Comhghairdeas to our Gaelic Footballers who attended the Academy Blitz today. Under blue skies, the ‘Sky Blues’ blitzed the opposition to walk away with both titles. Wow!
We are all very proud of you! An historic day for St. John’s. Well done!
Thanks to the club and parents for their support.
Girls Large Schools Competition
In the group stages, the girls played St. Mary's Cabragh, Our Lady's Tullysaran and St. Patrick's Donaghmore. Great goalkeeping, defensive, midfield and attacking play ensured that the girls topped the group comfortably, in unseasonably poor weather.
After the lunchtime break, the quarterfinals commenced. The girls were drawn against Edendork. Some intelligent play and positional changes saw the girls cruise into the semifinals against Cabragh. Whilst the girls had already beaten St. Mary's in the group stages, Cabragh appeared rejuvenated and had clearly done their homework. However, the Moy girls delivered a great running and attacking performance, sweeping the opposition aside to book their slot in the final. The final, against St. Anthony's, Craigavon turned out to be quite a tame affair with the Moy controlling the majority of the game, this allowed the girls to relax and the scores came thick and fast. At the final whistle, the girls celebrated but also displayed a great level of sportsmanship to St. Anthony's, we commend you for this.
At the Presentation, Mrs Mc Veigh and her staff from St Patrick's Academy chose Grace as the most valued player, there was no doubt that she was instrumental in the performance of the team. To crown the day off, Sarah lifted the cup to rapturous applause. Well done.
Boys Large Schools Competition
The Moy boys had a repeat of the girls' fixtures and easily topped their group, St. Mary's Cabragh and Tullysaran gave a really good account of themselves and made the Moy lads work for the victories.
After lunch, the quarterfinals commenced, this is the business end of the day where defeat means an early bus home. St. John's were drawn against St. Patrick's Annaghmore and after a nervy start the boys eventually settled down and booked their spot in the semifinals. This turned out to be a rather contemptous fixture as St. John's were drawn against their parish rivals, Blackwatertown. Friends off the pitch, these two schools have faced each other many times but in the heat of battle no quarter was given on either side. St. Jarlath's started strongly and controlled most of the game but a bit of tenacity and guile from St. John's got them over the finishline and a place in the final. As the girls had already been crowned champions, the boys knew they had to live up to their reputation, so no motivational talk required ahead of the final, against Roan, P.S.
The final was played under blue skies and sunshine, which led to a ferocious and heated battle. Roan were by far better prepared and executed a brilliant game plan, leading at the halftime whistle. The second half saw the Moy shift up a gear in both effort and teamwork to draw level with Roan. At full time, the referee instructed the players that the next score wins, thankfully St. John's kept possession and secured the vital and deciding score to claim the overall title. Commiserations to Roan, it is a hard way to lose a tournament and this fixture could have gone either way, no doubt the two sides will meet again in the near future.
Well done to the boys and especially their "never give up attitude!” We are all very proud of you.
Thanks to the parents who came along to support the players and witness an historic double.
Finally, thank you to Michael Conroy and Liam Slater, who coach these pupils on a weekly basis, this guidance and instruction is invaluable to our pupils, we really appreciate it.
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