The Grinch Games provided great entertainment for players and spectators alike yesterday with a feast of football from young and old.

All corners of the parish were represented as Townlands went to into battle. The group stages produced a series of upsets with the pre competition favourites (Slieve Gullion, Annahia and Cloghinnea) overturned by all comers.

The Faughil combination proved very strong and remained unbeaten throughout to qualify for a final against reigning champions Carrickbroad. That set up a mouth watering final in front of a large, expectant crowd.

The final was a very tight affair with space and scores at a premium. Erin Douglas proved a consistent thorn in the Carrickbroad rearguard and at the other end the geriatric partnership of Mícheál and Martin O’Rourke were always a threat.

With scores deadlocked at full time the final entered golden score territory and both teams spurned numerous chances – including a contested possible Tomás McCrink winner – before Odhran Carnegie sealed the win for Carrickbroad deep into added time.

Captain Kurt Conlon accepted the cup on behalf of his townland. Female player of the tournament was awarded to Erin Douglas with Philly McEvoy receiving the men’s equivalent. There were additional awards for Connor Phillips (Special Contribution) and Feargal Murphy (Most effective return from retirement).

We would like to offer additional thanks to the tournament sponsors Slieve Gullion Contracts and MM Acquisitions for supporting and for the social club committee for hosting.