Galway & Mayo share the honours in Connacht
The biggest and best competition in the 2012
Primary School Soccer Calendar
Shiven Rovers FC in Newbridge, Galway was the setting for the Connacht Finals of the An Post FAI Primary Schools 5-a-side competition held yesterday (May 16)
The event saw over 15,400 children participate last year: The competition has been running since the mid 1990’s, the event is more popular than ever with 954 schools involved in 2011
The FAI Schools 5-a-side is the biggest and best competition in the 2012 Primary Schools Soccer Calendar: There are 5 divisions to suit all school sizes: While FAI Schools encourage boys and girls to play on the same team, there is also a separate competition for girls’ schools: A number of teams can represent one school depending on the size of their student body, giving more children the chance to develop their skills in a safe, child centred and exciting environment:
176 children from 22 schools in Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim and Roscommon participated in the Provincial decider:
Played in overcast and windy weather conditions the young players from all participating schools served up a feast of excellent football that proves well for the five section winners who now go forward to the National Finals which will take place in Tallaght Stadium, Dublin, home of Shamrock Rovers FC on Tuesday, June 5:
In the “A” Schools Cup, the small schools category proved the most evenly contested section of all: Only goals “scored for” decided the winner and runner up position with Letterfrack NS taking the winners title from Belcarra NS, Mayo who came a worthy runner up:
The “B” Section (for medium schools) after ten games came down to the final game between Roundfort NS and Brierhill NS with Brierhill NS emerging winners in a very keenly contested game: The group went down to goal difference as all teams in the group were evenly matched with excellent football played throughout the day: In particular, the Roundfort v Brierhill game proved to be the game of the group as both teams played exceptionally well:
The “C” Section saw Scoil Iognaid win all four games in comprehensive style as they head to the National Finals in June: The school will be hoping their experience at this level will ensure the school performs well in the Dublin venue: It was Claremorris NS that were crowned runners up in a one sided group:
The Girls “A” Section had four teams representing each county with the exception of Sligo while Girls “B” Section had five teams representing four of the Connacht counties: A very strong Newport NS team took the honours in the Girls “A” Section with Ballyleague Roscommon taking the runner up spot having only dropped points in their game against Newport NS:
The last section to finish on the day was the Girls “B” Section with Quay NS, Ballina taking the title for the first time with Scoil Iognaid NS unable to bring the winner’s trophy home and receive the Boy’s and Girl’s double as they finished closely behind in second place:
Holy Family NS, Newport will have real title ambitions after tasting success the previous year and carrying the crown of reigning All Ireland Girls “A” Champions: The Mayo school won the All Ireland series outright last year with impressive performances in all three of their deciders: The current Connacht Champions will be hoping that they can replicate this success not only representing Mayo but their Province as they go in search of the silverware:
The Girls “B” Cup will see Quay NS, Ballina join the ranks of Oliver Plunkett NS who captured the same title in 2008 and went on to win the All Ireland series that same year putting Ballina on the map: Could the same feat be repeated in 2012?
Tarmon NS, Castlerea captured a third place finish last season in the “A” Schools Cup: The pressure will now rest on the shoulders of Galway’s Letterfrack NS to go one better this time around as they take to the field in Tallaght:
The “B” Schools stars in 2011 were Scoil Phádraig, Ballina who were placed in fourth place in Tullamore: Brierhill NS will take over the mantel now in search of higher rankings in 2012:
Scoil Iognaid, Galway will be named in the Connacht selection for the “C” Schools Cup for large schools: Neighbouring Renmore’s Scoil Chaitriona did very well last time out with a fourth place podium finish: The local rivalry will surely be amiss as the County will be showing their support for the city centre show come match day:
Many of the Connacht winners will be new to the All Ireland stage, which is a fantastic testament to the work of the FAI Development Officers in encouraging a variety of competitions in their local community:
The task for these new schools won’t be daunting as they have all to play for:
The players will enjoy the big stage and they may even put in some extra hours of practice in preparation for the final day of competition:
Many thanks to all the participating teams who did extremely well in reaching this Provincial stage, unfortunately only one school from each section can progress to the next level
OVERVIEW - WINNERS:
Section “A” Schools: Letterfrack NS, Galway
Section “A” Girls Schools: Holy Family NS, Newport, Mayo
Section “B” Schools: Brierhill NS, Galway
Section “B” Girls Schools: Quay NS, Ballina, Mayo
Section “C” Schools: Scoil Iognaid, Galway
OVERVIEW – RUNNER UP:
Section “A” Schools: Belcarra NS, Mayo
Section “A” Girls Schools: Ballyleague NS, Roscommon
Section “B” Schools: St: Manchan’s NS, Leitrim
Section “B” Girls Schools: Scoil Iognaid, Galway
Section “C” Schools: Claremorris NS, Mayo
Images of the participating schools are available upon request:
CONNACHT PROVINCIAL FINALISTS:
‘A’ Cup
Belcarra NS, Mayo
St: Patrick’s Maugherow, Sligo
Tarmon NS, Roscommon
Diffreen NS, Leitrim
Letterfrack NS, Galway
Girls ‘A’ Cup
Holy Family NS, Newport, Mayo
Ballyleague NS, Roscommon
Gaelscoil Liotroma, Leitrim
Williamstown NS, Galway
‘B’ Cup
Brierhill NS, Galway
CornaFulla NS, Roscommon
St: Manchan’s NS, Leitrim
Roundfort NS, Mayo
St: Enda’s, Carraroe Sligo
Girls ‘B’ Cup
Scoil Iognaid, Galway
Summerhill NS, Roscommon
St: Patrick’s NS, Sligo
Quay NS, Ballina, Mayo
Scoil Ursula, Sligo
‘C’ Cup
Scoil Iognaid, Galway
Claremorris NS, Mayo
Abbey Boys NS, Roscommon