There was great excitement among the boys and girls when it was announced that we would be partaking in two Cumann na mBunscol competitions in 2019/20 – the joys of being a border school!

With the Carlow competitions done and dusted in term one, the dawn of 2020 would see the beginning of the Wicklow comórtas. Unlike Carlow Cumann na mBunscol, Wicklow’s competition would see the boys and girls of 5th and 6th class join forces in a mixed competition.

Training with Mr Byrne and Ms Dolan began soon after we returned to school in January. It took place on Tuesdays after school.

It being January, the weather was often bitterly cold. There was one day in particular where hailstones pelted down. Everyone (teachers included) hared to the dressing room! Afterwards, training continued on, even though many players couldn’t feel their hands for a while!

The big day out, the blitz, took place on Friday, January 31st. We all piled onto a bus (those were the days!) and headed for Aughrim. When we got there, Ms Dolan and Mr Byrne divided us up into two teams. Luckily, each Ballyconnell team was in a different group, meaning we wouldn’t be playing each other.

 

Both teams were very competitive in their groups and played some lovely football. Both teams experienced success and a little disappointment too. Foireann 1 had a few good wins and an excellent draw with Annacurragh NS, while Foireann 2 won all their games apart from a narrow loss to Coolafancy NS.

After all the results were in, the organiser, Wicklow county footballer Darren Hayden, announced that Ballyconnell’s Foireann 2 had qualified for finals day! 

Regardless of results, everyone had a lot of fun training and playing together getting ready for this blitz. Hopefully, Covid-permitting, Wicklow Cumann na mBunscol will return in 2021!