Girls' INTO Football 2009

Girls’ INTO 7s Football Finals  -  Castlewellan double !

St. Malachy's Castlewellan INTO Football Champions 2009

The INTO Girls’ Football Finals which was held in Annsborough Playing Fields, attracted an entry of 13 schools from throughout county Down . Due to the large attendance, a factor which reinforces the belief of the popularity of the game, it was necessary to have the competition run off in four sections with the top teams qualifying for a semi-final place. Based on their form in previous years events and in the recently completed Girls’ Indoor championship, the favourites tag rested on the shoulders of St. Joseph’s Carryduff and St. Malachy’s Castlewellan with Carrick P.S. also due for consideration. In the opening games of Group 1, St. Joseph’s Carryduff easily overcame St. Mary’s Newcastle and Ballyholland while Holy Family Teconnaught trounced Ballyholland and were much superior to the Newcastle girls. The Carryduff and Teconnaught girls then put on an epic contest with goals in abundance and the favourites winning by the narrowest of margin to move into the semi-finals. In Group 2 Castlewellan easily accounted for both Lower Mourne and Kilcoo having a combined score of 9-8 in the two games to gain a place in the semi-finals. They were joined by St. Dallan’s Warrenpoint, who were superior to St. Patrick’s Saul and Carrick P.S.,  and Holy Cross Attical who beat both St. Bronagh’s Rostrevor and St. Mary’s Aughlisnafin.

 Results

The semi-final draw was as follows:

St. Joseph’s Carryduff             v          St. Dallan’s Warrenpoint

St. Malachy’s Castlewellan     v          Holy Cross Attical

In the first semi-final, St. Dallan’s Warrenpoint attacked the Carryduff goals from the throw in and at one stage it appeared that an upset was on the cards but these young ladies from St. Joseph’s were made of sterner stuff and withstood the onslaught to run out winners by a score of 2-4 to 1-1. In the second semi-final, St. Malachy’s Castlewellan were much too strong for Holy Cross Attical winning by a score of 2-4 to 0-0. So the two teams who had competed so fiercely for the Indoor championship were once again in opposition in another final. Both teams had accumulated huge scores in their qualifying games and all those present knew they were in for a treat.. The final proved to be a fascinating encounter with both teams displaying all that is good in team football, plenty of attacking moves, high fielding and blocking skills in abundance. It’s a pity that one team had to win but eventually the strength and accuracy of the St. Malachy’s team proved decisive as they won the game by four points. Result:

St. Joseph's Carryduff beaten finalists.

In presenting the trophy to St. Malachy’s Castlewellan, Brendan Rice Runai Cumann na mBunscol an Dúin congratulated the winning team on achieving this year’s double by adding the INTO 7s title to the Indoor Championship they won just prior to Easter. He commended all those who had participated in the event acknowledging the increase of interest shown in this year’s competition and the high level of skill and enjoyment evident on the day. He invited the Castlewellan team to represent Down in the forthcoming area finals on 20th May as he presented the trophy to Castlewellan captain Anna Rogan.

Action from the Teconnaught versus Ballyholland game