BY MICHAEL O’LEARY
With the Cumann Na Mbunscoil Primary Schools competition winding down for the summer over the next forthnight, this is traditionally a busy time of the year on the playing field as the Primary Schools Finals will almost bring the curtain down on the school year.
Already, the Primary Schools Camogie Finals were played in Gowran on Sunday May 28th with five finals played on an action packed day, while at time of writing the hurling finals are still to be played but will be played off over the next two weeks.
Playing in a Primary Schools Final is a very special occassion in the life of a young boy or girl, and it has a particular special emphasis as it’s the first final for many players.
As mentioned, the Primary Schools Camogie Finals that were sponsored by KCLR were played in Gowran on Sunday May 28th with five finals played on a glorious summer’s day.
The days activites began when Moneenroe recorded a comprehensive victory against Conahy in The Roinn F Final.
The closest final of the day followed in the Roinn D decider that was contested by Paulstown/Goresbridge and Tullaroan as extra-time was required to decide the outcome.
Paulstown/Goresbridge produced a terrific fightback to retrieve a 6 point deficit and force extra-time as the teams finished level at 2-4 apiece, before the Barrowsiders prevailed 3-6 to 3-4 to land the spoils.
St. Aidans Kilmanagh won the Roinn C Final against Freshford, while Coon-Muckalee won the Roinn B Final against Tullogher-Rosbercon.
A hectic days activities concluded with Clara prevailing in the Roinn A Final against Scoil McCauley Rice to round off a magnificent days Camogie.
The KCLR Shield Finals have taken place since then with Urlingford winning against Glenmore, Presentation Kilkenny winning against Slieverue, Kilmacow won out against Dunnamaggin, while Rower-Inistioge were victorious over Thomastown.
Meanwhile, at time of writing there were two Shield Finals still to be played.
Graigue Skeough were to play Lisdowney last Monday, while on Tuesday it was an all City Derby between Gaelscoil Osrai and St. Canices.
In the Hurling competitions, Gowran National School and Scoil McCauley Rice will play both the Crotty’s Pharmacy Roinn A Final and the Corn De Bhaldraithe Final, with The Gowran School looking to complete a clean sweep having won The Roinn A Football Championship and Country Cup double during the winter months.
Scoil McCauley Rice defeated their Gowran counterparts in he final round of league matches in early May.
In the Roinn B competition sponsored by Top Oil, the semi-finalists are Coon Muckalee, Kilmanagh, Graigue Skeough and Clara, while in the Roinn C Crotty’s Pharmacy competition, Freshford overcame Bennettsbridge to qualify for the final, while the other semi-final will be contested between Kilkenny CBS and Rower-Inistioge.
The Roinn D Final will be played between Windgap and Tullaroan, while finally the Corn Ui Bhriain semi-finalists are St. Johns, Lisdowney, Bennettsbridge and Freshford.
Check out https://kilkennygaa.ie/ for all the up to date details.
Primary Schools Finals are very special occassions that provide long lasting memories.
