By Niall Gartland

LAST Thursday, Our Lady and St Patrick’s, Knock landed the big one – the Post Primary Schools All-Ireland Ladies Senior A Championship title with a 4-11 to 2-7 victory over St Joseph’s, Spanish Point of Clare.

It was a dream day for the team, the school, and also the three feeder clubs who provide players to the east Belfast School – Carryduff, Bredagh and St Brigid’s.

Stephen Dyas, who led matters on the line alongside Catherine McGourty and Maeve Deery, believes that the victory showcases the strength of the young Gaelic footballers that live within Knock’s catchment area.

It had already been a historic year with the capture of a first-ever Ulster title at this level and now they’ve finished the job by landing the most prestigious prize of all in a season that will reverberate in the school for decades to come.

“Whenever Catherine asked me to help out herself and Maeve at the end of the last academic year, she said there was an Ulster title in the team. In February, we achieved that by winning the Ulster title, but I always felt there was something more in this group – an extra bit of quality that I hadn’t seen in some other school teams I’d been involved with.

“I just knew there was something about this group that made them a little bit different. Getting over the line last week really puts the school on the map and highlights the clubs in the area as well, showing that there are a lot of very good footballers in this part of the country.

“We’re the first team from the school to reach an All-Ireland final and the first to win a girls’ u-20 title at this level. That’s hugely significant. Yes, it’s great for the girls and the school, but it also showcases the quality of the clubs and players around here, who may, until now, have been punching a little bit below their weight.”

Naturally enough, the players received a rapturous reception when they arrived back at the school the next day. It was no more than they deserved, according to Dyas.

“They were back in on Friday morning after the game on Thursday. They had their celebrations, of course, but they were all in on Friday – maybe not quite at 9:30! They were paraded around the school and got the round of applause they deserved for all the work they’ve put in.

“They’ve given up a lot of time and sacrificed plenty of privileges to achieve what they did, so they deserved everything they got.”

There was just one sour note for the Dromintee man. He staunchly believes that their all-conquering team should have been afforded the opportunity to show what they can do in Croke Park.

“I appreciate it’s difficult to organise venues, but for me, given the level of that final, there’s no reason why that game, along with the other u-20 finals, couldn’t be played in Croke Park.

“The reality is that some of those girls might never get the chance to play in Croke Park. The two best teams in girls’ football should be playing their final there, in my opinion.”