The playing fields echoed with energy, skill, and spirit as schools from across Ulster came together for the much-anticipated Festival of Football, honouring the memory and legacy of three remarkable young men: Connor Marron, Aidan Walsh, and Conal Gould. The annual event, growing in stature and significance, featured competitive football, high sportsmanship, and a vibrant sense of community.
Fixtures & Format
The tournament featured eight schools, split into two competitive groups:
Group A
- SLG 1
- St Patrick’s Keady
- St Joseph’s Donaghmore
- St Malachy’s Belfast
Group B
- SLG 2
- Coláiste Feirste
- St Pius X Magherafelt
- St Mary’s CBS
Each team played group fixtures to determine placing’s for the prestigious Connor Marron Cup and the Aidan Walsh Shield knockout rounds. The structure ensured that every game counted, as the top sides from each group advanced to compete for the Cup, while the next tier battled for the Shield.
Connor Marron Cup Final
The tournament culminated in a thrilling final between St Louis Grammar 1 and St Joseph’s Donaghmore. It was a match worthy of the Connor Marron name — passionate, fast-paced, and full of quality. In the end, St Joseph’s Donaghmore emerged victorious, lifting the Connor Marron Cup after a spirited display of teamwork and determination.
Donaghmore’s Ruan Cavanagh was the standout performer throughout the competition, displaying outstanding leadership, composure under pressure, and moments of sheer brilliance. His consistent excellence earned him the coveted Conal Gould Player of the Tournament Award.
Aidan Walsh Shield Final
The Aidan Walsh Shield was no less competitive. In a clash of flair and grit, St Patrick’s Keady overcame a strong and determined Coláiste Feirste side. The final was a showcase of developing talent and tactical awareness, with Keady’s composure in key moments proving decisive. It was a fitting tribute to Aidan’s love of the game and the players who play it with pride and purpose.
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