St. Columbas comprehensive school Glenties travelled to Limerick last Friday for First Year All-Ireland Finals but were left disappointed by semi final defeat to Sliabh Luachra Rathmore, Co. Kerry.
The boys did exceptionally well to reach All-Ireland stage. In the North West region, they had comfortable victories over Ballinode VEC, Milford, Grange PP and Sligo Grammar School to qualify for the regional semi final where they defeated Mohill Community School. In the regional final, the Glenties boys proved too strong for Sligo Grammar in Sligo.
This seen the boys qualify for the All-Ireland play offs, where they were grouped with Galway CC Moneenageisha, Colaiste Lorcain Castledermot and St. Ciarans Kells. This was fixed for Nava on Sunday 22nd April. In their first game they defeated Galway CC on a score line of 42-15 and followed this up with a 35-21 victory over Colaiste Lorcain. This set up a winner take all match against St. Ciarans Kells, from which Glenties emerged 28-19 winners.
Unfortunately the boys came up short against a well drilled and much stronger Sliabh Luachra side in the All-Ireland semi final in the University of Limerick, losing out on a score line of 20 – 12. The loss of Christy Greene through injury also deprived the boys of one of their stronger players but ultimately they were defeated by a much stronger side.
Although disappointed by the defeat, it was a hugely successful year for the team and their coach martin Regan and for basketball within the school with the second years also getting to Regional Final and the u-16s winning an All-Ireland earlier in the year.
Panel: Eoghan McGettigan, Kieran Gallagher, Manus McDyer, Simon Breslin, Logan Quinn, Dylan Gallagher, Eoin McGuinness, John Gavigan, Daniel McLoone, David Moore, Patrick Gallagher, Michael Molloy, Tony Byrne, Paul Ryan, Christy Greene. Coach. Martin Regan
