The Kildare Finals of the FAI Schools EA Sports 5 A Side competition for Primary Schools took place in Newbridge on 1st April:
A record number of 84 teams entered this year’s competition in Kildare which was divided into two preliminary heats in Celbridge and Newbridge previous to the finals held on Wednesday:
There are five different sections in this hugely popular competition, three for boys and two for girls, each based on the number of pupils in 4th, 5th and 6th classes: This allows similarly sized schools to compete against each other with separate sections for small, medium and large schools: The competition is proudly sponsored by EA Sports and supported by Kildare Sports Partnership:
Scoil Bhríde, Naas, Maynooth BNS and Patrician Primary school all had two boys’ teams qualify to the finals this year with Scoil Bhríde also having a girl’s teams competing in the finals: Scoil Mhuire, Ballymany from Newbridge had, not only two girls’ teams qualify to the finals but also a boy’s team:
Competing in the final of the ‘A’ Boy’s Section were Newbridge Educate Together and Timahoe N:S: after both teams topped their groups: It took a golden goal in extra time to separate these two sides: Lee Dempsey carried off some fantastic saves in goals with Daragh Lynch performing well outfield for Timahoe:
Rathmore qualified from the Boy’s ‘B’ Section after beating Scoil Diarmada from Castledermot 2/0, with a brace from Rowan Osborne in the final: Oísín Kelly and Adam Harney also showed good performances throughout the day for Rathmore:
Scoil Mhuire, Ballymany from Newbridge emerged top of the Boy’s ‘C’ Section after narrowly beating Maynooth BNS with an unanswered Seán Healy goal: Ryan Barrett was solid in defence for the victors while Ben Moran scored two crucial goals in the earlier decisive group game against Patrician Primary school:
Scoil Mhicil Naofa, Athy managed to win the Girl’s ‘A’ Section remaining unbeaten in their four group games: Niamh Mulhall was outstanding for the winners, scoring an impressive 10 goals over the course of the day: Laura Bowden displayed some great performances in midfield for the Athy side:
North Kildare Educate Together emerged victorious in the Girl’s ‘B’ Section when they beat Scoil Bhríde from Naas 2/0 in the deciding game: Róisín Malone scored three goals for the winning side and the goalkeeper Róisín Mahon performed well in goals:
The winning teams from each group will go on to represent Kildare in the Mid Leinster finals in Portlaoise on 29th April:
Organisers Laura Cusack and Pat Behan (FAI/Kildare County Council Development Officers for Kildare) and Eddie Hennessy (Kildare Sports Partnership) would like to thank the players, teachers and referees for their help in making this year’s Kildare EA Sports finals such a success:
