For the first time, Monaghan Coaching & Games organised a 3-week indoor football league for 5th Class boys. All primary schools in Monaghan were invited to take in the league with a total of 19 schools taking part in total. The event targeted 5th class boys but the smaller schools, if they didn’t have the numbers they could take along 4th class boys.
The league was split into 2 regions. The North region and the South Region. The north region was split between two venues with St Macartan’s College and the sports complex in Scotstown GAA club providing the facilities. The south region took place in the Phoenix Centre in Carrickmacross.
The following rules where implemented for the competition.
– 2 teams start, the 1st team to score stays on and the next team comes on straight away without the game stopping.
– When a team scores they must all touch their goals before they can retrieve the ball, also the team coming on must touch the opposite goals before they try and retrieve the ball.
– The team that loses goes to the end of the line.
– Goals only.
– 1 hop, no solo
– If a game was scoreless after 2 minutes both teams go off and the next 2 come on and start a new game.
– Any indiscipline shown by players would result in the opposition receiving a penalty kick.
– Only incidental contact was allowed with a clear focus on the near hand tackle. Any free had to be taken by the person who was fouled with the opposition no closer than 2 meters.
Over the course of the three weeks we had helpers and referees from Monaghan Institute, St Louis Convent Carrickmacross, Patrician High School Carrickmacross and St Macartan’s College Monaghan. We would just like to say thanks to all who helped out in anyway.
Finally, thanks to the schools and their teachers for taking the time to compete in the league and we hope they players enjoyed the blitz. Hopefully this is something that can be built on going forward.
The following schools took part in the Indoor League: Rockcorry NS, Edenmore, Killeevan, Urbleshanny, Annalitten, Gaelscoil Lorgan, Inniskeen, Mullaghrafferty, Knockconnan, Blackstaff, Scotshouse, Gaelscoil Rois, Castleblayney BNS, Carrickmacross BNS, Latton, Ballybay, Clones, Corracrin & Loughmourne
