Dublin schools shine in Leinster #SPAR5s
Thursday, May 10, 2018
192 students from 24 schools in Dublin, Meath, Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Offaly, Louth, Longford, Wicklow and Wexford competed in the SPAR FAI Primary School 5s Leinster Finals which were held in the superb MDL Grounds, Navan this afternoon (May 10)
The event saw 31,728 children participate this year. The competition has been running since the mid 1990’s, the event is more popular than ever with an impressive 1,528 schools involved in 2018.
This year saw an impressive 3 schools from Dublin make the cut as well as qualifiers from Carlow, Offaly and Wexford.
Flying the flag for Dublin in the Aviva will be Gaelscoil Chulain Dolcain, Scoil Assaim, Raheny and reigning National Champions Our Lady of Good Counsel GNS, Johnstown. Alongside them representing Leinster will be our Carlow starlets, Rathoe NS, Offaly dynamos Clonlisk NS and Wexford legends St. Fintan’s NS.
Republic of Ireland Senior International Manager Martin O’Neill was on hand in Navan to present the silverware to the winners and runners-up alongside Willie O’Byrne, Managing Director, SPAR Ireland.
SPAR ‘A’ Cup (Small Schools, boys/mixed teams)
There was victory for the Midlands as Clonlisk NS of Offaly took another step in their first ever time entering the competition, to lifting national gold. In a group that went right down to the wire between three teams, it was the Offaly school that emerged as victors following a thumping 12-2 victory over Dublin side, St. Mary’s NS. This ended the hopes of Scoil Naomh Brid who had destiny in their own hands in the final round after defeating the eventual winners 2-1. However a 4-2 defeat to Scoil Seosamh Naomtha brought all three sides on to six points following Clonlisk’s 5-4 win over the Meath opposition in the first round. Goal difference was the deciding factor and on this occasion favoured the boys from Offaly.
Scoil Seosamh Naomtha |
4 |
5 |
Clonlisk NS |
St. Mary's NS |
1 |
7 |
Scoil Naomh Brid |
Scoil Seosamh Naomtha |
5 |
0 |
St. Mary's NS |
Clonlisk NS |
1 |
2 |
Scoil Naomh Brid |
Scoil Seosamh Naomtha |
4 |
2 |
Scoil Naomh Brid |
Clonlisk NS |
12 |
2 |
St. Mary's NS |
|
|
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
GD |
Pts |
1 |
Clonlisk NS |
3 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
18 |
8 |
10 |
6 |
2 |
Scoil Seosamh Naomtha |
3 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
13 |
7 |
6 |
6 |
3 |
Scoil Naomh Brid |
3 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
11 |
6 |
5 |
6 |
4 |
St. Mary's NS |
3 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
3 |
24 |
-21 |
0 |
SPAR ‘B’ Cup (Medium Schools, boys/mixed teams)
D'éirigh le Gaelscoil Chluain Dolcain i Roinn B. The Fairview-based Irish-speaking school were dominant in their contests, only dropping points to Athboy side O’Growney’s NS in a 1-1 draw. Either side of that stalemate, they inflicted 7-0 defeats upon Scoil Bhride, Milltown and Gaelscoil an Inbhir Mhóir. Scoil Bhride were the first victims in the opening game but they managed to settle into the competition from there on in and pipped Athboy NS to the runner-up spot with a 5-3 victory in the final game.
Scoil Bhride Milltown |
0 |
7 |
Gaelscoil Chluain Dolcain |
Gaelscoil an Inbhir Mhóir |
0 |
1 |
O’Growney’s NS, Athboy |
Scoil Bhride Milltown |
5 |
2 |
Gaelscoil an Inbhir Mhóir |
Gaelscoil Chluain Dolcain |
1 |
1 |
O’Growney’s NS, Athboy |
Scoil Bhride Milltown |
5 |
3 |
O’Growney’s NS, Athboy |
Gaelscoil Chluain Dolcain |
7 |
0 |
Gaelscoil an Inbhir Mhóir |
|
|
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
GD |
Pts |
1 |
Gaelscoil Chluain Dolcain |
3 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
15 |
1 |
14 |
7 |
2 |
Scoil Bhride, Milltown |
3 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
10 |
12 |
-2 |
6 |
3 |
O’Growney’s NS, Athboy |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
5 |
6 |
-1 |
4 |
4 |
Gaelscoil an Inbhir Mhóir |
3 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
2 |
13 |
-11 |
0 |
SPAR ‘C’ Cup (Large Schools, boys/mixed teams)
It was another victory for Dublin in the large schools section as Scoil Assaim of Raheny took no prisoners as they earned maximum points from the three ties. A 7-0 win over Bishop Foley National School instilled plenty of confidence within the side. This confidence proved crucial as they battled past Bunscoil Buachaillí Réalt na Mara and Scoil Ui Riada in consecutive 3-2 victories. The Meath school, Réalt na Mara, took the second spot with a 2-1 victory over Scoil Ui Riada in the opening round proving decisive in the final tallies.
