Girls League Winners: Oda, Erin, Grace, Anna and Chloe.
Over the last number of weeks soccer fever has gripped the school. As soon as the rain showed any sign of abatement the bibs were on and the teams took to the field. 61 children competed in league and cup competitions.
From first to sixth class the teams were chosen and arranged around their respective captains. Links were formed through the year groups as encouragement was given and tactics discussed for each clash. A crowd gathered around the results and fixtures board and possible permutations were discussed at length.
Boys League Winners: Blaine, Cormac, Jack C, Jack H and Alfie.
When the games began they were sporting and fair and the level of skill on show was impressive. Teams with “star” players had to decide whether they would rely on one talent or try to bring everyone into the game. The latter tactic paid the better dividends as the league progressed and the well organised sides rose up the rankings.
The girls league had five teams and Oda’s team of Chloe, Grace, Erin and Anna proved to be the winners with a game to spare. Oda showed both skill and leadership in getting her team across the line. Grace was magnificent in goal winning the golden gloves award along the way.
Boys Cup Winners: Declan, Ronan, Jimmy, Dylan and Andrew
The boys league was exciting and unpredictable. What appeared to be a two horse race was blown wide open by Niall and Paul as things began to get exciting. Daniel changed tactics half way through and put together a fine run of results that took him from bottom to third and left us wondering what his team might have achieved if the switch had been made earlier.
The fixture computer had thrown up the two big teams as the last match of the league and what a game it proved to be as Augustine and Blaine faced off in the “winner takes all” final fixture. A draw would see Augustine through but Blaine had to win to take the title. A cagey first half saw Augustine in goal for the first time in an effort to protect the point and take the title. A stunning drive on the stroke of half time gave Blaine the lead and saw Reece don the gloves for the second half.
Girls Cup Winners: Oda, Aoife, Erin, Grace and Anna
James and Augustine attacked like Suarez and Sturridge in the second half but Cormac was unbeatable in goal and Blaine put the matter beyond doubt with only seconds on the clock with a second stunning goal. Blaine, Jack C, Alfie, Jack H and Cormac had taken the title.
The cup competition was a straight knock-out and the magic of such ties was demonstrated when Declan defeated Blaine and Daniel did the same to Augustine to reach the final. The final itself was a cagey affair with nothing separating the sides at the end of normal and extra time. Penalties were called for and Jimmy emerged the hero as he saved the sudden death kick to give the cup to Declan.
Rachel wins top scorer while Grace wins best keeper.
A big thank you to Daniel and Blaine who ran the line in every game that they were not playing in. And special thanks to fixturelist.com for making the organisation and record keeping so easy. Full details of the scores and tables can be found at the links below.
Cormac wins best keeper while Blaine wins top scorer.
