Council Chair hosts reception for Sacred Heart College’s Danske Bank Irish News Shield Champions

Recently the Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council hosted a reception for Scared Heart College, Omagh in recognition of winning the Danske Bank Irish News Shield.  The following is a copy of the Chair’s speech:

As Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, I am delighted to welcome you all here to The Grange, Omagh this afternoon for this reception in honour of Sacred Heart College Irish News Shield Champions.

I understand your journey in the Danske Bank Irish News Shield began with early matches against St Patrick’s Dungiven, St Joseph’s Coalisland and St Patrick’s and St Brigid’s Claudy.  Your success in these early matches, earned you a place in the semi final against De La Salle College, Belfast.

The semi final match was played on 07 February 2023 and you had a comfortable win over De La Salle College, 8-09 to 5-07, earning your place in the Final.

The final took place on Friday 24 February 2023 in Newtownstewart against St Patrick’s and St Brigid’s College, Claudy.  Your skill and determination to win was evident from the outset with Daithi Teague opening the scoring and this was quickly followed by a goal from Cead McGrath following a surging run.

Further points by Sean McGlone and Shea O’Donnell, followed by goals from Jake Donnelly and Shea O’Donnell meant you had a 3-07 to 1-0 lead at half time.

Sean McGlone and Shea O’Donnell got the second half off to a good start adding to the scoreline and goals from half time substitute Daire McCaffrey and another by Shea O’Donnell secured the win.

It was the impressive all-round performance of the whole team which enabled your quality and skills to shine throughout the tournament and secure the much-deserved win.

Being part of a sports team teaches you great skills and the importance of teamwork and requires a good level of physical fitness.  However, it also teaches you life skills including listening to and communicating with each other, following instructions, commitment to attend training and being resilient to deal with setbacks.

I would like to commend the management team of Owen Devine, Bradley Fox and Aodhan McConnell for their leadership, sharing their skills and providing you with the opportunity to compete in top competitions to realise success and enhance your skills.

I understand that collectively you represent 11 clubs from West Tyrone and I would like to commend the coaching staff at each of these clubs for developing your skills  to enable you to represent your School.

On behalf of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, and on my own behalf, I would like to congratulate each and every player on the Team for the contribution you made to the team.  Your dedication to attend training for your school and club, alongside your academic work is to be admired.

You have done yourselves, your family and friends, your school, your club, your County and your District proud and I wish you every success in your sporting and academic endeavours.

Thank you.