GAELIC FOOTBALL SPECIAL

School teams enjoy tough tests

Hundreds of kids from across Scotland took part in the annual Coatbridge and District Primary Schools Gaelic Football Tournament.

Nearly 40 teams and over 500 boys and girls took to the pitch.

The competition mainly welcomes youngsters from Coatbridge, but also hosts several schools from outside of the Monklands area.

St Joseph’s Primary boys team were amongst the top performers over the four days of football as they won the Coatbridge Davitts Gaelic Football Cup by defeating St Timothy’s Primary in a hard fought final.

St Timothy’s girls went one better than their counterparts and kept up their schools great reputation at the sport, deservedly winning the Gaelic Football Friendship Cup beating Langloan Primary in the final.

In the Championship trophy St Augustine’s girls won the Premier Championship Shield - with another close contest against St Monica’s Primary.

St Augustines boys helped their school win the double and the Premier Championship Football Cup with victory over St Mary’s Primary.

The legacy of Gaelic Football in Monklands can be seen in the warm response the sport has received in the wider community.

The local Gaelic Football Project keeps many of these children playing the sport into the early years at high school throughout the year.

The project brings together youngsters of all abilities from around North Lanarkshire regardless of ethnic, nationality, religious, social, cultural or economic background or circumstances.

The event was sponsored by John Meechan of CarDean Couriers Ltd and supported by North Lanarkshire Council.

Kick off The Old Monklands girls enjoying the good weather

Game faces The Old Monklands Primay boys take to the field

Pitch perfect Summer football for the boys at St Augustine’s

Gaelic goals St Monica’s Primary boys squad

Come together The full St Monica’s boys team

Fun The Greenhill boys are all smiles