Squads announced ahead of National Futsal Finals

The curtain will finally come down on the FAI Post Primary Schools First Year Boys & Girls Futsal calendar this Thursday, December 8 with a tantalizing National show-down in store. The event will take place in the impressive Waterford IT Arena, Carriganore

Boys and girls of all sporting abilities will be hoping to emulate the talents of former players such as Lionel Messi, Zico, Juninio, Kaka and Ronaldo.

Futsal is said to be the world’s most played small sided sport with 25 million participants.  The game is praised for the number of star footballers it has nurtured over the years. Therefore it’s not surprising to hear that Brazil is estimated to have more futsal players than football players. The two disciplines complement each another brilliantly.

These legends of the football world have inspired youngsters to get involved and in doing so have increased the profile of futsal on an International scale.

Futsal is the official indoor version of “the beautiful game”. It’s a fantastic way for young players to develop and improve their football abilities in a highly paced environment. The nature of the game creates an emphasis on improvisation, creativity, technique as well as ball control and passing in confined spaces.

The competition now in its ninth year has grown steadily with participation at an all time high. The competition caters for boys and girls in first year. Competitions commenced in October with schools progressing from County to Provincial levels and now onto the National series.

As part of the FAI Schools development programme, futsal is used as a way of introducing youngsters to the game of football and thus increasing grassroots participation within the sport.

Over 15,000 students have taken part in the FAI Schools futsal Initiative inside a three month period in Primary & Post Primary Schools throughout Ireland.

Seán Carr, Chairman, FAI Schools paid tribute to the enormous contribution of the FAI’s Regional Development Officers in overseeing the competitions at local level.

“The growth of the game within the schools structure can be attributed to the hard work being done at local level by the Development Officers as they play a vital role in the success of the initiative each year”.

The climax of the Post Primary School’s event will see the cream of schools futsal on display in Waterford later in the week

The focus will be on our local talent with eight schools competing for the coveted title of National Futsal Champions.

Schools from Kerry, Kilkenny, Galway and Donegal will contest the Girls section while Sligo, Donegal, Louth and Cork will all challenge for the crown in the Boys section.

The four girls Provincial finalists have created great excitement in their respective schools with their progression to the National stage. Pobalscoil Inbhear Scéine, Kenmare, Presentation Secondary School, Kilkenny, Claregalway College and Loreto Community School, Milford are all within striking distance of the silverware.

These schools are no strangers to schools football with Claregalway College girls winning the National Minor title last season. The youngsters all in first year of education will be aspiring to the success of their counterparts in this fun filled event. Five of the Galway girls were involved in the SPAR 5s National Finals for their Primary school last May when they appeared in the Girls ‘B’ Section for medium schools, representing Claregalway National School in the Aviva Stadium. Alanah Griffin, Annagh Moran, Shauna Brennan, Kate Slevin and Caoilfhionn O’Dwyer came a gallant runners up in the prestigious competition. Likewise Presentation SS, Kilkenny were beaten finalists in the National Senior Cup in Waterford last year, missing out on the title to namesake Presentation SS, Thurles in a thrilling final. Newcomers Pobalscoil Inbhear Scéine and Loreto Milford will relish the occasion and have nothing to lose as they challenge for the honours this time out. 

The boys draw will be a closely fought encounter with Summerhill College, Sligo, Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana, St. Mary’s Diocesan School, Drogheda and St. Francis College, Rochestown all bidding for glory.

Scoil Mhuire have been involved at this level before, coming third in 2011 in the Nationals. The Buncrana girls also starred more recently in 2013 coming in third place. Can Eoin Leonard and Vinnie Hegarty guide them to National success in 2016?

St. Mary’s DS have a number of talented players that featured in FAI Schools competitions previously. Similar to the Claregalway ladies, a number of them lined out in the Aviva last May for the SPAR 5s National Finals. Representing Scoil Cholmcille, Mount Hanover were Conor McQuail Leech, Adam Kelly, captained his side to National success grabbing gold that day. Star of the show was Alan Bowden who picked up the Player of the Tournament accolade in Section ‘A’ for small schools making it a day to remember for the trio and the Duleek school. Can they make it another top podium finish on Thursday afternoon for St. Mary’s Diocesan School?

