IOMFA Girls Primary School Tournament 2016

On Friday 29th April, 12 Primary Schools came together at the Bowl to compete in the annual IOMFA Girls Primary School Tournament and it was...

There was lots of excitement around the tournament due to Everton Ladies players Ellie Stewart and Jenna Dear confirmed to attend the day.

The FA Skills Coaches Ben and Graeme kicked off the event with a group warm up session, before teams started with the group stages of the tournament. The top four teams in the groups progressed into the Quarter Final stage of the tournament. Group runners up Willaston faced 4^thplace Kewaigue at the Quarter Final stages, both teams matched each other throughout the game and were unlucky to be unable to find the net resulting in the game going to extra time and then nail biting penalties, after going into sudden death with a number of great penalties and saves from both sides, Kewaigue secured there spot in the Semi Finals.

Competition heated up in the Semi Final stages with close matches in both. Cronk-y-Berry A faced Kewaigue and Anagh Coar met Peel Clothworkers, great efforts from Kewaigue and Peel weren’t enough to beat the group leaders Anagh Coar and Cronk-y-Berry A, who found themselves in a repeat of last year’s event facing each other in the final.

Both teams battled hard throughout the Final, both creating opportunities to score however unable to find the back of each other’s goals until late in the game Cronk-y-Berry secured the victory against Anagh Coar.

Everton Ladies players Jenna and Ellie were impressed by the standard of the players at the tournament, pointing out some potential sporting stars for the future.

Amy Beggs-Cairney IOMFA Women and Girls Development Officer said ‘This is always a great event for me to run, the girls get so much enjoyment from the tournament. There was lots of competitive games throughout the tournament and it is just amazing to see the new faces come down. Girls football on the island is definitely on the up and I look forward to seeing all the players joining clubs next season. Big thank you to the FA and Everton Ladies for allowing Jenna and Ellie to come to the tournament it make the event that extra bit special for the girls.’

IOMFA would like to thank all the volunteers, coaches, referees and most importantly the schools for coming along to the annual tournament.

Winners: Cronk-y-Berry A

Runner Up: Anagh Coar

Player of the Tournament: Morgan Burns, Anagh Coar School