Cumann na mBunscol Chill Mhantáin Finals 2020 Part 1: The Semis

The Cumann na mBunscol Chill Mhantáin Finals took place in Ballinakill Centre of Excellence on Friday the 6th of March.

After topping our group at the qualifying blitz at the end of January, there was much confidence that we could bring home the South Wicklow Cumann na mBunscol title for 5th/6th class at the first time of asking.

The four qualifiers for the Finals Day were: Scoil Mhuire na nArd, Shillelagh, Coolafancy, Annacurra NS and ourselves, Ballyconnell NS.  

An Cluiche Leathcheannais/The Semi-Final

The draw pitted us against Annacurra NS in the semi-final. Playing against a strong breeze in the first half, we played some superb football. Fiach and Conal scored a goal each in that first period. Midfielder Darragh scored Ballyconnell’s first point of the day and Fiach also chipped in with two points from play, the second of which came on the stroke of half time after great build-up play between Cormac and Conal.  

At the other end, goalkeeper Aaron was very accurate with his kick-outs. Corner backs Evan and Anna were also working very hard to keep the Annacurra chances to a minimum. All of this great work meant that at half-time, the score was 2-3 to 0-1 to Ballyconnell.

We would have wind advantage in the second-half but Annacurra NS really upped their game. They got through on goal on numerous occasions but found Aaron very hard to beat. And when they did finally make the breakthrough, Ballyconnell responded instantaneously at the other end; Jean unselfishly laying the ball off for Conal to get his second goal of the game.

When the final whistle sounded, we had eight points to spare on a scoreline of 3-4 to 1-2.

Ballyconnell NS vs Annacurra NS: Aaron, Anna, Evan, Cormac, Emily, Darragh (0-2), Fiach (1-2), Abi, Conal (2-1). Iondaithe: Phoenix, Sarah, Niall D, Faye, Jean, Seán.