Gaelfast Hurling Shield Year 10
St Malachy’s v Colaiste Feirste
by Gaelfast reporter
Wednesday evening saw a hive of activity, action and entertainment on show at Dunsilly with the Finals of this year’s Yr 10 Hurling Antrim Shield and Cup competitions being held as a double header. On a bitterly cold night Antrim Games development staff and volunteers had the pitch flagged and ready to go for our first two schools competing for the Shield. Coláiste Feirste and St Malachys made up a ‘Belfast Derby’ after qualifying from the group stages through the semi final to today.
Referee Paddy Tumilty got the Shield final underway and before 20 seconds were gone on his watch, Coláiste Feirste had the ball in the back of St Malachys net to get off to a roaring start. The Antrim Road men steadied themselves and soon got a foothold on the game and by half time were ahead and deservedly so with some really well worked passages of play and fine scores too. Aidan Johnston and Brendan Herdman worked well in midfield as a partnership but were matched by Cillian MacRiocard and Sean Ó Cuinneagáin who was very influential throughout the game. Conor Stewart’s speed and direct running caused Coláiste Feirste and Caoimhín MacGafraigh a headache down the wing – the two of them would battle it out for the rest of the game time and time again with Caoimhín defending well and setting up attacks often.
Damien McCallin of Gaelfast presents the Year 10 Shield to St Malachy’s joint captains Aidan Johnston (11) and Cillan Baker
The second half started and St Malachys continued their form from the first half to increase the lead they had at halftime. To their credit, Coláiste Feirste managed to work to put St Malachys under serious pressure and created several scoring opportunities and, but for a few inches either side of the post the score line could have been a lot closer. They eventually managed to get a goal after a well worked move was finished expertly, however it was too little too late as referee Paddy Tumilty sounded the final whistle to the joy of the St Malachy’s team and supporters. Team Captains Aidan Johnston and Cillian Baker were presented with the 2025 Year 10 Hurling Antrim Shield.
