Mr McCormick writes: “Shimna's first foray into Ulster Schools U14 started well at St John's outside Castlewellan today. The headline is that Shimna won two games and lost one to qualify for the final of the Corn Uladh cup, and will play New-Bridge Integrated College in the next fortnight.
Shimna started against St Columba's Portaferry, a team that Shimna defeated well earlier in the year. From the first throw in it was clear that St Columba's had improved since they last played and were ferocious in their tackling. Shimna though drew first blood with Darragh Russell scoring two quick fire goals and Gerald Smyth pointing from an acute angle. St Columba's roared back and actually took the lead with two goals and two points without reply from Shimna who were struggling to find their previous fluency. However, they dug deep and Darragh and Gerald scored again to give Shimna the win by 4 points.
Shimna 3-3 St Columba's 2-2
In the next game Shimna took on Fort Hill Integrated College and Shimna immediately went for goal and Darragh Russell scored another. However, Fort Hill didn't make it easy for Shimna and dug deep, even scoring a point and having a goal chalked off for a foul. But then Dara McGrath went on a mazy run and scored past the keeper to settle the nerves. A great goal from Tom Heaney Sloan and a smart point by Darragh Ruddell scored again to put the tie beyond Fort Hill.
Shimna 3-1 FHIC 0-1
In the final game Shimna went up against the team that looked in form, New Bridge Integrated College. The New Bridge team looked much taller than the Shimna team but before long both teams were putting on the best show of the day. New Bridge hit the first point of the game but Tom Heaney Sloan again popped up to equalise with a well taken point. New Bridge kept plugging away though and were rewarded with a point over the bar to leave them one up at half time.
Shimna came roaring out after half time and equalised the tie through captain Darragh Russell, but unfortunately the low sun on the day twice blinded keeper Ollie Reid with high balls coming in which crept into the net. It was a cruel end to a very even match, but one that gave the lads hope for the final in the next fortnight.
Shimna 0-2 New Bridge 2-2
Date for the Corn Uladh final to follow!”