Scoil Assaim |
7 |
0 |
Bishop Foley National School |
Bunscoil Buachaillí Réalt na Mara |
2 |
1 |
Scoil Ui Riada |
Scoil Assaim |
3 |
2 |
Bunscoil Buachaillí Réalt na Mara |
Bishop Foley National School |
2 |
4 |
Scoil Ui Riada |
Scoil Assaim |
3 |
2 |
Scoil Ui Riada |
Bishop Foley National School |
2 |
5 |
Bunscoil Buachaillí Réalt na Mara |
|
|
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
GD |
Pts |
1 |
Scoil Assaim |
3 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
13 |
4 |
9 |
9 |
2 |
Bunscoil Buachaillí Réalt na Mara |
3 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
9 |
6 |
3 |
6 |
3 |
Scoil Ui Riada |
3 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
7 |
7 |
0 |
3 |
4 |
Bishop Foley National School |
3 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
4 |
16 |
-12 |
0 |
SPAR Girls ‘A’ Cup (Small Schools, girls only)
With the current Women’s National League Champions hailing from Wexford, it is no surprise to see that the success is inspiring future generations to aspire to National success as St. Fintan’s National School claimed the provincial honours. The day began for them with a rousing 7-0 victory over Good Shepherd NS. They maintained their form with a 2-0 win over Scoil Chiarain Naofa and went into a winner-takes-all showdown with Louth school Bellurgan NS in the final round, winning out 3-1.
Good Shepherd NS |
0 |
7 |
St. Fintan’s National School |
Bellurgan National School |
5 |
1 |
Scoil Chiarain Naofa |
Good Shepherd NS |
1 |
7 |
Bellurgan National School |
St. Fintan’s National School |
2 |
0 |
Scoil Chiarain Naofa |
Good Shepherd NS |
0 |
5 |
Scoil Chiarain Naofa |
St. Fintan’s National School |
3 |
1 |
Bellurgan National School |
|
|
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
GD |
Pts |
1 |
St. Fintan’s National School |
3 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
12 |
1 |
11 |
9 |
2 |
Bellurgan National School |
3 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
13 |
5 |
8 |
6 |
3 |
Scoil Chiarain Naofa |
3 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
6 |
7 |
-1 |
3 |
4 |
Good Shepherd NS |
3 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
19 |
-18 |
0 |
SPAR Girls ‘B’ Cup (Medium Schools, girls only)
The South East were again dictating matters in the girls competitions as Carlow side Rathoe National School booked their place in the Aviva Stadium at the end of May. They claimed an unbeaten record from their performances with a 3-1 victory over Scoil Cholmcille and a 5-0 win over Kilkenny Schools Project led them into their final group showdown with Bracken ETNS. In a thrilling game with the Dublin side, Rathoe came out the better of a 7-goal game. Scoil Cholmcille managed to steal the runners-up spot from Dublin side Bracken ETNS with their 4-0 victory, poking them a goal in front on goal difference after the head-to-head was null and void following the 3-3 draw between the sides earlier in the day.
Rathoe National School |
3 |
1 |
Scoil Cholmcille |
Kilkenny Schools Project |
0 |
2 |
Bracken ETNS |
Rathoe National School |
5 |
0 |
Kilkenny Schools Project |
Scoil Cholmcille |
3 |
3 |
Bracken ETNS |
Rathoe National School |
4 |
3 |
Bracken ETNS |
Scoil Cholmcille |
4 |
0 |
Kilkenny Schools Project |
|
|
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
GD |
Pts |
1 |
Rathoe National School |
3 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
12 |
4 |
8 |
9 |
2 |
Scoil Cholmcille |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
8 |
6 |
2 |
4 |
3 |
Bracken ETNS |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
8 |
7 |
1 |
4 |
4 |
Kilkenny Schools Project |
3 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
11 |
-11 |
0 |
SPAR Girls ‘C’ Cup (Large Schools, girls only)
Returning to the Aviva Stadium will be the 2017 SPAR Girls ‘C’ Cup winners, Our Lady of Good Counsel GNS. The Johnstown stars once again claimed provincial honours with a fantastic display throughout. Teachers David O’Connor and Mark Barry were welcoming back an experienced trio in Liadh Burns, Ella Moriarty and Lillymae Coyne to the panel. These players were vital in their success story in 2017 and proved equally important this afternoon. Two 4-1 victories and a 3-1 victory will see the Dublin side attempt to repeat fate when they cruised through the National Finals. Offaly newbies St. Philomena’s NS eventually took second place with Scoil Mhuire, Newtownforbes falling short in their bid to claim silver medals with a 2-1 defeat to third placed Scoil Mhuire gan Smál NS.
