Milltown NS take spoils in Iggy Fulham tournament
On a beautiful summer morning in the resplendent Milltown GAA grounds, the fifth staging of the Iggy Fulham Memorial National Schools Football Tournament went off very smoothly last Wednesday (June 5).
A range of referees and helpers – on the pitch and in the kitchen – ensured a wonderful few hours’ entertainment for pupils, teachers, parents and various onlookers.
The following schools participated in the main event, the Iggy Fulham Memorial Tournament: Milltown National School, St Michael’s NS, Castletown-Geoghegan, Mullingar Educate Together National School, St Brigid’s NS, Ballynacargy, Sonna NS, Dysart NS.
A highly entertaining final saw Milltown NS edge out Mullingar Educate Together NS by 3-5 to 2-5, despite trailing to the Danny Bishop and Liam Brennan-inspired side by 2-5 to 1-0 at the break.
However, with Matthew Gunning, Luke Gunning and Sarah Dillon outstanding, the local school got on top in the second half and ultimately triumphed by a goal amid scenes of great joy.
Scorers
Milltown: M Gunning 3-1 (0-1f), L Gunning 0-3, S Dillon 0-1. Educate Together: L Brennan 2-5 (0-1f).
Milltown NS panel
Harry Pendred, Dylan McCaffrey, Owen Coakley, Matthew Gunning, Luke Gunning, Sarah Dillon, Jack Murtagh, Ben Hesnan, Wayne Smith, Jack Hayes, Conor Gibney, Frankie Moffitt, Clodagh Dillon, Jason Molloy, Josh Burke, Thomas Harnett, Eddie Moffitt.
Mullingar Educate Together NS panel
Danny Bishop, Tumelo Tlou, Damola Sotona, Matthew Hope, Patrick Kupferschmidt, Willie O’Donoghue, Liam Brennan, Craig Farrell, Dylan Glancy Flynn, Lisa Allen, Sorcha Darby Weir, Nadia Azizi, Brendan Killian, Darren Mguni, Katie Jennings, Maolíosa Ní Leannacháin.
Ref
Aaron Craig.
In the St Thomas’ Shield Tournament, the following competed: St Thomas’s National School (Rathowen), St Mary’s NS (Finea), Emper NS ‘A’, Emper NS ‘B’, St Michael’s NS (Castletown-Finea) and Moyvore NS.
The final was an all-Emper affair which the ‘A’ team won comfortably.
After the games ended in glorious sunshine, the excellent MC for the day, Ned Flynn gave a typically witty talk to the assembled children before Iggy’s father, P J Fulham spoke emotionally about the occasion and the rewards garnered by children from competing in sport.
St Loman’s, Mullingar and Westmeath star, Paul Sharry then presented the plaques and medals to the participants to round off a memorable few hours of Gaelic football.
See this week's edition of the Westmeath Examiner for full photographic coverage.