St Joseph’s Boys’ High School, Newry came away from Castlewellan with no trophy in hand, but the Year 8 Gaelic footballers still delivered the kind of performance that leaves a lasting impression.
A selection of the school’s Year 8 players travelled to St Malachy’s Castlewellan last Friday for the annual competition organised by the school’s Year 14 students.
By the end of the day, St Joseph’s had fought their way through the group stage, produced a brave semi final win over a team that had already beaten them once, and pushed all the way to the final before falling to a strong home side.
That run alone says a lot about the group. Winning four of six group games is no small return in a competition like this, especially for players still finding their feet in school football. Reaching the semi final was earned. Reaching the final took even more.
St Joseph’s built that run with hard work all over the pitch.
At the back, Brian Heaney, Harry McAleavey, and especially Sean Loye stood out with strong defending, while Daithi McDonnell brought energy and drive as the team worked its way out from the back.
In the middle third, Kailum Digney and Luke Dinsmore gave the side real momentum, carrying the ball at opponents and helping turn that work into scores.
Further forward, there was no shortage of threat. Declan Lennon showed sharp pace and took some fine scores, while Conor Hollywood kept working for the team throughout the day.
Will Donegan made a major impact in front of goal, scoring heavily and also showing quality in possession with clever passes that opened chances for others.
Calum Foye added a valuable goal and looked dangerous whenever he came into the game.
One of the biggest performances of the day came between the posts. Mickey Boriskins produced a series of outstanding saves to keep St Joseph’s alive in key moments.
Read More: PJP Lady Jaguars make school history as first ever district champions in girls flag footballOne brave stop on a rebound effort looked certain to end in a goal, but he got down and smothered it. His kickouts also gave the team a platform, regularly finding a teammate and helping St Joseph’s move quickly into attack.
The semi final brought one of the toughest tests of the day. St Joseph’s were paired with Crumlin HS, the same team that had already beaten them in the group stage.
This time, the response was full of heart. Against a physically bigger side, the boys produced what can fairly be called one of their best performances of the competition.
Sean Loye and Conor Hollywood were given the difficult task of tracking opponents much bigger than themselves and handled it with real courage.
St Joseph’s stayed in the fight and edged through by two points, a result that showed just how much resolve the team had.
That win sent them into the final against St Malachy’s Castlewellan, where the hosts finished more strongly and won by six points.
There was disappointment in the result, but not in the effort. By that stage, St Joseph’s had already shown enough to leave the day with real pride.
The boys had competed well, pushed through difficult matches, and represented both themselves and the school in the right way.
For a Year 8 group, that matters. Results always count, but so does attitude, and this squad gave every sign that it has both quality and character.
The competition offered a glimpse of what may be coming down the line if the players keep putting in the work.
There is talent in the group, but there is also something just as important, a willingness to battle, improve, and keep going even when the task gets harder.
That is why this day should be seen as more than a near miss in a final. It was a sign of promise.
It was a reminder that good school teams are built through days like this, when players learn how to respond to setbacks, dig deep in knockout football, and keep competing against stronger and bigger opposition.
St Joseph’s also acknowledged the people who helped make the day a success.
Thanks went to St Malachy’s Castlewellan for the invitation and for running a well organised competition, and to Mr Reavey, the student teacher who helped guide the boys through the day alongside Mr McClorey.
The final may have gone the other way, but the larger picture still looks encouraging.
St Joseph’s left Castlewellan with a strong run behind them, a final appearance to their name, and a Year 8 group that looks capable of making more noise in the St Joseph’s jersey in the years ahead.
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