Corn Andy Gibbons 2003

Naomh Olaf GAA club was the venue for the 4th annual Cumann na mBunscol / Naomh Olaf Indoor Hurling tournament for Third class pupils from seven neighbouring schools. Boys and girls from Oatlands, St. Olafs, Queen of Angels, Kilternan, Sandyford, Taobh na Coille and Holy Cross NS have practiced and hurled their hearts out for the last eight weeks and this all came to a dramatic conclusion on Thursday Dec 18th with the semi-finals and final.

Last year’s winners, Oatlands faced league winners St. Olaf’s NS from Balally in the first semi where Olafs emerged victorious 11 goals to 7. Kilternan played Taobh na Coille in the other semi-final with Gaelscoil winning 16 – 6.

The final itself was an absolute cracker with Olafs taking an early three goal lead only for Gaelscoil to respond emphatically to lead 9 – 4 at half-time. The restart saw Olafs score twice in rapid succession to narrow the gap and set up a stirring finale to the competition. Then came the score of the Tournament according to organiser & coach Mr Andy Gibbons. Olafs were awarded a free close to the corner - an impossible angle from which to score. Gaelscoil packed their defence & lined the goal. Daniel Coen shaped up to blast the sliotar goalward but instead flicked it back towards midfield where Eoin Murphy thundered an unstoppable volley past the entire stunned Gaelscoil team. From there till the end the atmosphere in the Hall was simply unbelievable. The tension was almost unbearable as Olafs closed the gap to a single goal but time ran out for them as Gaelscoil held on to win a memorable game by 11 goals to 10. Both schools were presented with a hurley autographed by DJ Carey & the Corn Andy Gibbons was on its way to Taobh na Coille for the first time.

Over 120 children participated in this event. Refreshments and medals were provided by Naomh Olaf GAA Club who also sponsored the Corn Andy Gibbons trophy which goes to the winning school.

All in all this is a tremendous initiative and provides the natural springboard to these young boys and girls for their outdoor leagues which begin next February / March.

  Pictures from the recently held Corn Andy Gibbons Competition

Gaelscoil Taobh Na Coille Team with Andy Gibbons and their coach St. Olaf's Primary School Team with Principal Gerry Murphy and Andy Gibbons Gaelscoil put the Olaf's goal mouth under pressure! Time for a quick break... Vital half time team talk... Weary from battle! From one wise man to another... Andy shows off the hurls signed by the legend D.J. Carey himself! At last Gaelscoil's Captaen Cian McGabhann receives Corn Andy Gibbons!!! Time to celebrate for the Team from Gaelscoil Taobh Na Coille!!!