Counties Share Spoils in Munster
The Regional Sports Centre in Waterford City was the venue for the Munster Finals of the Xtra/vision FAI Schools 5-a-side Competition on Wednesday last, 12 May:
The event saw over 14,000 children participate last year: The competition has been running since the mid 1990’s, the event is more popular than ever with 952 schools involved in 2009:
The Xtra/vision FAI Schools 5 A Side is the biggest and best competition in the 2010 Primary Schools Soccer Calendar: There are 5 divisions to suit all school sizes: While FAI Schools and Xtra/vision encourage 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:
A total of 30 Schools descended on the Waterford venue for the competition and things were hotting up for the Semi Final stages as golden goals decided many of the final fixtures:
In the Boys “A” Section Broadford NS from Limerick and Scoil Iosagain, Cork made it to the final: The final was a real tense affair but the Limerick boys just edged it 4/3: Broadford were Munster Champions in 2008 and clinched runners up spot in the All Ireland series that same year: The School will no doubt be looking to go one better in two weeks time at the All Ireland Finals:
Section “A” Girls was also very keenly contested: Scoil na Maighdine Mhuire (Newmarket on Fergus NS), Clare went on to win after an impressive performance in their group stages, opening their account by defeating last year’s qualifiers Greenmount 4/2: This was followed by a comprehensive 7/1 victory of Gaelscoil Listowel:
Scoil Eoin Naofa and Granagh were very strong in Group 2 and this followed a pulsating tie of Semi Final fixtures: Both semi finals were decided on golden goal after Newmarket on Fergus and Granagh played out a scoreless draw while Scoil Eoin Naofa and Gaelscoil Listowel were tied on two apiece: Both golden goals came within seconds of the restart and it was jubilation from Newmarket on Fergus and Scoil Eoin Naofa as they scored in additional time to progress to the Final:
There was literally nothing between the teams in this the final hurdle however Newmarket on Fergus hit a winner late on and secured the title for the banner County as the game finished 4/3: The School will be the only representatives from Clare to travel to Tullamore for the National Finals:
In Section B Scoil Bhride Loreto from Kerry and St: John’s NS from Cork City qualified from Group A with the Kingdom winning both their matches: Roxborough NS from Limerick topped Group B and Scared Heart from Roscrea in Tipperary also qualified as runners up: Scoil Bhride had an easy passage to the final with an 8/1 demolition of Scared Heart while St John’s and Roxborough drew after a thrilling ten goal encounter: St: John’s were the toast of Cork City as they netted first to secure the win courtesy of the golden goal rule:
The Final was little problem for the Cork outfit as they surpassed previous performances with a 5/0 win over an impressive Scoil Bhride of Killarney:
The Section “B” Girls competition was evenly matched with no one team winning both their games: The best for Holy Family, Ennis, and Presentation Convent was a win and a draw in the opening games which was replicated in the other group with Bruff and Our Lady of Mercy, all four Schools level on points:
However the Semi Finals produced an array of goals with Our Lady of Mercy, Cahir netting five times to claim a place in the Final while Bruff NS enjoyed a 3/1 victory over Listowel’s Presentation Convent:
Limerick’s Bruff NS and Our Lady of Mercy, Cahir could not be separated in what turned out to be the game of the afternoon: The sides were level 3/3 at the end of proceedings so golden goal was to decide the girls faith: Bruff NS, Limerick were fortunate enough to score first and reclaim the Provincial honours which they last won in 2008: The School finished third in the All Ireland series and will bring that experience gained to Offaly as the finale kicks off on Wednesday, 26 May:
Despite some great football from hosts Mount Sion of Waterford, Dooradoyle’s St: Paul’s and 2008 All Ireland Winners St: Anthony’s from Cork this C Section was all about CBS Tralee: The School qualified for the Provincial finals last year but were beaten by a talented St: Declan’s of Waterford twelve months ago: The Kerry School found some form in the early stages to net ten goals only conceding once to St: Conaire’s of Shannon:
Equally as good, Mount Sion scored nine goals in the opening games and progressed alongside St: Pauls for the play/offs: St: Anthony’s were victories as they claimed a narrow 3/2 win over Mount Sion in the first Semi Final: The golden goal was required to separate St: Paul’s and CBS Tralee in the other Semi Final fixture as they ended 1/1: CBS Tralee were lucky to advance as the last kick of the ball netted the winner for the Kingdom:
Last year the Munster Schools participating in the All Ireland competition did very well with debutants Powerstown NS in Clonmel bagging the ultimate prize of an All Ireland Winners Trophy in the Girls “A” Section while two years ago two Schools clinched All Ireland glory: Soil Iognáid Ris, An Daingean were victorious in the Boys “B” Section while St: Anthony’s School in Cork won the elusive “C” Schools Section: Who will reign supreme this year? Limerick have the added advantage of having two Schools qualify, while Clare, Cork and Kerry will be sending one representative School each:
The five Provincial Finalists will now travel to the National Finals which will be held in Leah Victoria Park, Tullamore on Wednesday, 26 May:
OVERVIEW:
Section “A” Schools: Scoil Mhuire, Broadford, Limerick
Section “A” Girls Schools: Scoil na Maighdine Newmarket on Fergus, Clare
Section “B” Schools: St: John’s NS, Mayfield, Cork
Section “B” Girls Schools: Bruff NS, Limerick
Section “C” Schools: CBS Tralee, Clounalour, Kerry
MUNSTER PROVINCIAL FINALISTS:
“A” Schools:
TEAMS
Cooralcare NS, Clare
Scoil Mhuire, Tallow NS, Waterford
Kilcummin NS, Killarney, Kerry
Bishop Harty NS, Nenagh, Tipperary
Broadford NS, Limerick
Scoil Iosagain, Aghada, Cork
RESULTS:
Group 1
Cooralcare NS 1/2 Scoil Iosagain
Scoil Iosagain 4/3 Kilcummin NS
Kilcummin 3/6 Cooraclare NS
Group 2
Broadford NS 6/4 Bishop Harty NS
Bishop Harty NS 1/3 Scoil Mhuire Tallow
Scoil Mhuire 1/2 Broadford NS
Semi Final
Scoil Iosagain 4/4 Scoil Mhuire Tallow
Scoil Iosagain won on golden goal
Broadford NS 5/3 Cooraclare
Final
Broadford NS 4/3 Scoil Iosagain
Scoil Mhuire, Broadford, Co: Limerick: Matthew Daly, William Quaid, Luca Giraldi, Anthony Barrett, Séamus Flanagan, Glen McNamara, Denis Donegan, Killian Lynch
Teacher: Mary Lynch, Principal: Kathleen Barry
“A” Girls Schools:
TEAMS
Scoil na Maighdine Mhuire, Newmarket on Fergus NS, Clare
Kilmacthomas NS, Waterford
Gaelscoil, Listowel, Kerry
Scoil Eoin Naofa NS, Roscrea, Tipperary
Granagh NS, Limerick
Scoil Mhuire na nGras, Greenmount Girls NS, Cork
RESULTS:
Group 1
Newmarket on Fergus 4/2 Greenmount
Greenmount 4/5 Gaelscoil Listowel
Gaelscoil Listowel 1/7 Newmarket on Fergus
Group 2
Granagh NS 3/4 Scoil Eoin Naofa
Scoil Eoin Naofa 7/1 Kilmacthomas
Kilmacthomas 2/2 Granagh NS
Semi Final
Newmarket on Fergus 0/0 Granagh
Newmarket won on golden goal
Scoil Eoin Naofa 2/2 Listowel
Scoil Eoin Naofa won on golden goal
Final
Scoil na Maighdine Mhuire, Newmarket on Fergus NS, Clare 4/3 Scoil Eoin Naofa
Scoil na Maighdine Mhuire, Newmarket/On/ Fergus, Co: Clare: Ciara McCarthy, Megan Maguire, Shiva Brennan, Rachel Kelleher, Lucy Greave , Alice Sheedy, Sabrina McCarthy, Rachel Sheedy
Teacher: Moira McMahon, Principal: Ann McMahon
“B” Schools:
TEAMS
St: Senan’s NS, Clare
Piltown NS, Kilkenny
Scoil Bride Loreto, Killarney, Kerry
Sacred Heart NS, Roscrea, Tipperary
Roxborough NS, Limerick
St: John’s NS, Mayfield, Cork City
RESULTS:
Group 1
St Senan NS 2/6 St John’s
St John’s 1/2 Scoil Bhride
Scoil Bhride 5/3 St Senan’s
Group 2
Roxborough NS 5/2 Sacred Heart
Sacred Heart 6/2 Piltown NS
Piltown NS 2/2 Roxborough
Semi Final
Scoil Bhride 8/1 Sacred Heart
Roxborough 5/5 St John’s
St John’s won on golden goal
Final
St John’s NS Mayfield, Cork5/0 Scoil Bhride
St: John the Apostle Boys’ Primary School, Mayfield, Cork: James Morrissey, Ryan Cotter, Aaron O’Regan, Seán O’Callaghan, David O’Gorman, Jack Martin, Adam Geraghty, Cian Cambridge
Teacher: Paddy Flynn
Girls “B” Schools:
TEAMS
Holy Family NS, Ennis, Clare
Piltown NS, Kilkenny
Presentation Convent, Listowel, Kerry
Our Lady of Mercy NS, Cahir, Tipperary
Bruff NS, Limerick
Scoil Barra, Ballincollig, Cork
RESULTS:
Group 1
Holy Family 2/0 Scoil Barra
Scoil Barra 3/4 Presentation Convent
Presentation Convent 0/0 Holy Family
Group 2
Bruff NS 1/0 Our Lady of Mercy NS
Our Lady of Mercy NS 4/2 Piltown NS
Piltown NS 1/1 Bruff NS
Semi Finals
Our Lady of Mercy NS 5/1 Holy Family
Bruff NS 3/1 Presentation Convent
Final
Bruff NS 3/3 Our Lady of Mercy
Bruff NS won on golden goal
Bruff NS, Limerick: Paula Bateman, Jennifer Farrell, Megan O'Rourke, Zoe Ryan, Marian Quaid, Íde McCarthy, Rachel Madden, Ciara Murphy
Teacher: Pat Dunne, Principal: Tom Bulfin and First Aid: Ruth Ryan
“C” Schools:
TEAMS
St: Conaires NS, Clare
Mount Sion NS, Waterford
CBS Clounalour, Tralee, Kerry
Monastery CBS, Tipperary Town
St: Paul’s NS, Dooradoyle, Limerick
St: Anthony’s NS, Ballinlough, Cork
RESULTS:
Group 1
St Conaires 2/3 St Anthony’s
St Anthony’s 0/5 CBS Tralee
CBS Tralee 5/1 St Conaires
Group 2
St: Paul’s NS Dooradoyle 4/1 Monastery NS
Monastery NS 3/5 Mount Sion
Mount Sion 4/2 St Paul’s NS
Semi Final
CBS Tralee 101 St: Paul’s
CBS Tralee won on golden goal
St Anthony’s 3/2 Mount Sion
Final
Tralee CBS 3/2 St: Anthony’s
CBS Clounalour, Tralee, Co: Kerry: Michael Costello, Darcy Pototzki, Darren Basible, Mario Ziga, Segun Duyile, James Duggan, Calvin Foley, Ryan Byrne
Principal: Denis Coleman
Other images of participating schools can be found in the gallery section of the website: