The cream of schools futsal will demonstrate their skills and ability with the conclusion of the FAI Post Primary Schools First Year Futsal Finals this Wednesday (December 5) as Franciscan College, Gormanston plays host:
This event will see four provincial finalists in each of the boys and girls sections as they compete to be crowned ALL IRELAND FUTSAL CHAMPIONS
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 fourth 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 and Provincial levels to the All Ireland 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 5,000 students have taken part in the FAI Schools futsal Initiative inside a three month period in Primary & Post Primary Schools throughout Ireland:
Sean 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 Gormanston this week:
The focus will be on our local talent with eight schools competing for the coveted title of All Ireland Post Primary Schools Futsal Champions:
It will be futsal fever in Franciscan College as Schools representing Wicklow, Kerry, Mayo and Monaghan will contest the Boys Section while Dublin, Cork, Sligo and Cavan will all challenge for the crown in the Girls Section:
The boys draw will be a closely fought encounter with Connacht stars Ballinrobe Community School, Mayo up against Ulster kingpins Our Lady’s Secondary School, Castleblaney, Leinster legends Dublin Oak Academy, Bray and the mighty Munster men of Mercy Mounthawk Secondary School, Tralee areall bidding for glory:
Eoin Murphy’s squad won on penalties against a hungry St: Louis of Kiltimagh in their County decider as the sides were level 2/2 after full time in their final game: The experienced gained from this encounter stand to them in the Connacht qualifiers as they suffered well under pressure for long periods and eventually won out in a highly competitive group stage meeting
Tourishs’ tornado’s St: Lady’s of Castleblaney will be bringing plenty of support with them as they make the trip to the Meath venue: The School overcame Stranorlar outfit St: Columba’s College and Breifne College, Cavan in their Provincial outing last week and will be looking to the likes of Captain David Hanley and Eli Ward to guide them to success yet again: The pressure will be on Tourish this time around as Patrician High School, Carrickmacross came a gallant third place in 2010 for the Ulster crew: Neighbours Castleblaney will be looking to go one better next time out:
Bray’s Dublin Oak Academy defeated last year’s Leinster stars St: Peter’s College, Dunboyne to progress to this stage: The squad remained undefeated in their five group games averaging three goals a game in the Leinster Finals: Will John McShane’s crew keep up their impressive style of play in the All Ireland series?
Mercy Mounthawk mentor Eamon Lally will have his team well prepared for Wednesday’s events as they secured a splendid victory in their Provincial encounter: The team were solid in defence with a very good attacking presence: Mercy Mounthawk remained unbeaten in the thrilling Provincial decider which saw them overcome some strong opposition such as CBS Sexton Street, who last won the Futsal title in 2009 and Waterford’s De La Salle College
The four girls Provincial finalists have created great excitement in their respective schools with their progression to the National stage: Loreto Secondary School, Balbriggan, Christ King Girls’ Secondary School, Cork, Mercy College, Sligo and Bailieborough Community School, Cavan are all within striking distance of the silverware:
Stuart O’Brien will lead his side out as Loreto Secondary School, Balbriggan make the short journey to compete for the ultimate prize of being crowned All Ireland futsal stars
Cork’s Christ King Girls’ are no strangers to this competition as they secured an All Ireland futsal title in 2010: Can Fergal O’Leary’s side repeat winning ways two years on in the same venue?
Bailieborough Community School will be entering Wednesday’s finals as debutants but mentor Bridgeen Harley won’t mind this as it takes the pressure off her team: All eyes will be focused on the Cork girls so the opposition may feature well under the radar:
Sligo’s Mercy College would love to replicate neighbouring Roscommon’s title honours as Scoil Mhuire gan Smal secured the silverware at the All Ireland Finals for Connacht twelve months previously: David Kearins is looking forward to the contest as his side thorough enjoyed their outing in IT Sligo two weeks previously:
Mr: Gerard Dunne, FAI National Co/ordinator for Schools, Third Level & Women’s 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,"
"Players like Fernando Torres have been brought up from a background of playing futsal and it can be a benefit to our young players":
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:::
List of participating Schools:
Leinster (Boys) Dublin Oak Academy, Bray, Wicklow
Teacher: John McShane
Leinster (Girls) Loreto Secondary School, Balbriggan, Dublin
Teacher: Stuart O’Brien
Ulster (Boys) Our Lady’s Secondary School, Castleblaney
Teacher: Enda Tourish
Ulster (Girls) Bailieborough Community School, Cavan
Teacher: Bridgeen Harley
Munster (Girls) Christ King Girls’ Secondary School, Cork
Teacher: Fergal O’Leary
Munster (Boys) Mercy Mounthawk Secondary School
Teacher: Eamon Lally
Connacht (Boys) Ballinrobe Community School
Teacher: Eoin Murphy
Connacht (Girls) Mercy College, Sligo
Teacher: David Kearins
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