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Boys' Indoor Football Championship 2009 |
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Newry Boys win Indoor Football Championship Boys’ Indoor Football Championship 2009  St. Colman’s Abbey P.S. winners of Indoor Football competition with Mr Eddie Sweeney ( principal on left ) and Collie Bell ( coach on right ) St. Colman’s Abbey P.S. Newry retained their Cumann na mBunscol an Dúin Indoor Football title in An Riocht Sports complex last week. Nine schools had battled their way through preliminary heats at various venues to qualify for the finals. These schools were: St. Patrick’s Legamaddy, St. Mary’s Aughlisnafin, Ballyholland, St. Patrick’s Boys’ Downpatrick, Carrick P.S. Burren, St. Mary’s Newcastle, Holy Cross P.S. Attical and St. Colman’s Abbey Newry. St. Patrick’s Legamaddy started off with great gusto beating St. Mary’s Aughlisnafin and Ballyholland with comparative ease. In their final match they encountered defending champions St. Colman’s Abbey Newry and outpointed them to top their section. Carrick P.S Burren won their section handsomely while St. Patrick’s Boys’ Downpatrick were runners-up. This left the following semi-final pairings: St. Patrick’s Legamaddy v St. Patrick’s Boys’ DownpatrickCarrick P.S Burren v St. Colman’s Abbey Newry thus guaranteeing an East Down v South Down final. In the first semi-final, Legamaddy proved to be too strong for the boys from a much larger school, winning by four points. The second semi-final, an all south affair, was a repeat of last year’s final and it was most obvious with the mutual respect each team displayed for their opponents. It ended all square and indeed Carrick can consider themselves most unfortunate to be beaten by the narrowest of margins in extra time. Now the Abbey boys had to face Legamaddy in the final and considering Legamaddy had already accounted for Abbey in the sectional game, we knew we were in for an interesting game. Legamaddy had been playing some superb football with all the passing and defending skills evident on their march to the final while Abbey had been underperforming and could consider themselves fortunate to be there. The game proved to be an exciting affair with a late penalty award to the Abbey being most influential in the outcome. Legamaddy responded well to this setback but inaccurate shooting let them down as they struck the woodwork on two occasions. At the final whistle, the defending champions were the winners by two points. Both team coaches and all those present appreciated the skill and enthusiasm shown by the finalists. After the final, Mr Collie Bell, Cathaoirleach Cumann na mBunscol an Duin, complimented all those who had participated in this year’s competition and, in particular all those present on the finals day, for the high level of skills and sportsmanship displayed. He praised the resilience of this Legamaddy team who had remained undefeated until the final . The Indoor Football Champion shield was then presented to Abbey captain Jordan Pinnington. Mr Bell thanked An Riocht for the use of their excellent facilities and in particular Joseph Donnan who made everybody so welcome to the Sports Hall. 
Captain Jordan Pinnington receives the trophy from Down coach Benny Coulter. 
St. Patrick’s Legamaddy beaten finalists with coach Mr. Kevin Burns
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