St Annes

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Four years after their formation St. Anne's Girl's Gaelic Team finally accomplished their goals! The team have reached many finals over the past few years but always seemed to be pipped at the post, however 2008 brought the school team every success possible. The year began with a tough league campaign that proved to be a foundation for all competitions to follow. Nineteen teams battled it out for three months to decide the destination of the Girls League trophy and as ever the standard of football on display was excellent. The popularity of Girl's Gaelic football is continuing to grow and this was the largest number of teams ever to have competed and they didn't disappoint. This reflects the Cumann na mBunscol emphasis on participation and the spirit in which the matches were played was a credit to all participating schools.

In section A the league reached its climax with two unbeaten teams, St Anne's and the holders St Kieran's meeting to decide the destination of the title. A fantastic tussle ensued that ebbed and flowed throughout. The children demonstrated all that is good in the game culminating in some superb passing and wonderful scores. At the end it was St Anne's who came out on top which meant a new name on the cup. This success gave the St. Anne's girls a new sense of belief and determination that was a springboard for the team to go on to win the Indoors, the Belfast and Antrim Seven A-sides and get their hands on the The President McAleese Championship Cup beating St. Bride's in an exciting final in Casement Park.

And just when proud teachers Josephine Mallon and Fiona Kennedy thought the year couldn't get any better a St. Anne's pupil, Hannah Cosgrave was chosen to play at Croke Park at half time in the All- Ireland Football Final playing for Tyrone. This was definitely a year to remember for St. Anne's with both Camogie and Girl's Gaelic teams reaching the Championship finals in Casement. Fiona Kennedy, Gaelic games co-ordinator in the school emphasised the importance of giving every child the opportunity to play our national sports. This wouldn't happen without the dedication of all the teachers that give up their time to coach and encourage children to play and also the hard work of the Cumann na mBunscol committee organising all the events, so although this was a successful year for St. Anne's, the most important outcome is laying down the foundations for a lifetime of enjoyment from our Gaelic Games.