TICKLED PINK!

The remarkable victory in the Classic Mineral Water Small Schools Tournament saw the prestigious title return to north Antrim for the first time in almost 20 years.

The tiny school - which currently has just 74 pupils - showed it could mix it with the big boys, seeing off much larger, more established schools to lift the gong.

The seven-a-side tournament was staged in Portadown recently and boasted the cream of local football talent at primary school level including Tonagh who had lifted the cup three out of the past four seasons.

But rather than shy away from the mammoth task facing the local squad, the Dervock team put in fantastic performances.

The first match against Bronte was a nervy affair with few chances throughout the 90 minutes which ended in a 0-0 stalemate.

However Dervock got their first win under their belts in the next match against a strong Bessbrook team.

A brace from Daniel McCreadie sending William Pinkerton to an impressive 2-0 victory.

In the final qualifier the locals put in an incredible effort to overcome Donegall Road courtesy of a Kenny Kane goal.

The final pitted William Pinkerton against the mighty Tonagh who were expected by many to sweep aside their north Antrim opposition.

However the Dervock outfit dominated the game and had it not been for the heroics of the opposition goalkeeper could have been celebrating an emphatic victory.

The match finished in a draw ensuring both sides shared the title but the Tonagh contingent insisted the trophy would return to Dervock as they felt they were the more deserving on the day. The last local school to win the competition was Rasharkin back in 1992.

The victory capped off an incredible year for the school.

Under the guise of coaches William and Lorraine McConaghie they also won the James Elliott Cup, Gowland Shield, Coleraine Small Schools Cup and Sandra Stewart Shield. They were also beaten finalists at tournaments in Loughgiel and Coleraine.

Principal of William Pinkerton Memorial School Sandra Stewart told Times Sport:

"Everybody at the school is extremely proud of the achievements of the school football team.

"They have been absolutely marvellous this year.

"This is a group we have been quietly excited about for the past couple of years and William was confident they were going to be very good.

"It is marvellous for such a little school to come out as one of the two top teams in football in Northern Ireland this year.

"The school is very appreciative of the work of coaches William and Lorraine.

"They have been coaching football here for a number of years on a voluntary basis and we are very appreciative of their work and support."

Teacher Jacqui Galbraith said: "They were outstanding and everyone is very proud of them. It was just fantastic and one of the highlights in all my years of teaching."