PREVIEW | FAI Schools Primary 5s Leinster Finals Day
Monday, May 13, 2024
The impressive surrounds of the MDL Grounds in Navan will host the FAI Schools Primary 5s Leinster Finals Day on Wednesday, May 15.
192 players from 24 teams in 24 schools have qualified fromtheir County Finals showdown and then again in their Regional qualifiers (Dublin, Mid Leinster, South Leinster & North Leinster) to reach this stage of competition with six sections up for grabs in the boys and girls divisions.
The standard of football in the qualifying rounds was excellent, with the Provincial Finals Day expected to exceed this with some extremely good groupings up for decision.
There is a good geographical spread of schools as Dublin have 6 qualified, while Meath have 4, Carlow 3, Wicklow (2), Kilkenny (2), Kildare (2) and the remaining Counties have one involved, namely; Westmeath, Laois, Wexford, Louth and Offaly making up the 24 excited finalists.
Who will come through their respective section for an opportunity to line out at the Aviva Stadium at the end of the month? Lets look at the make up of teams involved in each division:
The ‘A’ Cup for boys or mix teams in small schools (0-25 boys) will see Boyterstown NS, St. Colman’s NS, St. Joseph’s NS, Hacketstown and Scoil Moibhi all in contention for the Leinster title. While the Girls ‘A’ Cup will see Scoil Eoin Naofa NS, Naomh Bríd NS, Knockananna, St. Leonard’s NS, Dunnamaggin and Coil Isiunta an Dea Aoire (Good Shepard) all in the mix.
Another eye catching division is the ‘B’ Cup which will see Kenstown NS, Scoil Chóca Naofa, Ballon NS and Gaelscoil Cholmcille all gunning for glory. The Girls ‘B’ Cup for medium schools (26-80 girls) have an array of talent with Gaelscoil na Boinne, Trim, Scoil Chomhgain Naofa, Marshalstown NS and Sacred Heart NS all looking to impress.
The large schools category (81+ boys), the ‘C’ Cup will have some competition with St. Declan’s NS, Ashbourne, St. Laurence NS, Gaelscoil Oscri and Bayside NS all lining out for top spot. Likewise, the Girls ‘C’ Cup will serve up a delight with St. Malachy GNS, St. Laurence’s NS, St. Fiacc’s NS and Our Lady’s Grove PS all relishing the chance to progress to the National stage.
The provincial winners will go on to represent Leinster in the FAI Schools Primary 5s National Finals which is scheduled for Wednesday, May 29 at Aviva Stadium, Dublin
What’s it all about?
The 5-a-side competition which is open to boys and girls from 4th, 5th and 6th class, and puts emphasis on fun and inclusivity. The blitz day format is co-ordinated at local level with the assistance of a network of FAI Development Officers and local primary school teachers. These personnel co-ordinate events at County level with qualifying schools progressing to Regional, Provincial and National Finals.
The programme will see 2,025 schools engaged in the competition with 42,064 students participating this season with a remarkable 45% of those participants female.
There are 6 divisions to suit all school sizes with small, medium and large schools all catered for. While the programme encourages 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 centered and exciting environment.
LIST OF PARTICIPAING SCHOOLS
‘A’ Cup Small Schools (Boys / Mixed Teams)
Meath Boyerstown NS
Offaly St. Colman’s NS
Carlow St. Joseph’s NS, Hacketstown
Dublin Scoil Moibhi
Girls ‘A’ Cup Small Schools (Girls Only)
Westmeath Scoil Eoin Naofa
Wicklow Naomh Bríd NS, Knockananna
Kilkenny St. Leonard’s NS, Dunnamaggin
Dublin Coil Isiunta an Dea Aoire
‘B’ Cup Medium Schools (Boys / Mixed Teams)
Meath Kentstown NS
Kildare Scoil Chóca Naofa
Carlow Ballon NS
Dublin Gaelscoil Cholmcille
Girls ‘B’ Cup Medium Schools (Girls Only)
Meath Gaelscoil na Boinne, Trim
Laois Scoil Chomhgain Naofa
Wexford Marshalstown NS
Dublin Sacred Heart NS
‘C’ Cup Large Schools (Boys / Mixed Teams)
Meath St. Declan’s NS, Ashbourne
Wicklow St. Laurence NS
Kilkenny Gaelscoil Osrai
Dublin Bayside NS
Girls ‘C’ Cup Large Schools (Girls Only)
Louth St. Malachy’s GNS
Kildare St. Laurence NS
Carlow St. Fiacc’s NS
Dublin Our Lady’s Grove PS
Schedule of Events: #Primary5s
Provincial
Ulster Finals: May 15, 2024, Bailieboro Celtic AFC, Cavan
Leinster Finals: May 15, 2024, MDL Grounds, Trim Road, Navan, Meath
Munster Finals: May 15 (Girls) & May 16 (Boys) 2024, Cahir Park AFC, Tipperary
Connacht Finals: May 15, 2024 (Girls) & May 16 (Boys) 2024, Milebush, Castlebar, Mayo
National
National Finals: May 29, 2024, Aviva Stadium, Dublin
