- St. Stephen's De La Salle BNS

Willie Moran was Principal of Holy Cross NS, Tramore. Prior to that he taught in CBS Primary School, Tramore. He was secretary of the Waterford City Branch of the I.N.T.O. for many years. Willie was also seriously involved in sport all his life. He set up the Waterford Primary Schools’ Football League. He was secretary of the Waterford Schoolboys’ Football League (WPSFL) for many years before serving as Chairman of the Schoolboys Football Association of Ireland. He was also instrumental in the formation of the schoolboys’ section of Tramore AFC. Willie passed away on 28th April 2013.

Tramore AFC and WPSFL joined forces to honour Willie’s name with a 7 a side soccer tournament for Primary Schools. It is a one-day tournament, the 2018 edition taking place in the stunning WIT Arena on Wednesday, 13th June. In St. Stephen's, we were delighted to enter 2 teams in this extra special tournament. Mr. Hayden and Mr. Russell took a team each to the tournament. Mr. Coghlan was away on a class trip but his influence in preparing the teams is much appreciated too!

The B team did very well, in a tough group, playing three games. The team drew two and lost one, and qualified for the quarter final. A single defensive mistake in that game saw the boys lose out 0-1 to Strangsmills and exit the competition, but the boys played their hearts out and we are very proud of their efforts.

The A team had a very tough group, with Kill, Piltown, Waterpark, and Faithlegg. The bottom team in this group would be elminated; however, the boys came out of the group with two wins and two losses. Into the quarter final they went where they faced another Piltown side, coming out winners. The semi final saw the A Team facing Strangsmills, who had eliminated the B team, but St. Stephen's were too strong in this case, and the boys advanced to the final to face Killea. As you would expect, it was a hard fought contest, with Killea leading 1-0 for a lot of the game. Our boys dug deep, equalising and then grabbing a second to secure the Willie Moran Shield. Well done to all the team on the win!

A massive thanks to Mr. Duggan, the referees on the day, and Tramore AFC for another wonderful day's football in honour of Willie Moran. See some photos below from a brilliant day for our boys at a special football tournament: