Courtesy: Galway News - Connacht Sentinel


Bish relinquish crown of All Ireland Futsal champions

November 23, 2010

There was no joy for the two Galway sides in the Connacht finals of the Post Primarty Futsal competition held in NUI Galway last Thursday, with defending All Ireland champions St Joseph’s College (the Bish) narrowly missing out on a place in the final in the boys’ section, while Colaiste Mhuire Ballygar finished bottom of girls’ section.

Schools from Galway, Sligo, Leitrim, Mayo and Roscommon participated in this action packed event, with a total of 85 goals scored in the 21 games over the two sections.

The Bish ran up the biggest scoreline of the day, hammering Grange of Sligo 10-3 in the group stage, but defeats to Roscommon champions Scoil Mhuire of Strokestown and Mayo champions St Murdeach’s College Ballina saw them finish third in the group, and miss out on the final.

The Bish opened their campaign with a 3-2 defeat to Scoil Mhuire, but put themselves back in the frame with that 10-3 win over Grange, and an equally impressive 7-0 win over Carrigallen of Leitrim. With St Murdeach’s having won their opening two games, it meant the clash between the two schools would decide who would join Scoil Mhuire in the final.

It was the Mayo side that prevailed, winning 2-1 to end the Bish reign as champions, and the Ballina school went on to win the final, running out 4-1 winners to capture the Connacht crown and advance to the All Ireland finals next month.

It was a Mayo double as Davitt College Castlebar lifted the girls’ title, beating Roscomon’s Elphin 2-0 in the final. It was a disappointing tournament for the Galway champions from Ballygar who lost all four group games to finish pointless. Elphin took 10 points from a possible 12 to advance to a final meeting with Davitts, who also finished the group stages unbeaten, winning two games and drawing the other two.

The eventual finalists played out a scoreless draw in the group stages, but it was Davitts who shaded matters in the final, making it a Mayo double on the day to advance with St Murdeachs to the national finals in Gormanstown in County Meath on Tuesday December 7.


Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com