Report by Ulster GAA staff Shane McCann & Paul Callaghan
The 2016 Ulster GAA Provincial One-Wall Finals for 3rd/4th year boys where held at St Ciarans Ballygawley on Friday 25th November.
St Malachys Belfast, Holy Trinity Cookstown, St Pats Cavan, St Maccartans Monaghan (SEM), Red High Downpatrick and St Colmans Newry all had qualified via their regional qualifying blitzes.
The format sees Schools compete in a Team of 4 format, playing as 2 Doubles. Group matches are played to 21 points, with points awarded on a 'point per rally basis'. Each player in turn takes two consecutive serves, regardless of the outcome of the previous point.
Group A consisted of St Malachys, St Pats and Red High, Group B SEM, Holy Trinity and St Colmans. After some very close encounters St Pats Cavan and the SEM made it through to the finals.
Final Results
- Game 1 - St Pats Cavan 11 v SEM 21
- Game 2 - St Pats Cavan 21 v SEM 19
(1 point awarded per win)
Sudden death Play off Result
- St Pats Cavan 8 v SEM 15
As the results show the games were very competitive, the SEM had to dig deep to earn the title for the second time since the competition started. This year saw the number of schools competing increase to 18 with 136 players taking part. The next event in the calendar is the boy’s 1st & 2nd year one wall in March 2017.
Any school is welcome to participate no matter what experience they have, a lot of players competed this year for their first time. Any queries please contact shane.mccann.ulster@gaa.ie
