After a long break from competitive action the boys from Parkhall were raring to go on the brand new grass football pitches at Parkhall this week.

Not only was a long break from action imposed through Covid regulations, but this week saw competitive action return to the schools’ own pitches for the first time in many a year. The boys have had to wait a long time indeed due to the removal of the old pitches to allow the building of the new school and the further delay of their new pitches being laid and ready for action.

In that time the school have had to play many away games and use the Antrim Forum pitches as a home venue. The school would particularly like to place on record their thanks to the Forum and in particular duty manager Ian Cameron for their hospitality and patience with the school through this difficult period.

The boys at all age groups have been attending after school practice in great numbers with the staff at the college over the last number of weeks in preparation for the games and couldn’t wait to start.

The year eleven team narrowly lost their hard fought competitive opening fixture to a very strong Cullybackey High School team, with a fair level of improvement expected of the boys in the games to come.

Year eight team have also been practicing in great numbers are so keen to get going the school have been able to field two teams at this age group for the first time in years. The school have noticed a great buzz of excitement over the last few days in anticipation of the game to come on the 8^th, also against Cullybackey High School (result unknown at the time of writing).

The schools’ year nine, ten and twelve teams also look forward to opening their individual campaigns in the coming weeks.