The Leitrim Finals of the FAI Schools 5-a-side Post Primary Schools 1st Year Futsal competition had a pulsating finale at Aura Leisure, Carrick/on/Shannon on Monday, October 25: The event was organised and run by FAI/Leitrim County Council Development Officer for Leitrim Damon Kearney:
The competition caters for boys and girls with the emphasis on small sided games played on reduced sized pitches: It was a day to remember as all the schools and players served up a feast of football with goals, upsets and surprises along the way as a total of 10 teams took part in this year’s event:
The Boys Section was played out where 4 teams came together to fight for the chance to progress onto the Connacht Finals: One Group of 4 was the order of the day with the top two in the group progressing on to the final:
On what turned out to be a fantastic day, the football side of things more than matched the occasion with all teams matching their skill with great spirits:
Ballinamore Vocational School domination the proceedings and they would prove hard to stop as they run out groups winners undefeated scoring plenty of goals along the way: The runner up spot was taken by St: Clare’s Vocational School after the last group game were they overcame Drumshanbo Vocational School in a winner takes all clash 4/3:
The final left two teams who provided plenty of goals and excellent attaching football along the way face up against each other as Ballinamore met St: Clare’s: In an entertaining final, with some lovely football being played it was St: Clare’s who ran out 4/3 winners in extra time after 3/3 finish in normal time: This was a superb game that seen some fantastic goals, near misses and great saves as it went from end to end: St Clare’s were worthy winners as they played good football throughout the competition:
In the Girls competition, it showcased some great games and some very talented teams and footballers: 4 teams came together to fight for the chance to progress on the Connacht Finals:
A Group of 4 it was with the top two in each group progressing on to the final: In a closely fought group with all teams’ seemly taking points off one another it was St: Clare’s who finished top with Lough Allen College finishing second narrowly on goal difference from the nearest challengers Drumshanbo who progressed on to the final:
The final itself turned out to be an epic: Two talented teams in the St: Clare’s and Lough Allen provided great entertainment to the watching crowd as they played some fantastic football:
It was close game, with the play going from one end to the other as each team tried to gain the upper hand: The woodwork, close misses, brave defending and some fantastic goalkeeping meant neither side could be separated for: Lough Allen College hold out to win 4/3 in the end, a cruel blow to St: Clare’s who performed so well all day but well done to both teams for putting on such an entertaining display:
FAI/Leitrim County Council Community Development Officer Damon Kearney would like to thank all the schools who took part and compliment all the teachers and mentors for the great sporting behaviour displayed by all the players on and off the field:
A big thank you to all the referees who done a fantastic job throughout: Congratulations to all the winners who will now represent Leitrim in the upcoming Connacht Finals on November 22 in the NUIG, Co: Galway: Good luck to all!
FAI Schools Post Primary First Year Futsal Competition Boys Leitrim Winners 2011
St: Clare’s Vocational School
Kyle Hart, Ruari Sheridan, Darragh Rooney, Mark Byrne, Ryan Gilligan, Chrishopher Jenkins , Peter Poniard, Conor McNiff, Michael Loughlin, Darren McLoughlin, Oisin Dolan, Niall McDermott, Keilan Mcughlin
Mentors: Justin Devaney, Bertie Cunningham
Teacher: Mr: Donohoe
FAI Schools Post Primary First Year Futsal Competition Girls Leitrim Winner 2011
Lough Allen College
Charlene Maguire, Aine Fallon, Natasha McTiernan, Aimee O’Grady, Shannon McLoughlin, Caoimhe Wynne, Ciara Fallon, Aisling Fee, Rachel Fee, Aoife McCauley, Ciara McKenny, Niamh McManus
Manager: Mr: Kelly
END