WEXFORD SCHOOLS DOMINATE SOUTH LEINSTER SUCCESS
The FAI Schools 5-a-side South Leinster Finals took place in Bunclody, Co: Wexford on Wednesday last (May 11):
A beautiful day and a fabulous facility created an ideal location for high class entertaining action across all five categories:
All schools partaking on the day had come through their relevant County events in either of the South Leinster locations; Carlow, Wexford or Wicklow:
The standard of football on show on the day was a joy to watch: The ones to beat were clear with two All Ireland Champions present from the previous two year’s competitions: St: Joseph’s NS, Gorey were All Ireland Champions last year in the Boys “C” Section having claimed runners up spot in the same section a year previously, while 2009 was an excellent year for Gaelscoil Inbhear Mor, Wicklow who picked up the prestigious All Ireland crown in the Boys “B” Section:
The Boy’s “A” Cup was an incredibly tight affair and Ardattin NS looked to be cruising in the six team group until defeat by St: Margaret’s NS, Curracloe in their final game inflicted their first defeat of the day and allowed Boolavogue NS to pip them by a point by winning their final game:
The other teams in the group were Marshallstown NS, St: Oliver’s NS and St: Patrick’s NS who all competed very well to make the group very exciting:
The Boy’s “B” Cup was another exciting affair where Rathgarogue NS went undefeated on the day to the top the group ahead of 2009 All Ireland Champions, Gaelscoil Inbhear Mor:
The other four teams in the group; Our Lady of Lourdes NS, Glynn NS, Riverchapel NS and Bennekerry NS, all fought well for second place and some shock defeats brought the runners up position right down to the wire:
The Boy’s “C” Cup caused the biggest upset of the day with Bishop FoleyNS overcoming last year’s All Ireland Champions, St: Joseph’s NS:
The six team group had a different feel as two schools were represented by two teams in the competition but unfortunately the numerical advantage did not help St: Joseph’s or Kennedy Park while St: Patrick’s NS also brought an added entertainment value to the games:
The Girl’s “A” Cup came right to the wire as well and a draw in Ballindaggin NS’s final game against Stratford Lodge allowed a win for Bree NS in the final game of the group against Rathgarogue NS to snatch victory and progress to the Leinster Finals:
Ardattin NS and St: Margaret’s NS showed why they came through their respective sections with some fine performances also:
The Girl’s “B” Cup was the only group to progress to a final as only five teams qualified from the various qualifying competitions:
In yet another tight group only two points separated the top four teams at the end with Gorey Educate Together unfortunately propping up the group:
Carysfort NS barely missed out on qualification for the final by losing out 1/0 to Riverchapel NS in the final group game leaving them a point off second place where Riverchapel NS tied up with St: Ibar’s NS but lost out on head to head:
St: Fiacc’s NS topped the group with 2 wins and 2 draws in the group stage:
The final turned out to be a great centre piece to end the competition with St: Ibar’s NS holding out for a 2/1 victory against the strong Carlow side:
Bunclody AFC should be commended for allowing the schools the use of their fine FAI Regional Development Centre: The referee’s on the day were exceptional coming from FCJ Bunclody and a huge thank you goes out to the group of Transition Year’s who assisted on the day:
All the teachers and coaches need a special note of congratulations for preparing the teams so well for the day and treating all referees and officials with courtesy and respect on the day:
A massive congratulation’s to all the winners who qualified for the Leinster Finals in Navan next Thursday, May 19 and we wish you all the best:
SOUTH LEINSTER REGIONAL FINALISTS:
BOYS “A” CUP
TEAMS:
Ardattin NS, Carlow
Boolavogue NS, Wexford
Marshallstown NS, Wexford
St: Margaret’s NS, Wexford
St: Oliver’s NS, Wexford
St: Patrick’s NS
BOYS “B” CUP
TEAMS:
Our Lady of Lourdes, Wexford
Glynn NS, Wexford
Riverchapel NS, Wexford
Rathgarogue NS, Wexford
Gaelscoil
Bennekerry NS, Carlow
BOYS “C” CUP
TEAMS:
St: Joseph’s “A”, Carlow
St: Joseph’s “B”, Carlow
Kennedy Park “A”, Wexford
Kennedy Park “B”, Wexford
St: Patrick’s NS,
Bishop Foley NS, Carlow
GIRLS “A” CUP
TEAMS:
Ardattin NS, Carlow
Ballindaggin NS, Wexford
Rathgarogue NS, Wexford
St: Margaret’s NS, Wexford
Bree NS, Wexford
Stratford Lodge NS, Wicklow
GIRLS “B” CUP
TEAMS:
Riverchapel NS, Wexford
Gorey Educate Together, Wexford
St: Ibar’s NS, Wexford
St: Fiacc’s NS,
Carysfort NS, Wicklow
END
