Qualifers
Loughlinstown Leisure Centre was a hive of football activity for the qualifying rounds of Allianz sponsored Corn na Mílaoise, the indoor football tournament for boys in third and fourth classes on 2nd February. The boys from all the schools demonstrated great skill and commitment and served up a feast of fantastic football.
Defending champions Scoil Chualann proved that they were as strong a force in ’05 as they were in ’04 and were just as determined to hold onto the silverware. They came out on top of their section with victories over St. Cronan’s, Newtown and a draw against Dunlavin. Their final match against Dunlavin was a real humdinger. The boys from Bray were in front at half time, but true to form the boys from the west fought bravely to level the match. Darragh Mac Aodh brought off some brilliant saves to keep Scoil Chualann in the match. Others to catch the eye were Piaras Mac Suibhne, Cuan O’Scollain and Daire O’Lochain. In group two St Fergal’s proved to be too strong for St. Kevin’s, while St. Laurence’s were luck to earn a draw against Kilmacanogue. Players who impressed in this group were Jamie MacTiernan, aaron Power, Kevin Byrne, Barry Morgan and Gary Murphy.
Meanwhile over in Roundwood eight teams participated in the qualifiers. In group one Valleymount, Gaelscoil Inbhear Mór, Gaelscoil Chill Mhantáin and Arklow BNS played some really exciting matches with Valleymount just edging out Arklow. In group two St. Pat’s of Wicklow came out on top with Rathnew, Ashford and Roundwood putting up some very good performances.
Thus the six qualifiers for the finals of this exciting competition were: group one St. Fergal’s, Dunlavin and St. Pat’s, and in group two: Scoil Chualann, St. Kevin’s and Valleymount.
Cumann na mBunscol Cill Mhantáin is grateful to St. Cronan’s teacher Dave Barry for organising the Loughlinstown qualifiers and Pádraig Corbett for organising the Roundwood venue.

Finals
The finals of the Allianz sponsored Corn na Mílaoise were run off in an exceptionally sporting manner in Loughlinstown Leisure Centre on 9th February. The standard of football was extremely high, and it is a tremendous credit to all the hard work that teachers are doing with younger pupils in the national schools of County Wicklow. The continuity of football and quick interchanging of passes was a joy to behold.
The six teams which qualified from the previous week’s competitions were divided into two sections, with last year’s winners, Scoil Chualann, St. Kevin’s and St. Pat’s contesting group one. Group two consisted of Dunlavin, Valleymount and St. Fergal’s.
In group one Scoil Chualann got off to a flying start by defeating St. Kevin’s in a tightly fought contest. St. Patrick’s managed to overcome the holders before taking on St. Kevin’s. This was a very tight affair with excellent defensive displays from both teams with the county town side finally shining through courtesy of two goals from Cathal Whelan.
In group two it proved to be very difficult to find a triumphant team, as both Dunlavin and Valleymount could not be separated. Both teams had beaten St. Fergal’s in close matches. At the end of normal time the teams were level, and even after extra time they still could not be separated. On a penalty shoot-out Valleymount qualified on sudden death rule.
However the final proved to be too big a bridge for Valleymount to cross after their heroics against their near neighbours. St. Pat’s played very well in the final and attacked and defended as a cohesive unit. Both teams deserve huge credit in getting to the final and in the manner in which they represented their respective schools.
St. Pat’s: Gary Browne, Conor Ffrench, Mark Thornton, Matthew Cullen, Niall Hanton, Mark O’Sullivan, Cathal Whelan, Cian Verney, Eoin O’Sullivan and Simon Boucher.
Valleymount: Paul Foster, Mark Miley, Shane Browne, Dowey Harpur, Aidan Condon, Conor Twomey, Lee Reid, Jamie Miley, Jimmy MacCormack and Amby Miley.