Whitehall win local Ballyboro tournament
Whitehall NS, A final winners of the soccer tournament organised by Ballyboro FC, with Ms Hazel Hannon, Lanesboro Community College Principal.
The fifth annual five-a-side tournament for local national schools organised by Ballyboro FC, in association with Lanesboro Community College, was, once again, an outstanding success.
Golden goals, super saves and terrific teamwork were in abundance across the 32 games played over a four-hour period. The following 12 schools participated: Cloontuskert, Lanesboro, Ballyleague, Ballagh, Ballyfeeney, Cloontagh, Fermoyle, Slatta, Clooncagh, Whitehall, Newtowncashel and Kilteevan.
The teams were divided into two groups of six teams in each group. The group winners contested the A final, with the two runners-up qualifying for the B final.
A very well-balanced and skillful Whitehall team defeated a very game Ballyfeeney team in the A final. The B final between Cloontuskert and Newtowncashel was a titanic struggle between two very committed teams. It took the “Golden Goal” to decide the issue, with Cloontuskert emerging victorious.
Ms Hazel Hannon, Lanesboro Community College Principal, presented the Peter Kelly Memorial Shield to Thomas Duffy, captain of the Whitehall team. Sinead Murray, captain of the Cloontuskert team, was presented with the shield, sponsored by the school.
A series of outstanding displays from Amelia Bury from Lanesboro NS was rewarded as she was the recipient of the Player of the Tournament award. A stunning long-range strike from Ben Smith of Ballagh NS saw him win the Goal of the Tournament, while Owen Grehan was a worthy recipient of the Save of the Tournament trophy.
Tournament organiser, Eamonn Bolger, expressed his appreciation to all the teachers and team mentors for their help and co-operation. He had a special word of commendation for students Rian, Leon, Nathan, Patrick, Eoghan, Taras, Nathan, Matthew, Ben, Orla, Ellen and Anna who refereed all the games and undertook many of the logistical tasks that ensured the smooth running of the tournament.
He also thanked Lanesboro Community College Principal, Ms Hazel Hannon, alongside teachers Mr Paul Donnelly and Mr Ronan Mulvey for their assistance.
Ballyboro FC will organise a similar tournament for younger pupils next May.
