St Brigid’s excel in all-Ireland indoor soccer blitz

St Brigid’s Senior Boys played their hearts out in the North Leinster Special School Indoor football Soccer Blitz on January 12, and returned to Mullingar as heroes. The whole school was eagerly awaiting their return from Dundalk as ‘We are the champions’ blared across the PA system.

Ms Henshaw and Mr Maloney were beaming from ear to ear when they returned to school. But that was only the edge of the excitement, as the win secured the St Brigid’s team a place in the All-Ireland Indoor Soccer Blitz in Limerick on January 19. It was the first time in more than 12 years that a senior school team had made it that far in the competition.

There was an early start that day – nerves were frayed and hopes were high as the school bus set off followed by a support crew of parents, school board chairperson Ms Corroon and principal Jo Jordan.

The team had to play four matches in a round-robin scenario and they secured a place in the semi-final after the play-offs. It was in that match their hopes of lifting the cup were dashed as they suffered a 2-1 defeat to St Michael’s School, but there was nothing to cry about. They played with such a level of passion that we had never seen before, the competition was fierce and, until the final whistle blew, they kept their heads in the game and warmly congratulated the other team, even though they were heartbroken.

St Brigid’s supported and watched with admiration the students, who stayed pitch side to support the two teams in the final. There was no tears on the bus journey home from Limerick as plans were prepared straight away about requesting weekly training session in preparation for next year’s tournament.

Congratulations to all the students on the senior team and thank you to Mr Maloney and Ms Henshaw, who always go the extra mile.