Magheramayo snatch Quiz Title ! The Annual Table Quiz for Primary Schools was held in Castlewellan GAA Club on Thursday 27 January 2010 with St. Matthew’s Magheramayo becoming Quiz Champions of Down. Many local schools accepted this opportunity to reveal their expertise on all aspects of Irish cultural and general knowledge. Each school was represented by a team of four and this year 15 teams competed for the coveted Peter Walsh Trophy and the honour of representing their county at the Ulster Final at Greenvale Hotel Cookstown at a later date. The competition involved a ten round table quiz which included questions on history, geography, sport, folklore, politics, music and famous people, all with an Irish connection. As always the children enjoyed their participation in this year’s keenly contested event. After three rounds the top team positions were as follows: 1st St. Matthew’s Magheramayo on 16 points 2nd St. Joseph’s Carryduff on 15 points 3rd St. Colman’s Abbey with 14 points with a host of other schools just points in arrears. By the end of the sixth round the excitement was mounting with St. Joseph’s Carryduff in the lead by one point from St. Colman’s Abbey Newry and St. Matthew’s Maghgeramayo in joint second place 1st St. Joseph’s Carryduff 30 2nd St. Colman’s Abbey Newry 29 2nd St. Matthew’s Magheramayo 29 After nine rounds, an intriguing situation had developed with Carryduff still in pole position with the Magheramayo team breathing down their necks just a point in arrears and St. Patrick’s Newry completing top three positions : 1st St. Joseph’s Carryduff 44 2nd St. Matthew’s Magheramayo 43 3rd St. Colman’s Abbey Newry 41 Going into the final round, there was a buzz of excitement in the hall as Magheramayo still having the ability to overcome Carryduff While several teams had the opportunity to gain one of the four places in the Ulster Finals. After the final round, the team positions were: 1st St. Joseph’s Carryduff 49 1st St. Matthew’s Magheramayo 49 3rd St. Colman’s Abbey Newry 45 4th St. Patrick’s Downpatrick 41 This result necessitated a further round of questions to establish the Down County Quiz Champions of 2010. St. Matthew’s Magheramayo claimed this at the expense of the gallant St. Joseph’s Carryduff team. After the competition, Mr Collie Bell, Quizmaster and Cathaoirleach Cumann na mBunscol an Dúin, congratulated all the schools who participated, thanked Mr Paddy Hardy for composing the quiz and he also thanked Castlewellan GAC for the use of their excellent facilities. The top four teams were invited to represent Down in forthcoming Ulster final in Cookstown in March. Mrs Magaret Walsh, relict of the late Peter Walsh, presented the Peter Walsh Trophy to the winning team, St. Matthew’s Magheramayo and complimented all the children on their level of interest in, and knowledge of, their Irish culture. She thanked all the teachers and principals for encouraging the children’s involvement in this competition and wished the four county representatives every success in the Ulster Finals. St. Joseph's Carryduff unluck to lose in extra round !