P1& 2 Cup winners Naomh Padraig who beat Dunloy after two periods of extra time

On Saturday 25th August, Naomh Padraig organised their annual P1-2 and P3-4 hurling tournament in Armoy. Following on from last years success this tournament turned out to be an even bigger success with over 300 children getting the opportunity to play and develop their skills.

There was 32 teams taking part on the day with teams coming from Down, Tyrone, Belfast, South Derry and North Antrim to make up 4 groups of 4 in each age section.

After the initial group sections, all teams moved into knockout stages with the top 2 in each group qualifying for the Cup competitions and the bottom 2 going into the shield competitions.

So finally after 3 1/2 hours of hurling we were set for the finals in each section. First up was the shield finals.

P1-2 Shield winners Loughgiel Shamrocks

In the P1-2 shield final host club Naomh Padraig 2 played rivals Loughgiel 2. After a tense game loughgiel won by one point.

In the P3-4 shield final Naomh Padraig 1 and St Galls had qualified for the final. Naomh Padraig got off to a great start but St Galls fought back to level matters. However the young lads of Naomh Padraig found a late goal to take home the cup.Naomh Padraig who beat St Gall’s in the final of the P3-4 Shield

Next up were the Cup competition finals. In the P1-2 section – Dunloy 1 had made it through to play the hosts Naomh Padraig 1. In a final where the standard was extremely high it ended a draw and the game went to extra time. After 2 minutes of extra time both teams couldn’t be separated so it was down to golden score – next score wins. And it was the Naomh Padraig lads who conjured up a brilliant goal to take the cup.

P3-4 Cup winners Ruairi Og Cushendall who beat Ballycastle in the final

In the P3-4 Cup final local rivals Ruairí Og met the boys from Ballycastle McQuillans. Again the standard was extremely high but it was the boys from Cushendall who held out to claim the cup.

Overall it was a fantastic day of hurling – the weather was kind to everyone and the organisation and hospitality of the Naomh Padraig club ensured that everyone went home happy and more importantly all the young boys and girls involved had a fantastic day of hurling.

Some of the teams who took part in Naomh Padraig tournament

The action!

Players and parents take shelter in the marquee during a rain shower