Rochestown’s St. Francis College have been in formidable form in this competition as they cruised into the Nationals following a stunning performance in their provincial qualifiers. All eyes will be on Adrian Thibaut, Jay Clarke and Barry McCarthy who were outstanding for the Cork school.

Sligo’s Summerhill College had an impressive outing in their provincial decider as they notched up 14 goals in 4 games, only conceding 6. Pat Tuohy will have the boys well prepared for this encounter as they go in search of National glory. They last starred in the Nationals in 2013 coming runners up.

Mark Scanlon, FAI National Co-ordinator for Schools & Third Level Football will oversee proceedings on the day and is very excited by the fixtures on display.

"Futsal is the way we see football being taken forward in the country and from what I have seen at Provincial Finals nationwide and in Dublin, it is very encouraging,"

"Current Republic of Ireland Captain and St. Catherine’s VS, Killybegs scholar Seamus Coleman played Futsal during his time with Sligo Rovers and his recent goal against Georgia was certainly reminiscent of Futsal skills."

The competition has proven to be very successful at local level and this is evident with the huge numbers of entrants and the sheer quality of futsal being demonstrated. The competition has caught the imagination of everybody involved and should prove highly entertaining for the travelling supporters when the games commence...

For further information on the event please contact Diane Fay, FAI Schools on 01 8999 522.

GIRLS SECTION

Claregalway College, Galway (CONNACHT): Alanah Griffin, Annagh Moran, Shauna Brennan, Kate Slevin, Nicole Sweeney , Aoife Killilea, Laura Scanlon, Caoilfhionn O’Dwyer, Aine Cellarius, Hazel Shevlin, Leoni Keane, Blathnaid Kelly

Teachers: K Burke & L Murray

Loreto Community School, Milford, Donegal (ULSTER): Orla Corry, Sinead McBride, Leah Afxentiou, Nadine Gallagher, Orla Gallagher, Edel McGettigan, Aisling McCormack, Aisling Green, Emily Pastor, Kelsey McAteer, Kate Sweeney

Teachers: Alison Stoddart & Nicola McGinley

Pobalscoil Inbhear Sceine, Kenmare, Kerry (MUNSTER): Sarah Taylor, Amy Harrington, Laurie Adams, Abbie Murray, Katie Cronin, Molly Bhamvra, Rachel Riordan, Aoife Crowley

Teachers: Caroline Taylor & Thomas O'Sullivan

Presentation Secondary School, Kilkenny (LEINSTER): Ellie O’Neill, Katie Ryan, Keara Ryan, Ellen Molloy, Niamh Phelan, Sarah Barcoe, Tara Houlihan, Louise McInerney, Kate Furlong, Sarah Sida, Rachel Wheelan, Emma Shortall

Teachers: Wendy Roche & Monica Kearns

Roll of Honour

BOYS SECTION

Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana, Donegal (ULSTER): Oran McBride, Shane Doherty, Bobby Bradley, Micheal McLaughlin, Jamie McDaid, Sean McCallion, Caolan Mullholland, Kevin Jordan, Gerry McKinney, Oran McLaughlin, James O’Hagan, Paul Mullan

Teachers: Eoin Leonard & Vinnie Hegarty

St. Francis College, Rochestown, Cork (MUNSTER): Ben O'Leary, Barry McCarthy, Sean Cummins, Matthew Murphy, Adrian Thibaut, Jay Clarke, Cian O'Flaherty, Jack Cunningham, Jack Rosengrave, Ryan Driscoll, Colm O'Sullivan, Sean Brady​

Teachers: Stephen Bermingham, David Donovan & Patrick Croke

St. Mary’s Diocesan School, Drogheda, Louth (LEINSTER): Evan Fay, Emmet Higgins, Ben Maguire, Ben Sweeney, Kyle Carroll, Conor McQuail Leech, Shaun Leonard, Alan Bowden, Caolan Nulty, Owen Mullen, Adam Kelly, Fionn Meagher

Teachers: B Hobbs & G Brett

Summerhill College, Sligo (CONNACHT): Killian Barrett, Daniel Kilcullen, Fintan Campbell, Sean McAteer, Kailin Barlow, Ross Doherty, Canice Mulligan, Luke Moran, Jack Canning, Jack Mc Govern, Cathal Morahon, Ronan McGowan  

Teachers: Pat Tuohy & Adrian Barrett

Roll of Honour

END