Meath Primary Schools Futsal
Tuesday and Wednesday saw the first Meath Primary Schools Futsal tournament take place in Trim and both days proved to be very exciting affairs:
The event was orgainsed by FAI Meath Development Officer/ Mark Scanlon and FAI Schools Leinster Co/ordinator – Paul Holland:
GIRLS - PRIMARY SECTION
The Girls were first up on Tuesday and they certainly showed that the future of women’s football in Meath is in good hands:
The competition consisted of 8 teams split into 2 groups, Group A was won by St: Mary’s who were closely followed in 2nd place by Scoil Naomh Eoin (Navan) both teams went on to the semi/finals:
They were joined by St: Joseph’s Mercy (Navan) who topped Group B and Realt Na Mara (Donacarney) who finished runner/up :
St: Patrick’s (Stamullen) narrowly defeated Gaelscoil Na Rithe (Dunshaughlin) 1/0 in the 7th/8th place playoff and 5th place was grabbed by O’Growney N:S: (Athboy) who defeated Scoil Mhuire (Navan) 2/0:
In the first semi/final St: Mary’s got the better of Realt Na Mara 3/1 and St: Joseph’s Mercy defeated Scoil Naomh Eoin in an all Navan affair in the second semi/final:
The competitions two unbeaten teams clashed in the final and the game was extremely close, both teams created plenty of chances but in the end it was St: Mary’s who managed to get the better of St: Joseph’s Mercy by 1/0 and they will now go on to represent Meath in the Leinster Finals:
WINNERS
St: Mary's NS, Trim pictured with teacher, Mr: Kevin Higgins
RUNNERS UP
St: Joseph's Mercy, Navan
BOYS – PRIMARY SECTION
After the excitement of the previous day Wednesday had a lot to live up to but it more than did so:
Again 8 teams competed across 2 groups, Group A was won by O’Growney N:S: (Athboy) and runners/up were Cortown N:S: (Cortown):
Group B was won by Realt Na Mara (Donacarney) and second place was claimed by Nobber N:S: (Nobber):
The 7th/8th place playoff was won by Gaelscoil Na Rithe who got the better of St: Olivers (Navan) by 1/0:
The 5th/6th place playoff was won by St: Michaels (Trim) who defeated Drumbaragh N:S: (Kells) by 2/0:
The first semi/final saw a spirited Nobber side narrowly overcome by O’Growney N:S: by 3/1:
The second semi/final was also a close affair and provided plenty of action, in the end Realt Na Mara came out victorious by 3/2 over Cortown N:S:
The final was a tense affair and Realt Na Mara grabbed an early lead after a thunderous strike put them one up:
O’Growney showed the quality which they had displayed all day by scoring an excellent equalizer and with two minutes remaining they snatched a winner, again it was a brilliant goal which deserved to win any game and it duly did:
O’Growney held on for the 2/1 win and will now represent Meath in the Leinster Finals:
WINNERS
O'Growney's NS, Athboy pictured with teacher, Mr: Barry McGann
RUNNERS UP
Realt na Mara NS, Donacarney
OVERVIEW
All in all the competition was a tremendous success and hopefully it can grow in the coming years:
Well done to all schools who competed and they should be very proud of how they played and behaved throughout the two days:
CONGRATULATIONS
We wish both St: Marys (Trim) and O’Growney N:S: (Athboy) all the best representing Meath in the Leinster Finals which will take place on February 10th in the National Basketball Arena, Tallaght: