Schoolboys 2006

TANG N.S CHAMPIONS 2006

TANG N.S CAPTURES MINI SEVENS

Tang N.S captured the Westmeath Mini-Sevens Title in emphatic fashion on Monday evening last in St Lomans.

Semi-Final

Tang 4 – 6 Lismacaffney 1 - 2

Tang first entertained Lismacaffney in the semi-final, a big physical side especially with heavy underfoot conditions after the recent wet spell. Tang faced a strong breeze in the first half, playing the better football but got stiff resistance from a tight marking Lismacaffney defence. However Martin Rock opened the scoring with a goal but Lismacaffney replied with a pt. Darragh Burke then added a pt, Lismacaffney then hit back with a goal and pressed further forward but were repelled by the excellent play from Owen Coughlan and Conor Marlowe with the towering Gareth Higgins in superb form in goal sweeping up anything that the boys missed. A brace of pts from the Rock twins left Tang a pt up at the interval with the strong breeze to aid them in the second half.

It was all Tang in the second half with the livewire John Rock and the hard working Fergus Farrell dominating proceedings around midfield and Darragh Burke(2-0) and Martin Rock (1-2) in unstoppable form up front, Tang ran out easy winners.

Final

Tang 6 – 7 Gainstown 0 – 1

Tang elected to play into the wind after winning the toss, against a much bigger Gainstown side, which were very impressive against Coosan in the other semi-final. Tang were on fire, after playing so well in the semi-final just went from strength to strength and Gainstown had no answer. Darragh Burke opened the scoring with a neat goal in the left bottom corner before Martin Rock added a pt. A terrific movement then saw John Rock through on goal, who duly hammered the ball to the back of the net. Two more pts from John and Martin Rock stretched the lead before Martin Rock dispossessed the full back and soccer style slid the ball coolly past the advancing keeper to leave the half-time score 3-3 to no score.

Tang continued in same vein after the break attacking at will, even full-backs Conor Marlowe and Owen Coughlan leaving their defensive duties to add their names to the scoresheet. This was a terrific all round performance with great team work, wonderful incisive running up front and tenacious tackling all round and just reward for all the hours practicing and training for the last few years.

Team : Gareth Higgins(Capt), Owen Coughlan, Conor Marlowe, Fergus Farrell, John Rock, Martin Rock, Darragh Burke, subs: Dwayne Nestor, David Maloney, Mark Canavan

TANG DO THE DOUBLE IN SPLENDID FASHION

TANG’S SECOND HALF SPURT ROCKS SONNA

After a classic drawn encounter, Tang and Sonna National Schools met for the replay of the Cumann Na mBunscoil 3 / 4 teacher football final at sunny St. Loman’s last Friday evening, where a dominant second half display by Tang landed the spoils. This wasn’t quite as thrilling, but it still had the good sized crowd engrossed.

After a wonderful first half, the score was 2-4 to 1-7 with Tang bagging the two goals, and the scene was set for another roller-coaster. However , five second half goals eventually broke Sonna’s resolve and, afterwards , team captain John Rock accepted the cup from Cumann Na mBunscol Chairman Derek Butler.

There were some excellent displays here. Tang had fine footballers in John Rock, Martin Rock, Owen Coughlan and Darragh Burke, while Jamie Loran was the real driving force for Sonna, scoring 1-9. The first half was filled with drama. Darragh Burke gave Tang the lead with a 1st min pt, and then Owen Coughlan was unlucky to see his shot rebound off the crossbar. Sonna drew level with a free from Jamie Loran, but Darragh Burke returned the compliment for the Southerners. However the sides were level again when Jarleth Boyce pointed off his left foot. Tang then stretched their lead to two as Owen Coughlan and Darragh Burke pointed again. But Sonna kept in touch with another free from Jamie Loran. Tang had been threatening to find the net and they made the breakthrough on the 12th min when Martin Rock sent a left-footed pile driver past Gary Fagan.

At the other end, Sonna came raiding, but Eanna Keena’s shot was knocked over the bar by the excellent Gareth Higgins. Two Loran pts narrowed the gap, but Darragh Burke took the ball around the hapless Fagan and coolly slotted the ball home for Tang’s second goal, and now led 2-4 to 0-6. Sonna were not finished and ended the first half on the offensive, scoring 1-1 to equalize and set up the second half for some more heart stopping football.

TANG TAKE CONTROL

In the draining heat, it was Tang who took control early in the second half. Martin Rock kicked a stupendous point from the corner flag to kick-start a winning charge. He added another before John Rock was unlucky to see his rasper crash off the crossbar and the warning bells were ringing for Sonna. Tang broke through for their first goal of the second half, John Rock played a series of passes before finding Martin Rock who blasted the ball to the net.

Tang now playing with a breeze on their backs were not going let this game slip. With Tang’s defence in fine form, Conor Marlow and the towering Christopher McCann driving out with every ball and Aaron Elliot controlling the heart of the defence, not to mention the excellent Gareth Higgins in goals who lengthy and accurate clearance were a thorn in Sonna’s side, as our full forward line of Darragh Burke, Martin Rock and Fergus Farrell won almost our kickouts. Tang laid siege on Sonna’s goal and were rewarded richly for their efforts as Martin Rock goaled again, followed by attacking midfielder Owen Coughlan who goaled again. Such was Tang’s play at this stage that Sonna found it hard to work the ball up the field. Further pts by Martin and John Rock, John’s from a particularly acute angle stretched the lead before John capped a majestic display with a brilliant goal.

Leading by 17 pts after 12 mins Sonna did rally but were unable to breech a solid Tang defence, but were rewarded a few close in frees. Sonna did score a goal near the end but almost on the next attack Fergus Farrell swooped to score Tang’s seventh goal and emerge emphatic winners.

Team : Gareth Higgins, Christopher McCann, Aaron Elliot, Conor Marlow, John Rock(Capt)(1-1), Owen Coughlan(1-2), Darragh Burke(1-3), Fergus Farrell(1-0), Martin Rock(3-3)

TANG N.S WESTMEATH CHAMPIONS 2006

Front l/r David Maloney, Kevin Prendergast, Craig Sheerin, Shane Mulleady, John Rock (Capt), Mark Canavan,Darragh Burke, Martin Rock, Fergus Farrell. Back l/r Dwayne Nestor, John Conlon, Christopher McCann,Aaron Elliot, Connor Marlow, Garret Higgins, Conor Bohan, Emma O’Neill, Niall Lynn, Owen Coughlan.

ONE PROUD CAPTAIN, JOHN ROCK LIFTS THE CUP

N.S. made no mistake in the replay of Cumann Na Bunscoil final in St Loman’s last Friday evening. Played in glorious sunshine, Tang played into the breeze in the first half and at half-time it was a draw game 2-4 to 1-7 with Martin Rock and Darragh Burke bagging the goals for Tang. Tang did indeed keep the best wine till last and gave an exhibition of attacking forward play outscoring Sonna 5-5 to 1-3, with Martin Rock, John Rock, Owen Coughlan and Fergus Farrell all adding goals. It would indeed be unfair to single out any individual player as everyone from Goalie Gareth Higgins, Christopher McCann, Aaron Elliot, Conor Marlowe, Owen Coughlan, John Rock (Capt), Fergus Farrell, Martin Rock to corner forward Darragh Burke played their part. Tang N.S were surely spurred on by the tremendous support, with both young and old turning out in such numbers to witness this magnificent victory. This has been a terrific year having won the mini sevens earlier and also the Tag Rugby.

So well done to all concerned

Tang supporters celebrate in style outside the now famous landmark, "Murray's, Maghera."[back] [Click to view archive]