Schools from the 3 districts that make up Antrim Cumann na mBunscol gathered at St. Louis Grammar school in Ballymena on Monday to decide the destination of 4 All County 7s titles. The various teams were welcomed across the day by Cumann na mBunscol representative Jim Brady who congratulated them all on being district winners and therefore reaching the County Finals Day.

First up was the Girls’ Football competition. Representing NA, and appearing in the event for the first time, were St. Brigid’s PS Ballymoney. Joining them were South West representatives St. Mary’s PS Portglenone and St. Anne’s PS Belfast. After an excellent hour of competition the girls from the banks of the Bann came through as winners and team captain Aine McErlean lifted the trophy.

Referee Brendan Toland had barely time to check his notes as the Camogie competition swiftly took centre stage. Joining the above-mentioned St. Mary’s and St Anne’s in this competition were the NA champions, St. Patrick’s & St. Brigid’s PS from Ballycastle. It proved a very worthwhile journey for the young camogs from the seaside town as they emerged as winners after a very competitive final game against St. Mary’s Portglenone. Team captain Isla McKendry was presented with the silverware following her team’s win.

Hurling took centre stage next with 3 new teams involved. Representing Belfast were St. John the Baptist PS and they were joined by St. Anne’s PS Corkey and Mt. St. Michael’s PS from Randalstown. As the section played out the “final” game emerged as the decider with St. Patrick’s and St. John the Baptist doing battle for the title with the boys from Corkey winning the tightest of games. Team captain James McMahon was presented with the cup at the end of this enthralling game.

Finally the boys of St. Joseph’s PS Dunloy, St. Patrick’s PS Rasharkin and St. Bride’s PS Belfast battled for the remaining football silverware. A competitive competition again produced a final pairing of the Belfast champions v South West winners. In a nip and tuck final St. Bride’s emerged victorious over St. Patrick’s. Team captain Sean McGrath lifted the cup for his victorious side.

Thanks from all involved go to our referee Brendan Toland, to Mr. Gillan and Marty from St. Louis Grammar school for making all of the arrangements and for the use once again of their fantastic facilities and to Bert from Saffron Gael who remained on site until the final ball was kicked some 4.5 hrs after the competition started. A special word of thanks to our 4 umpires, pupils from the school, who remained at their posts (excuse the pun) diligently throughout the day.   

Each competition produced a player of the tournament with those selected being:

Girls Football: Bella Scullion (St. Mary’s PS)

Camogie: Aoibh McCloskey (St. Patrick’s & St. Brigid’s)

Hurling: Eddie McIvor (Mt. St. Michael’s PS)/ Brendan Murtagh (St. Anne’s Corkey)

Boys’ Football: Conan Graham (St. Bride’s PS)

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