The Dundalk IT  7-a – side GAA Tournament for U16 Boys  took place last Wednesday 13^th April with Largy College Clones, Castleblayney College, Our Lady Castleblayney and Patrician High School all participating

Played in the Dundalk IT campus, a total of 22 teams from schools across Louth, Meath, Monaghan, Cavan and Armagh competed for the Brendan Carthy Cup.

 All teams played 3 games in their group stages with Castleblayney College, Our Lady Castleblayney and title holders Patrician High School progressing to the cup competition while Largy College Clones made their way to the Shield.

 In the knockout stages of the Cup, Patrician High School received a bye while, Castleblayney College who had previously topped the group stages exited the competition having been beaten by De La Salle Dundalk on a 2-03 to 3-06 scoreline. Likewise their neighbours Our Ladys Castleblayney,  who after a very tough battle against St Paul’s Bessbrook saw them lose out by a single goal as the Orchard men clung to a 4-04 to 3-04 victory.

 The  knock out stages of the Shield were full of drama as a number of matches ended in draws requiring penalty shoot outs.

Dessie Mone’s Largy College Clones and St Oliver’s Oldcastle Meath both made their way to the penalty spot.  The tension was palpable as the players lined up for their chance however it was the sharp shooters of Clones who moved forward and set up a  quarter final meeting against Ashbourne. After an entertaining encounter it was the Meathmen who eventually  put Largy to the sword though with a comfortable 3-06 to 1-05 win.

 All eyes then focused on Patrician High School as they kept the Monaghan interest alive. In the cup quarter final the  Carrickmacross outfit had a facile 3-09 to 0-01 win over Colaiste na hInse, Laytown Meath while St Mary’s Diocesan Drogheda proved no real threat either in the semi-final going down 0-04 to 1-09.

 Having come through the other side St Paul’s Bessbrook set up a mouth-watering all Ulster final clash as the South Armagh men set out to dethrone Martin Mill’s charges.

Played at a very high tempo Patrician High School got off to a great start and raced to a 1-01 to no score lead.    St Paul’s did manage to claw it back to a one point game but, as the saying goes “goals wins games” and it certainly proved crucial as Patrician High School, secured a 2 point winning margin to retain their title for the 3^rd year in a row beating Marty O’Rourke’s men 1-04 to 0-05

 Amid rapturous celebrations, Brendan’s wife Mary Carthy presented the cup to the Patrician High School captain Seamus Kindlon (Inniskeen) and vice-captain Conor McKeown (Magheracloone) on what continues to be a trophy laden successful year for the Carrickmacross school.

 All winners and runner ups were also presented with DkIT GAA sports garments that were sponsored by CX Sports.

 Patrician High School Team:

Andrew Woods ( Inniskeen), Seamus Kindlon (Captain,  Inniskeen), Kieran Shevin ( Drumcondra/ Meath Hill), Eddie Walsh ( Killanny), Liam Og Murray ( Magheracloone), Sean Burns ( Corduff), Ciaran McNulty ( Inniskeen), Oran Martin ( Donaghmoyne), Fionn O’Callaghan (Corduff), Barry Kierans ( Magheracloone)

 St Pauls Team:

Seamus Loughran (Ballyholland), Ronan McGuinness ( Kileavey), Conor Magennis ( Kileavey), Niall Magennis (Kileavey) Ciaran Cosgrove ( Kileavey), Zygimentas Burnmzcicas ( Dromintee), Ryan Hughes ( Dromintee), Sean McGinity ( Dromintee), James McVerry ( Newtown), Adan Davidson (Newtown)