Classy Patrician boys retain Brendan Carthy 7-a-side crown

PATRICIAN High School, Carrick maintained their stranglehold on Brendan Carthy U-16 7 aside GAA competition in Dundalk Institute of Technology on Wednesday 5th of April. This is the 4th year of the Carthy Cup and Patrician has won the competition every year.

On Wednesday they met some stern competition and overcame a valiant Colaiste ris team in the semi final by a single point. In the final they met Boyne CS managed by Monaghan star Vinny Corey but came out on top of a high scoring encounter.

It was a hugely successful day at DkIT Sports Ground where the DkIT GAA Club welcomed over 240 students to the campus on the day to play some very attractive football. Their was 24 teams on the day and some high profile coaches such as Shane O’Rourke (Meath GAA) Declan Byrne and Conall McKeever (Louth GAA) on the side-lines.

With DkIT coaches Oisin McConville and Shane Lennon scouting it was a great platform for the students to showcase their talents on the pitch.

After the group stages the competition was split in to Cup and Shield. Up first in the shield final was St Oliver’s Oldcastle vs De La Salle Dundalk coached by Pauric Staunton and Declan Byrne and after a closely contested first half De La Salle just got the much needed goals to pull away from a hugely talented team in St Oliver’s and win the game. Speaking afterwards Declan Byrne noted the great platform the tournament gives these young players to perform and the exposure to play against teams from a variety of counties.

In the Cup final 3 time winners Patrician High took on Vinney Corey’s Boyne CS. Going into this game Boyne came off the back of a last gasp winner to beat St Joseph’s CBS but after such a gruelling game it seemed to sap the energy of the players. They had to deal with wave upon wave of attack from Patrician who had the bit between their teeth and punished the tiring Boyne side. Patrician went on to win their 4th in row which is no mean feat.

Congratulations to all schools and coaches involved for their excellent attendance and behaviour and also thank you to our sponsors CX Sports and Sevens Buses.