Skills galore at Offaly Cumann na mBunscol competition
Over 120 of the best hurlers, camogie players and footballers from the 59 primary schools in Offaly took part in last week’s annual Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Uibh Fháilí Skills Competition.
The skills competition which is run by Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Uibh Fháilí is used to assess and select children to represent Offaly at the INTO Allianz Cumann na mBunscol half time exhibition games which take place during half time interval at the All Ireland Semi Finals and All Ireland Final in Croke Park.
The boys and girls football skills competition took place in Clara GAA pitch on Wednesday, April 26.
The football skills assessment involved a long kick based on the distance the ball travels - 3 kicks with each foot (6 points), crouch lift and kick where they must kick the ball over the bar three times with each foot (6 points) and a cross bar challenge (6 points).
Emily Lynam Carroll from Pullough N.S. was the winner of the girls football skills competition. Katie Cuskelly, Ballinagar N.S., Leah Stack Killeigh N.S. and Annie Mulhare St. Mary’s N.S. Cloghan were placed in the joint runner up position.
Scott Mannerings from Scoil Phroinsiais Naofa, Clara was the winner of the boys football skills competition and Sean Grennan , St. Cynoc’s N.S. Ferbane was second. Patrick Óg Moore, Scoil Bhride Croghan and Rhys Mulligan, Scoil Mhuire Naofa Rhode were placed in joint third place.
The hurling and camogie skills competition took place in St. Rynagh’s GAA pitch on Thursday, April 26.
The hurling and camogie skills assessment involved ground striking on left side and the right side a distance of 21 metres (6 points), jab lifting and striking a ball on the run over the bar from 21 metres on left side and on the right side (6 points) and finally a long puck on the left and on the right (7 points).
In the camogie skills competition, Kate Harris , Kinnitty N.S. was the winner. She was closely followed by Bronagh Mulrooney, Seir Kieran N.S. in second place. Ava Tooher , Coolderry N.S. was placed third and in joint fourth place were Kate Brady, Killeigh N.S. and Ruth Claffey, Rath N.S.
The hurling skills competition was won by Conor Mahon from Carrig N.S. In second place were Keith O’Rourk, St Colman’s N.S. , Mucklagh and Cillian Maloney, Scoil Cronan Naofa, Dromakeenan. Taylor Evan, Ballinamere N.S., Cillian Moran, Rahan N.S., Colm Boylan, St. Rynagh’s N.S., Harry Larkin Killeen N.S., Frank Scanlon ,Clara B.N.S. and Ryan Legace from St. Brendan’s Boys School Birr were placed in joint third place.
Conor Mahon (hurling), Kate Harris (camogie), Bronagh Mulrooney(camogie), Ava Tooher (camogie),Scott Mannerings (football) Sean Grennan (football) and Emily Lynam Carroll (girls football) now go through to represent Offaly at the Allianz Cumann na mBunscol half time game at the All Ireland Semi Final and All Ireland Final in July later on this year.