Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Lú Autumn Finals

The week leading up to the first school mid-term break saw the culmination of eight Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Lú football competitions as boys and girls from the four corners of the county descended upon the Darver all-weather pitch in a bid to etch their schools’ names in CnmB history.

On Tuesday, three rural finals were played out. First up, the boys from Monksland NS were back in the final of Sciath Uí Dhuinneachdha after their narrow defeat in last year’s decider. They faced a St Kevin’s NS side who, while unfancied, battled hard to make their way to the showpiece.

And in the first half, St Kevin’s gave the team from Cooley a scare as they matched them score for score. A slight halftime lead was all Monksland could muster.

However, the experience gained from last year’s final stood to Monksland as they came out in fine form in the second half to claim the title with a flurry of scores.

St. Kevin’s girls were immediately given the chance to put the disappointment of the first final to one side as they lined out against another Cooley side, Muchgrange NS, in a repeat of last year’s Corn Setanta Final.

While last year’s final was a thrillingly close affair, the inexperience of the youthful Muchgrange side was no match for the Philipstown school, whose team included many players from last year’s victory.

The main event was the final of Corn Sheán Mac Cába as the girls from Tenure NS lined out against the girls from Tullyallen NS.

Tenure’s powerful play and direct running yielded dividends early on as they raced into a four-point lead. A goal apiece in the latter stages of the first half left the score 1-4 to 1-0.

Tullyallen, in truth, weren’t at their best in the first half, but they came out all guns blazing in the second period and put Tenure under immediate pressure, reducing the deficit to a single point at one stage.

Tenure then found their second wind and re-exerted their dominance towards the end of the game, however, running out worthy winners on a scoreline of 2-5 to 1-3.

Thursday was the turn of the urban schools as four finals were played out in a series of games that could possibly have been the closest set of finals in CnmB history.

The two girls’ games were played out simultaneously as it took extra time for St Paul’s to overcome St Malachy’s in the final of Sciath Uí Mhearrúin while two late, late points by Scoil Mhuire na Trócaire meant they retained Corn Oriel by the minimum against a fine Scoil Mhuire na nGael side.

In the first boys’ final, the Bay Estate school found themselves in the final of Corn Sheamus Ó Maoltuille against Mell NS in a repeat of the 2022 decider.

The Dundalk side had the majority of possession and chances in normal time, but the gritty Drogheda side stuck with them and forced the encounter to extra time.

During the additional 10-minute spell, Mell stepped up a gear as they held their counterparts scoreless and tacked on a goal and a point to take the title.

The Division One Final, between Monastery, Ardee and St Oliver Plunkett NS was, yet again, a nail-biter. Matching each other score for score they went into the break at 1-2 apiece.

A tense second half followed with the side from Blackrock having the majority of possession, but they failed to capitalise initially.

Twice Monastery scored goals on the break to get within touching distance of reclaiming Corn Mhic Ardail after a three-year gap, but the boys from Blackrock dug deep and, deservedly, got the scores that saw them run out 3-3 to 3-2 winners on the evening.

The last day before mid-term was one to remember for the boys of Kilcurry and Tallanstown as they squared up in the final of Sciath Mhic Raoise.

Those in attendance were treated to, arguably, the most exciting final of the week. Two teams did battle in the best possible way – with attacking, skilful, uncompromising football.

A three-point half time lead by Tallanstown NS was deserved, but precarious given the quality of both teams. And so it proved as scores rained in at either end of the pitch.

The lead changed hands no less than four times in the second half, but in the end, that three-point lead was not enough as the Roche natives ran out winners on a score-line of 4-7 to 3-7.

While Cumann na mBunscol football competitions take a break until the new year, the second half of term one will see the annual Allianz CnmB all-county quiz and the Louth-Meath girls’ representative blitz in Dunganny.