Seven schools enjoy a fantastic day of football at the superb Coolboy Cup

Our school days can be a very mixed bag when it comes to memories, but when we reflect on those years, there are always events that stand out as bright flashes, when we were free, happy and filled with zest for life, surrounded by friends, beautiful weather, being looked after by kind teachers and great coaches and having bundles of fun.

For the more than 150 students from seven schools who attended the Coolboy Cup in Coolafancy on Wednesday last, there’s a very good chance that they will remember this superb day as one of those bright flashes, as a moment in life when all was right with the world.

At the back of it all, there was a soccer tournament to be played, but the bigger picture was the coming together of seven schools, forging ties, enjoying rivalries, doing your best and having fun.

Full credit to Coolboy Rangers for their exceptional organisation of this event. From club chairman Robert McCann Finn’s starting hooter to the crowning of the champions for 2024, this was a thoroughly enjoyable day, with games unfolding across numerous pitches over several hours in blissful sunshine while surrounded by stunning with stunning views of the countryside.

The boys and girls teams from St. Joseph’s NS in Hacketstown brought home the cup crowns to the Co. Carlow school after pitched battles with the likes of Scoil Naomh Bríd in Knockananna, St. Brigid’s NS in Annacurra, Tinahely NS and St. Mary’s in Coolafancy.

The St. Brigid’s boys and girls teams claimed the shield honours.

One interesting aspect of the day was that most of the teams featured players who play their club game with Coolboy Rangers with many players from opposing teams greeting each other warmly before the action got underway.

“Wow! What a day for the Coolboy Cup,” said the organisers. “Over 150 players came to compete, from seven schools, and even the weather played ball.

“Massive congratulations to Hacketstown who took the cup home for their girls’ and boys’ teams

“And equally enormous congratulations to Annacurra, who took home the shields, again for both their girls’ and boys’ teams

“Thank you to all the schools who attended and played with such enthusiasm.

“Thank you to our volunteers for making the day run smoothly

“Thank you to Peter Stapleton for giving awards, cheering for the teams, and doing some pretty cool keepie uppies

“Finally, thank you to Wicklow County Council for funding this event through their Club Development Grant Scheme 2024,” they added.

The schools that took part in this event were: St. Joseph’s NS Hacketstown, St. Mary’s NS Coolafancy, Scoil Naomh Bríd in Knockananna, Tinahely NS, Crossbridge NS, St. Brigid’s NS in Annacurra and Ballyconnell NS.