams playing a high standard of football, scoring some beautiful scores at either ends. But it was the Killrossanty boys who secured the higher total on the scoreboard, finishing with an impressive 4-8 to Rathgormack’s 1-5, enough to take the crown of Roinn C champions.
The final title on offer was the Roinn D award, which was eagerly contested between two of the county’s smaller schools, as Carrickbeg’s Crehana took on Newtown/Ballydurn. Crehana were indeed favourites going into this final as, not only were they defending champions, but they were also going for the prestigious honour of three-in-a-row. As the game progressed, it became clear that the Carrickbeg boys wouldn’t have it all the own way, as spectators were greeted with what was the closest contest of the day – four points a piece at half-time. In the second half, it was Crehana who provided the most scores, securing a further 2-3, to take the victory on a final scoreline of 2-7 to Newtown / Ballydurn’s 1-4. An excellent game to wrap up affairs it must be said.
A big thank you must be given to all those who helped out on the day to make the Allianz Cuman na mBunscoil Boys Football Finals a success on the day – Pat Carroll, caretaker of Walsh Park, Francie Lonergan for refereeing the matches, the committee of Eastern Phort Lairge Cumann na mBunscoil and to the pupils, schools, teachers, principals and parents of all those involved on the day.
Results:
Roinn A
Ballygunner 0-1
St. Declan’s 1-7
Roinn B
Porlaw 2-3
Butlerstown 1-0
Roinn C
Rathgormack 1-5
Killrossanty 4-8
Roinn D
Crehana 2-7
Newtown / Ballydurn 1-4
