Council Chair hosts a reception for the South West College Corn na Mac Léinn Cup champions

Recently the Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor John McClaughry, hosted a reception for the South West College Corn na Mac Léinn Cup Champions.

The following is the speech made by the Chair:

Good afternoon, Councillors, ladies and gentlemen,

As Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, I am pleased to welcome you all here to The Townhall, Enniskillen for this reception in honour of the South West College All Ireland Champions following victory in the Corn Na Mac Léinn Cup.

I understand your journey in the competition started with a very close encounter against Ulster University Coleraine winning by just one point with a scoreline of 2-11 to 2-10.

The next match saw you take on Ulster University again, this time the Magee Campus and you were on home turf in Brewster Park, Enniskillen.  This may have been to your advantage as you had a convincing win of 3-8 to 1-12.

Your next opponents were Southern Regional College from Newry which was another close encounter, however, you emerged victorious with a score of 1-12 to 1-7, earning you a place in the semi-final against Liverpool John Moore University.

The semi-final was played at Connacht Centre of Excellence and Liverpool John Moores University were regarded as a tough team, however, you didn’t let this affect you and you had another convincing win of 2-13 to 1-05.

On Saturday 15 February 2025, all roads led back to the Connacht Centre of Excellence for the final against New York.  I understand you played tremendously showing great talent, confidence and determination from the outset.  This was reflected in the impressive scoreline of 5-12 to 2-07 which earned you the deserved title of All Ireland Champions.

Playing a sport requires great knowledge and technical expertise of the game as well as fitness.  However, it also requires good communication and listening, teamwork, resilience and the ability to adapt to ensure you play effectively and achieve the desired result.  You all displayed these qualities to a high standard and they are talents that will benefit you as you progress in your chosen career.

I would like to commend each and every player for the exceptional talent you showcased in each match and for your commitment to training.  This can be challenging as you have your college and personal commitments as well.

I would also like to commend Manager, Dermott Feely, and the Coaching team for all your hard work and thank you for sharing your knowledge and expertise with the boys so they can play at the highest level and enjoy special victories like this which they will remember for many years to come.

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is committed to ensuring that our young people have the best start in life and that our people have opportunities to be active.  South West College helps us to achieve both by providing high quality education for your young people whilst also offering opportunities to be active and achieve success in extra curricular activities.  This all helps to shape our young people and give them a good foundation for progressing along their chosen career path.

On behalf of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, and on my own behalf, I would like to congratulate everyone involved in making history by claiming the prestigious All Ireland Corn Na Mac Léinn Cup for the first time for South West College.  You have all done yourselves, your family and friends, your College, your Clubs, your Counties and your District proud.  I wish you continued success in your sporting, academic and work endeavours in the future.

Thank you.