In both the Junior and Senior competitions, Barry Willis, Youth Development Manager with the IRFU (Ulster Branch), and his team drew up leagues with the team to score the most tries in each league qualifying for the final.
The action kicked off with the winners of the Junior County heats taking to the pitch. Teams from Annaclone & Magherally, Seskinore, Coleraine, Moycraig, Finvoy and Kilraughts Young Farmers' Clubs played against each other. Finvoy YFC and Moycraig YFC qualified for the Junior Final.
After some tense moments in the game, Moycraig YFC eventually beat off the tough efforts of Finvoy YFC and won the match. Moycraig YFC picked up the Rosemary Patterson Shield for winning the YFCU Tag Rugby 2008 Junior title.
The Senior section of the tournament was equally exciting with teams from Artana, Annaclone & Magherally, Seskinore, Spa, Hillhall, Moycraig, Kilraughts, Rathmore, Garvagh and Gleno Valley Young Farmers' Clubs taking part in the league. After the group games, Annaclone & Magherally YFC and Moycraig YFC topped the tables and were to take each other on in the final.
Both finalists were previous winners of the YFCU Tag Rugby Tournament so competition in the final game was immense. Supporters watching the final witnessed some skilful playing and tactical moves. With the crowd cheering them on, Annaclone & Magherally YFC managed to hold on to the title by winning the game and picked up the Adrian Cooper Shield.
John Henning, Head of Agriculture with Northern Bank presented the finalists with the Rosemary Patterson and Adrian Cooper Shields and commemorative medals from the bank. John commented on the event.
"From speaking to my colleagues Adrian McCord and Rodger Hill who attended the regional heats and based on the skill, intense competition and enthusiasm here today, I can say that this year's YFCU Tag Rugby Tournament has been a great success. Congratulations must go to Moycraig YFC and Annaclone & Magherally YFC for winning their final games," said John.
He continued "Northern Bank is delighted that this competition is now an established feature of the YFCU calendar and we look forward to that continuing in 2009".
YFCU President Adrian Cooper brought the proceedings to a close and thanked both Northern Bank and the IRFU Ulster branch for their support of the competition.
"I would like to once again thank Northern Bank for sponsoring the YFCU Tag Rugby Tournament for the third year in a row, without their support the competition could not operate. Also, I would like to extend a note of thanks to Barry Willis and his team from the IRFU Ulster Branch for organising and referring at the matches, the Red Cross who attended both the heats and the Final and finally Magherafelt Rugby Club for the use of their facilities.
"All the teams who took part in the tournament deserve congratulations for their sportsmanship. A special note of congratulations must go to Moycraig YFC for taking the Junior title and to Annaclone & Magherally YFC for picking up the Senior title," he concluded.
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