Roscommon top charts in Connacht
Shiven Rovers FC in Newbridge, Galway was the host venue for the Aviva Health FAI Primary School 5’s Connacht Finals on Tuesday last (May 7)
The event saw approximately 16,000 children participate last year: The competition has been running since the mid 1990’s, the event is more popular than ever with 913 schools involved in 2012:
160 children from 20 schools in Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim and Roscommon participated in the Provincial decider: Played in sunny conditions the young players from all participating schools served up a feast of football that proves well for the five section winners who now go forward to the National Finals which will take place for the first time ever at the Aviva on Saturday, May 25:
The Aviva Health FAI Primary School 5’s is the biggest and best competition in the 2013 Primary Schools Soccer Calendar: There are 5 divisions to suit all school sizes: While Aviva Health and 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‘A’ Sectionprovided the most excitement of all: Aughavas NS, Leitrim, Kilkelly NS, Mayo and Kilglass NS, Sligo all fell before the dual threats of Lisaniskey NS, Roscommon and Annagh NS, Galway, with both those teams putting up big scores in the event of goal difference becoming an issue:
However, this was not to be, as the final game of the group between the two sides was the ultimate decider:
Lisaniskey started well, but conceded against the run of play: Their heads went down, but only for a minute: Annagh had two excellent opportunities to score but Robbie Kenny saved the Roscommon men from falling further behind: In the second half, Ciarán Lawless equalised from distance, before scoring a second to put Lisaniskey in the lead: Cóilín Kelly, a constant threat all day, pegged Annagh level, before two further strikes from Lisaniskey’s Evan Keane secured an almost clean sweep for Roscommon across the board:
Roscommon’s interest in the ‘B’ Section was down to Summerhill NS, Athlone: Despite fierce opposition from Carnmore NS, Galway, Gaelscoil Liatroma, Leitrim and Barnacarroll NS, Mayo, the Summerhill students defied even the belief of their own manager, Gerry McHugh, by bringing home the bacon: All of this, despite goalkeeper Shane Menton playing with a broken finger! Barnacarroll NS were the gallant runners up with John Gallagher, Cathal Canavan and Ronan Reagan superb for the Mayo men:
The record books show that St: Joseph’s NS, Summerhill last secured gold at National level in the ‘B’ Section for medium schools in 2001: Could McHugh lead his charges to a double success story in 2013?
The large schools category, ‘C’ Section, saw Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh, Galway, and St: Patrick’s NS, Castlebar in contention for the spoils: Both teams played some exceptional football but it was the Castlebar crew that took the title this time around:
The Castlebar outfit have a phenomenal record in this competition stemming as far back as 2000 when they captured gold in the All Ireland series in the large schools, ‘C’ Section: This was followed up five years later with a third place podium spot: In 2007 the School came third, while a year later, they received a silver medal: 2009 was their last appearance at the Nationals with another wonderful achievement, capturing gold yet again: Could the Mayo school go all the way this year, time will tell:
The Girls ‘A’ Section went to Cregmore NS, Galway with Ballyleague NS grabbing runners up spot: This was the second consecutive time that the Roscommon School secured silver in the group: The other schools participating in this section included Aughavas NS, Leitrim (who also had their boys team taking part), Kilglass NS, Sligo, (who took the place of St: John’s NS, who won the County Final, but were unavailable to play on the day) and Kilmovee NS, Mayo:
Summerhill NS, Athlonehad their girls compete in the Girls ‘B’ Section with Chloe Singleton and Angelina DeRossi leading the charge for the Roscommon ladies: Teacher Gerry McHugh had a full time job mentoring both his girls and boys team on the day but all his mentoring paid off as they completed an historic double in Newbridge:
Summerhill were pushed all the way by the talented Snugboro NS, Mayo, Maree NS, Galway, Ballymote NS, Sligo and the Marist GNS, Leitrim: However it was to be Summerhill’s day as the squad just edged out Maree NS, Galway in a highly entertaining final contest and now progress to the National stage:
Thanks to the support of Aviva Health, the competition will reach a sensational conclusion for the Schools involved as the National Finals will take place in the magnificent surrounds of the Aviva Stadium, Dublin on Saturday, May 25: The event will be a family fun day focused on providing participants and spectators alike with huge excitement and entertainment, making it a day to remember for all involved:
Aviva’s sponsorship of the Primary School 5’s sees the expansion of their partnership with the football family: At present, Aviva support the FAI Club of the Month and the Soccer Sisters programme:
Aviva Health are delighted to be associated with the 5’s competition as it provides an opportunity for primary school boys and girls to participate in a team sport that creates friendships, confidence and most importantly improves their overall fitness in a fun and enjoyable manner: Aviva Health wish all participating teams the very best of luck in the Finals: Enjoy the Aviva experience!
OVERVIEW - WINNERS:
Section “A” Schools: Lisaniskey NS, Roscommon
Section “A” Girls Schools: Cregmore NS, Galway
Section “B” Schools: Summerhill NS, Athlone, Roscommon
Section “B” Girls Schools: Summerhill NS, Athlone, Roscommon
Section “C” Schools: St: Patrick’s NS, Mayo
OVERVIEW – RUNNERS UP:
Section “A” Schools: Annagh NS, Galway
Section “A” Girls Schools: Ballyleague NS, Roscommon
Section “B” Schools: Barnacarroll NS, Mayo
Section “B” Girls Schools: Maree NS, Galway
Section “C” Schools: Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh, Gaillimh
Participating Schools:
‘A’ Cup
Kilkelly NS, Mayo
Lisaniskey NS, Roscommon
Aughavas NS, Leitrim
Annagh NS, Galway
Kilglass NS, Sligo
Girls ‘A’ Cup
Kilmovee NS, Mayo
Ballyleague NS, Roscommon
Aughavas NS, Leitrim
Cregmore NS, Galway
Kilglass NS, Sligo
‘B’ Cup
Carnmore NS, Galway
Cornafulla NS
Gaelscoil Liotroma, Leitrim
Barnacarroll NS, Mayo
Girls ‘B’ Cup
Maree NS, Galway
Summerhill NS, Roscommon
Marist GNS, Leitrim
Snugboro NS, Mayo
Ballymote NS, Sligo
‘C’ Cup
St: Patrick’s NS, Castlebar, Mayo
Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh NS, Galway
/ENDS/
For further information please contact:
Diane Fay, FAI Schools
diane:fay@fai:ie tel: 086/0404/952
Images available from Sportsfile http://www:sportsfile:com/more/images/1305059/5000/1/