Gaelscoil an Ráithín retain the Allianz Cumann na mBunscol title with victory over Ballylanders

GAELSCOIL an Ráithín are relative newcomers to the Allianz Cumann na mBunscol story but they were crowned county football champions in 2023 and showed that it was no fluke by retaining the title this year after overcoming Ballylanders, 5-9 to 2-1 in the final.

Gaelscoil an Ráithín retained their title with a display of sparkling football. Moving the ball at speed, the City champions were good value for their win and led at the interval by 2-5 to 1-1.

Ballylanders NS, with All-Ireland referee Johnny Murphy on their backroom team, never stopped battling and did their school proud.

Among the scorers for Gaelscoil an Raithín were: Páidí Mullins 1-3, John Coyne 2-0, William Conway 1-1 and Oisín Purtill (capt.) 0-2.

Andrew O'Brien captained Ballylanders NS in the final. Ballylanders were strong throughout the field and can be very proud of their display.
Ciarán Crowe of Cumann na mBunscol Luimnigh presented the County Football Shield to Gaelscoil captain Oisín Purtill.

All eyes turn now to the Celtic Image Shield (Girls Football) which will be played in Martinstown on Wednesday November 13.

Played in perfect conditions in Martinstown, the three games were great examples of the high standard of Gaelic Football in the primary schools in all four divisions of the county.

Ballylanders faced off against Lisnagry National School in the first of the semi-finals where the Ballylanders boys hit the ground running and played sparkling football from the throw-in, leading the contest at the break 2-3 to 0-1.

There was a great improvement in the Lisnagry performance in the second-half. Both sides found the net twice but Lisnagry had left themselves with a mountain to climb and it was the South champions who advanced to the final.

This was a most enjoyable game between two fine teams who were very evenly matched. Indeed, both teams scored just twice in the first half but one of the Gaelscoil scores was a goal which gave them an advantage at the break.

The second-half exchanges were closely contested and there was a good standard of football throughout.  Gaelscoil had clinical finishers in their forward line and added two goals to their tally while some resolute defending saw them restrict a fine Adare team to a single point.