It was a memorable opening day of the Cumann na mBunscol football finals at Laois Hire O’Moore Park on Tuesday, with 14 county titles decided across a packed schedule of games.
There were dramatic finishes, outstanding individual performances and historic victories as primary school pupils from across Laois took to the county grounds in pursuit of silverware.
The action began at 10am and continued throughout the afternoon, with plenty of goals and excitement for the large number of families, teachers and supporters in attendance.
One of the most dramatic finishes came in the Division 2 Boys Shield final, where Ratheniska NS edged Gaelscoil Phortlaoise by 3-7 to 3-6.
Ratheniska were celebrating again later in the morning when their girls’ team defeated Emo NS by 6-6 to 2-10 in the Division 2 Championship final.
Killadooley NS also enjoyed a hugely successful morning, claiming two Shield titles.
Their boys defeated Portlaoise Educate Together NS by 8-6 to 4-7 in the Division 3 Shield final before the girls followed suit with an emphatic 11-4 to 1-3 victory over Rosenallis in the Division 5 Shield.
It was a particularly special afternoon for Abbeyleix South NS, who made history by winning the Division 5 Boys Championship in their first-ever appearance in the Cumann na mBunscol competition.
There was another historic success in the Division 5 Boys Shield as Cosby NS claimed their first-ever Cumann na mBunscol title with a comprehensive 5-18 to 2-8 victory over St Pius X Ballacolla.
The Heath NS were also among Tuesday’s winners, overcoming Emo NS by 7-10 to 5-5 in a goal-filled Division 2 Boys Championship final.
In the Division 3 Boys Championship, Scoil Bhríde Clonaslee defeated Scoil Mhuire Fatima Timahoe by 4-9 to 3-5, with Wynne playing a leading role in their success.
Timahoe did have reason to celebrate later in the day, however, as their girls secured the Division 6 Shield with an 8-7 to 7-6 victory over St Abban’s NS Killeen.
Shanahoe NS were convincing winners in the Division 4 Girls Championship, defeating Paddock NS by 6-12 to 1-1.
St Abban’s NS Killeen claimed the Division 4 Boys Championship following a high-scoring 12-11 to 6-4 victory over Clonaghadoo NS.
Clough NS also got their hands on silverware after overcoming Castlecuffe NS by 4-5 to 1-3 in the Division 5 Girls Championship final.
Ballyadams NS were crowned Division 3 Girls champions after defeating St Abban’s NS Killeen by 4-9 to 3-2.
The day’s action concluded with an impressive performance from Arles NS, who defeated Castletown by 7-22 to 1-5 in the Division 4 Boys Shield final.
It brought the curtain down on a hugely entertaining first day at O’Moore Park, with 14 schools celebrating county titles.
The Cumann na mBunscol finals will return to O’Moore Park on Thursday, October 22, when another ten titles will be decided.
See results and links to all the match reports from today below:
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20
Division 2 Boys Shield
Gaelscoil Phortlaoise 3-6 Ratheniska NS 3-7 – See Report Here
Division 2 Boys Championship
Emo NS 5-5 The Heath NS 7-10 – See Report Here
Division 3 Boys Shield
Portlaoise ETNS 4-7 Killadooley NS 8-6 – See Report Here
Division 2 Girls Championship
Emo NS 2-10 Ratheniska NS 6-6 – See Report Here
Division 5 Girls Shield
Killadooley NS 11-4 Rosenallis NS 1-3 – See Report Here
Division 5 Boys Shield
Cosby NS 5-18 St Pius X Ballacolla 2-8 – See Report Here
Division 3 Boys Championship
Scoil Mhuire Fatima Timahoe 3-5 Scoil Bhríde Clonaslee 4-9 – See Report Here
Division 5 Boys Championship
Abbeyleix South NS 10-10 Gaelscoil Thromaire 4-7 – See Report Here
Division 6 Girls Shield
St Abban’s NS Killeen 7-6 Scoil Mhuire Fatima Timahoe 8-7 – See Report Here
Division 4 Girls Championship
Paddock NS 1-1 Shanahoe NS 6-12 – See Report Here
Division 4 Boys Championship
St Abban’s NS Killeen 12-11 Clonaghadoo NS 6-4 – See Report Here
Division 5 Girls Championship
Castlecuffe NS 1-3 Clough NS 4-5 – See Report Here
Division 3 Girls Championship
Ballyadams NS 4-9 St Abban’s NS Killeen 3-2 – See Report Here
Division 4 Boys Shield
Arles NS 7-22 Castletown 1-5 – See Report Here
SEE ALSO – Check out all our Cumann na mBunscol coverage here
