Five - star tournament at Cross and Passion

CROSS and Passion has hosted cumann na mBunscoil tournaments for the past decade.

It is a collaboration between cross and Passion P.E department and cumann na mBunscoil committee represented by Ms. J Donnelly(head of P.E department and Mrs Mc Gouran (North Antrim Committee member ) respectively.

This partnership meant that local primary school hurlers and camogiers had a venue and organised competitions and CPC were able to complete a community sports leader award module.

This is a well organised certified course where the students develop leadership skills through the medium of sport.

It is an enrichment course offered to year 13 students at CPC, which develops their organisational and communication skills. Skills that are valued by the business industry as well as third level education. Ten years ago only a Camogie Competition was represented and the sport and interest generated by these tournament days mean that now, numbers of schools and participants have increased. So now three day tournaments from November to January are now organised and include both camogie and hurling. This has been a very successful and an on going partnership – which continues to go from strength to strength.

The day was a huge success with eight teams participating; Braid PS, St. Ciarans Cusendun, St. Olcans Armoy, Glenann PS, St. Brigids Ballymoney, Barnish PS , Seaview Larne and St. Johns Carnlough.

Just a taster of the matches played:

St. Johns Carnlough Vs Glennann

A very competitive start for both sides but a break through goal from Daniel Mc Quillan broke the silence and made an excellent opening to a hard fought game. Another Daniel this time Daniel Black made it 2-0 from a superb strike at the half way line. Glenann were battling outside the semi-circle but Carnlough were solid in their defence led by Pearse Mc Auley their goal keeper. A difficult cross in front of their own nets by Carnlough allowed Glenann to come back with brilliant two in a row from Conor Mc Hugh and Declan Mc Keegan. Both teams battled fiercely to the end and no one looked like giving up with a final score of 2-2.

Braid Primary school Vs St Ciarans Cushendun

An early goal for braid was conjured from a great individual effort from Owen Best. A very spirited match throughout with most ball being battled hard in the midfield area. St Olcans goal keeper Ronan Mc Clafferty pulled of some spectacular saves whilst Braid edged 4-0 in the lead.

Barnish Vs Seaview

You could see that sea view were on their toes right from the beginning but a quick shot at the goal keeper from Daniel Martin was defied by Sean Murphy. A fantastic first goal was scored by Daniel Martin once again. The striking quality on the pitch was great from both sides. Another clinker of a goal made it a hat trick for Daniel Martin to leave the score 3-0. Seaview broke through with a bottom right hand corner goal from Shane Mc Gill made the final score 3-1.

Ballymoney Vs Seaview

An even start from both teams but the quite early goal from Shane Mc Gill, a few more attempts on the Ballymoney goal but the keeper doing well and pulling off good saves.

A great long range goal again from Shane Mc Gill put them 2-0 ahead. Seaview put a lot of pressure on the Ballymoney goal and earned the goal as their reward. Another goal from seaview led to a hat trick succession for Shane Mc Gill who went on to win joint player of the tournament. Ballymoney still fought hard and won a goal back leaving the final score 5-1.

The final - Barnish Vs St Ciaran Cushendun.

In a nail biting encounter between such rivals the atmosphere was electric in CPC sports hall. Both teams were bouncing before hand each getting an inspirational team talks from their managers. The crowd knew they were in for a treat. The quality of indoor hurling was second to none with some excellent saves from both keepers, Turlough Mc Bride (Barnish) and James Morgan (Cushendun) Barnish were finding it hard to break through St. Ciarans defence. A clinker of a goal finished the game from the superb Leo Morgan which left a final score of 1-0.