Coláiste Choilm crowned champions

THE Jack McCann U-15 soccer tournament crown was captured by Coláiste Choilm, Tullamore on Thursday last following their impressive 2 nil victory over Gallen CS at the excellently presented Leah Victoria Park.

The sides also clashed during the group series of the tournament and a keenly fought encounter ended in stalemate, 2-2.

Coláiste Choilm dished out heavy defeats to Oaklands Community College, Edenderry (7 nil) and Coláiste na Sionna, Banagher (4-1), thereby sending them through to the semi-finals as the Group 2 winners.

Gallen secured their semi-final berth as group runners-up and they drew with West Offaly rivals Coláiste na Sionna 1-1 and convincingly overcame Oaklands CC by 3 nil.

Coláiste na Sionna did defeat Oaklands 3-1 but this success wasn’t enough to preserve their interest in the competition and their group exit ended their double hopes as a week earlier their U-18’s were triumphant, securing a dramatic 8-7 penalty shootout verdict against Tullamore College.

St Brendan’s CS, Birr topped Group 1 with wins over Tullamore College (2 nil) and Ard Scoil Chiaráin, Clara (1 nil). Ard Scoil Chiaráin and Tullamore College played out a goal-less draw and it was Clara who went on to the semi-finals as group runners-up owing to their superior goals against record.

The semi-finals produced only goal during regulation time. Coláiste Choilm disposed of Ard Scoil Chiaráin by 1 nil, while St Brendan’s CS were ousted by Gallen CS following a penalty shootout, 5-4.

In the final, Coláiste Choilm were the masters and their 2 nil win meant they came through their five game campaign with a goals for tally of 16 and just three against. Statistics rarely lie and the Tullamore school were very worthy champions.