Tannaghmore PS claim Ulster title for Armagh
Tannaghmore PS claim Ulster title for Armagh
30/06/2009
Tannaghmore PS from lurgan recently claimed they're second Ulster title in 3 years
Tannaghmore Primary school won the Ulster Mc Greevy Cup for the second time in three years last Friday in Pomeroy, County Tyrone. The foundations of this tremendous success were laid back in January, when the school had to first compete in the Armagh Championship, for the Edmund Murray Cup. The Armagh county championship would be considered by many, to be the most competitive in Ulster with twenty four teams entering this year. Tannaghmore won through to the final of the Edmund Murray by beating Keady, Silverbridge and St Peters Cloughreagh. In the final, Tannaghmore played St Mary’s Mullabawn, coached by former All Ireland winning goalkeeper, Benny Tierney. In a close and pulsating final Tannaghmore finished strongly to land their third All County title. As Armagh champions they entered the Ulster finals representing Armagh.
Friday saw the all county winners from Antrim, Derry, Fermanagh, Armagh, Tyrone and Down compete for the prestigious title of Ulster Champions 2009.
Tannaghmore were grouped with Antrim and Derry, while Down, Fermanagh and Tyrone competed in Group B. In their first game Tannaghmore faced St Anne’s from Belfast. Nathan Mc Cann in goals looked confident and strong from the start and his accurate kick outs linked up well with the midfield pairing of Conor Mc Conville and Barry Mc Cambridge. Joseph Fitzsimmons, Aodhan Mc Conville and Conor Turbitt all scored and Daire Mc Cormac linked up well. Tannaghmore competed well in defence, with Sean Keenan, Caolan Campbell, David Mc Cann and Ryan Owens playing solid football. Next up were the Derry champions. Although Tannaghmore lost an early goal, as has been the case all year, there was no panic and the young footballers regained their composure. Excellent midfield work again from Mc Conville and Mc Cambridge set the tone and Tannaghmore won out to top their group and set up a semi final place with the Tyrone champions.
In the first half of the semi final, Tannaghmore played with a massive wind at their backs and led at half time. It was their second half performance which was particularly impressive. Playing against the wind and with Tyrone playing with a target man in full forward, Tannghmore kept Tyrone scoreless. Caolan Maguire, David Mc Cann, Sean Keenan and the skillful Ryan Owens were outstanding in defence. Conor Mc Conville and Barry Mc Cambridge showed great skill and endeavour throughout. However it was the work rate of the forwards that caught the eye. Aodhan Mc Conville, Conor Turbitt and Joseph Fitzsimmons covered so much ground to track back and Daire Mc Cormac won every ball played in. Daire’s excellent link up play set up Barry Mc Cambridge to crash in the only goal of the game. This victory set up a repeat final clash of 2007 with St Dallan’s, Warrenpoint, Co. Down.
In the final Tannaghmore played against the strong wind in the first half. However the young footballers showed great basic skills and work rate. Nathan Mc Cann looked comfortable in goals throughout and caught and passed every ball that came his way with ease. Caolan Maguire and Sean Keenan were fantastic in defence. David Mc Cann, now playing in half back was strong and solid and Ryan Owens showed his sheer class and skill at every opportunity. Barry Mc Cambridge worked from forwards to defence and soon got the better of his midfield opponent. He made some great runs going forward and his passing was excellent. Captain Conor Mc Conville was the driving force behind everything in defence and attack. Conor showed great skill in beating his man and excellent vision throughout. Conor Turbitt and Aodhan Mc Conville found space each time and their workrate on and off the ball were immense. Both scored in every game which is a fantastic return. Daire Mc Cormac worked tirelessly in full forward and it was fitting that he should score the winning goal in the final, having come so close in each previous game. Joseph Fitzsimmons linked up well with his forward line and he showed great skill to take on and beat his opponent so many times.
All great finals should be tense and this one was no different. Leading by three points with two minutes to go Tannaghmore scrambled the ball out of their goal line, Caolan Maguire showing great skill and strength. When the ball was played up the field Joseph Fitzsimmons scored a great point and sealed victory for the Armagh champions. Conor Mc Conville lifted the Mc Greevy cup for Tannaghmore for the second time in three years. Tannaghmore now become one of four schools who have won this prestigious Ulster trophy more than once since its inception in 1973.
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