Connacht Competition Commences on Wednesday
The Provincial Finals are the culmination of three months of competition held at County level which sees schools progress to the respective Provincial Finals:
The event saw approximately 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:
176 children from 22 schools in Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim and Roscommon will participate in the Connacht Provincial Finals which will be held in the impressive surrounds of Shiven Rovers AFC, Newbridge, Galway on Wednesday, May 16:
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:
The spoils were awarded to Mayo in 2011 as Scoil Phadraig and Newport NS picked up trophies for the “B” Section and Girls “A” Section respectively: It was the Roscommon side, Tarmon NS that were crowned Section “A” Champions, as Scoil Chaitriona of Galway and Ballymote NS, Sligo grabbing the Section “C” and Girls “B” Cup:
Newport NS had an excellent campaign last season as the School were crowned All Ireland Girls “A” Champions: They will provide tough competitors for the other teams participating as Ballyleague NS, Gaelscoil Liotroma and Williamstown face them in their respective group:
2012 will see the emergence of some new schools at the Provincial Finals which is a wonderful addition and demonstrates the tremendous work being done at grassroots level by the FAI’s team of Development Officers:
Drumshanbo’s St Patrick’s NS will be taking part in the Girls “B” Cup alongside Galway’s Scoil Iognaid (whose boy’s team will also compete in the “C” section for large schools), Roscommon’s Summerhill NS and Quay NS of Mayo:
The Girls “A” Cup will see the experienced Newport make a welcome return accompanied by Leitrim newcomers Gaelscoil Liotroma, Galway’s Williamstown NS and Ballyleague NS: An impressive line up to the day’s fixtures which are sure to develop into some exciting encounters:
Roscommon’s Tarmon NS are a very experienced outfit in the “A” Cup category with Galway’s Letterfrack itching to get their campaign under way: The duo are joined by Belcarra NS and Leitrim’s Diffreen NS in a difficult section
The “B” Cup which caters for medium schools will see Roundfort NS, Cornafulla NS, St: Manchan’s and Brierhill all do battle for the prestigious title:
Claremorris NS, Galway’s Scoil Iognaid, Abbey BNS will be the trio competing in the large schools section namely the “C” Cup division which merits some highly skilled individuals on display in Shiven
It promises to be a fantastic fun filled day with winners and runners up receiving a commemorative medal: The lucky winners will also receive a free UMBRO kit and the prestigious Connacht trophy for their School:
Once the Provincial Finalists have been identified they won’t have long to wait for the All Ireland series: The National Finals will be held in Tallaght Stadium, Dublin on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
CONNACHT PROVINCIAL FINALISTS:
‘A’ Cup
Belcarra NS, Mayo
Sligo Boys A
Tarmon NS, Roscommon
Diffreen NS, Leitrim
Letterfrack NS, Galway
Girls ‘A’ Cup
Newport NS, Mayo
Ballyleague NS
Gaelscoil Liotrama NS, Letirm
Williamstown NS, Galway
‘B’ Cup
Brierhill NS, Galway
Cornafulla NS
St: Manchan’s NS
Sligo Boys B
Roundfort NS
Girls ‘B’ Cup
Scoil Iognaid, Galway
Summerhill NS, Roscommon
St: Patrick’s NS, Drumshanbo
Quay NS, Mayo
Sligo Girls B
‘C’ Cup
Claremorris NS, Mayo
Scoil Iognaid, Galway
Abbey Morris