The wonderful new pitch at Coláiste Ailigh in Letterkenny looked better than the playing surface at Croke Park as teams from 18 clubs throughout the county took to it today for the elite All County U12 Blitz.
Teams competed in four divisions for the honours and Donegal Daily trophies and medals.
And what a superb display of football in this tournament which has been specially devised by the county board of the Donegal LGFA to see the best talent and future stars for our Ladies county teams.
Development officer Donal O Searcaigh with U14 team manager Dermott Foy and County Secretary Siobhan Coyle were all on hand to watch the games.
County chairman Micheál Naughton was also there to present medals and trophies to the finalists.
He said he wanted to pay tribute to the girls, their parents, their coaches and their clubs for continuing to develop the ladies game throughout Donegal.
He also had a special word of thanks for Coláiste Ailigh Príomhoide Micheál O Giobúin who hosted the tournament today.
“It was a wonderful gesture and the facilities laid on for the teams were second to none,” said Naughton.
Senior county players and U14 county players were on hand to lend their support. And new junior referees took charge of the games.
Afterward O Searcaigh said: “We’d like to thank Donegal Daily for sponsoring the trophies and medals.
“This was our second all-county blitz, with teams graded this time based on their performances on their first day in Convoy. I believe tournaments like this will help massively to develop players for the future.”
St Eunan’s won the Division One title, winning all their group games before defeating Termon in the final.
Both sides showed skill and determination throughout but it was the Letterkenny side which won out in the end.
In Division 2 the girls from Downings took the title and the trophy back to Rosguil with some superb performances throughout. Maith sibh.
The Division 3 campaign saw an epic battle between St Mary’s Convoy and Red Hughs and it was Convoy who took the title by just a single point. Both sides played some great football with no doubt future county stars among their ranks.
And there are celebrations in the Twin Towns tonight after Mac Cumhaills girls won the Division 4 title.
Pictures courtesy of Donal O Searcaigh, Donegal LGFA.
