The Patrick Higgins Memorial Shield competition took place today.
Eight clubs took part, ourselves (being hosts), Ballinderry (last years
winners), Magherafelt, Ballinascreen, Newbridge, Kilrea, Bellaghy and
Slaughtneil.
After a poor week of weather the teams were blessed with a great day.
Played
on two pitches, the first round was on a league basis with the top two
teams from both leagues going forward into the semi-finals.
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Some of the players who represented Desertmartin at this year’s tournament
Both teams had played good football during the early league sections
and in the final Kilrea showed a bit more hunger to run out winners.
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Margaret Higgins throws the ball up to mark the start of the Final
Prior to the presentations the club chairman Anthony McSwiggan made
a short speech before inviting the late Patrick Higgins’s friend and
colleague, Mr Harry McCann, to say a few words to the young players
about Patrick’s life and dedication to the Gaelic Athletic Association.
Ciaran
Higgins then presented both runner up and winner plaques to the two
teams before presenting the Patrick Higgins Memorial Shield to the
winning Kilrea captain Brendan Quigg.
Congratulations to all teams who took part and the club look forward to seeing you back in the years to come.
A
special thanks to Peter, Colm and Brian for their time and effort in
organising the tournament, the ladies who served refreshments and the
caretakers for all their hard work.