Scoil Mhuire Newtownforbes |
2 |
2 |
St. Philomena's NS |
Our Lady of Good Counsel GNS |
4 |
1 |
Scoil Mhuire gan Smál NS |
Scoil Mhuire Newtownforbes |
1 |
3 |
Our Lady of Good Counsel GNS |
St. Philomena's NS |
2 |
0 |
Scoil Mhuire gan Smál NS |
Scoil Mhuire Newtownforbes |
1 |
2 |
Scoil Mhuire gan Smál NS |
St. Philomena's NS |
1 |
4 |
Our Lady of Good Counsel GNS |
|
|
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
GD |
Pts |
1 |
Our Lady of Good Counsel GNS |
3 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
11 |
3 |
8 |
9 |
2 |
St. Philomena's NS |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
5 |
6 |
-1 |
4 |
3 |
Scoil Mhuire gan Smál NS |
3 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
3 |
7 |
-4 |
3 |
4 |
Scoil Mhuire, Newtownforbes |
3 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
7 |
-3 |
1 |
The six Provincial finalists will now travel to Dublin for the National Finals which will be held in the Aviva Stadium on Wednesday, May 30 (KO 11.30am). We would urge all participating schools to take the day off and travel to the Dublin finale to support their school in what should prove to be a phenomenal day for all involved, players and spectators alike.
It promises to be a fantastic fun filled family day with a “Player of the Tournament” accolade for each section, goodie bags and medals for ALL 192 participants as they’re all winners on the day!
Spectators will be entertained with a super day of action as well as face painting, samba drummers, a well-known DJ to play some great tunes to gear us up for the games and a chance for one special supporter to win an epic prize in the Young Sports Journalist competition. You’ll have to stay tuned on the day to see who will be crowned 2018 Champions.
Cheer on the schools from your classroom or office chair if you can’t make the trip to Dublin and follow the progress on the FAI Schools Facebook and Twitter pages (@faischools)
Summary of our #SPAR5swinners and runners up
Group Winner Runner Up
SPAR ‘A’ Cup (small schools) Clonlisk NS, Offaly Scoil Seosamh Naomtha, Dunderry, Meath
SPAR ‘B’ Cup (medium schools) Gaelscoil Chluain Dolcain, Dublin Scoil Bhride, Milltown, Kildare
SPAR ‘C’ Cup (large schools) Scoil Assaim, Raheny, Dublin Bunscoil Buachaillí Réalt na Mara, Meath
SPAR Girls ‘A’ Cup (small schools) St. Fintan’s National School, Wexford Bellurgan National School, Louth
SPAR Girls ‘B’ Cup (medium schools) Rathoe National School, Carlow Scoil Cholmcille, Skryne NS, Meath
SPAR Girls ‘C’ Cup (large schools) Our Lady of Good Counsel GNS, Dublin St. Philomena’s NS, Offaly
Follow the action on social media via #SPAR5sor at www.faischools.ie and www.spar.ie
SPAR FAI Primary School 5s Programme
PROVINCIAL
Ulster Final: May 2 John Sherlock Park, Cootehill Harps FC, Co. Cavan
Connacht Final: May 3 Solar21 Park, Castlebar, Co. Mayo
Munster Final: May 8+9 Mounthawk Park, Tralee, Co. Kerry
Leinster Final: May 10 MDL Grounds, Trim Road, Navan, Co. Meath
NATIONAL
National Final: May 30 Aviva Stadium, Dublin
For more information:
Diane Fay, FAI Schools Diane.Fay@fai.ie / 086 0404 952
Kio Lopez, Teneo PSG Kio.lopez@teneopsg.com / 086 014 4914
END