The Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Béal Feirste Football Championship Finals were held in Casement Park Belfast in Tuesday 3 April. Contesting the three finals were;
St. Matthew’s and St. Bernard’s (Carragher Cup, Boys “B” Championship),
St. Kieran’s and St. Anne’s (President Mary McAleese Cup, Girls Championship) and
St. Colman’s and St. Bride’s (Raffo Cup, Boys “A” Championship)
All six schools had progressed to the finals through qualifying tournaments at Woodlands Playing Fields involving Cumann na mBunscol’s 45 affiliated Belfast schools. Experienced referee Padraig Mullan officiated at all three games. Last year Padraig officiated at the Leinster Senior Football Championship semi-final in Croke Park.
A large crowd of parents, pupils and teachers from across the city attended the finals which were keenly and sportingly contested. The “long road” from Woodlands to Casement ended in victory for St. Matthew’s from Short Strand taking their first ever football championship, St. Kieran’s girls retaining their football title and St. Colman’s from Lambeg securing a first ever win in the prestigious Raffo competition.
(Left) County Youth Officer Tony McCollum presents the Carragher Cup to St Matthew's captain Francis Rice. (Right) The victorious St Matthew's team with the Carragher Cup.
All sights are now set on the football trials next term to secure places on the Belfast teams to take on their Dublin counterparts in the annual City Games at Croke Park in June.
(Left) County Youth Officer Tony McCollum presents the President McAleese Cup to St. Kieran's Captain Nicole Kelly . (Right) The victorious St. Kieran's team with the President McAleese Cup.
At the presentation ceremonies afterwards Cumann na mBunscol spokesperson Rosemary Devlin (PRO) thanked South Antrim GAA Divisional Board for their continuing support in providing the Woodlands complex for the development of Gaelic Games in primary schools. Chairman Paul Sloan expressed special thanks to Games Development Officers Liam McGoldrick and Kieran Megraw for their assistance throughout the championship programme and to County Secretary Jim Murray for the availability of Casement to the city’s young Gaels on their “big day”.
(Left) County Youth Officer Tony McCollum presents the Raffo Cup to St Colman's captain Conor Johnson . (Right) The victorious St Colman's team with the Raffo Cup.
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