The curtain finally came down on the FAI Post Primary Schools First Year Futsal Finals on Wednesday last (December 4) in Franciscan College, Gormanston: The boys from CBS Sexton Street in Limerick and the girls from Sacred Heart School in Westport put in some awesome performances throughout the day to claim their respective titles in fine style
This year’s format saw the participating schools play 15 minute games with schools playing each other twice, resulting in a total of six games each: Thus ensuring that top of the leader board status would guarantee the prestigious title: Some pulsating ties ensued as it was all to play for in the opening battles
The boys category was extremely difficult to determine as three teams were in contention with CBS, Summerhill and Balbriggan just too close to call with the final game in the series, the ultimate decider:
Limerick’s Steven Grant and Shane O’Sullivan held their nerve to ensure their squad saw off the challenge of their opponents with a domineering display against Breifne in their final outing resulting in 5/0 win to the Munster Champions and more importantly the 2013 Futsal Champions:
Second place Summerhill scorned earlier chances against Balbriggan and CBS resulting in the team coming a gallant runner up in a tense conclusion to the day’s events: Only one point separated the silverware this season with CBS on 9 points, Summerhill on 8 points and Balbriggan on 7 points following six competitive games each
The girls section on the other hand, had a clear cut winner with the Westport girls proving decisive in front of goal: Seamas MacEachmharcaigh’s crew won all six games, scored 17 goals and only conceded three times to claim top spot on the leader board with 12 points generated: The runners up that afternoon were Kilkenny’s Loreto Secondary School who won two, drew two and lost two:
Action summary from the boy’s category
11:30 Balbriggan 3/1 Breifne
A much fancied Balbriggan side under the stewardship of James Harding made light work of Ulster kingpins Breifne College as this game unfolded: Great combination play from Leo Tang and Paul McCarville resulted in some excellent chances scorned for the Dublin outfit within seconds of kick off: However McCarville and Lang both found the net on 4 and 6 minutes expertly: A solitary goal from Evan Finnegan brought Cavan back into the game with just two minutes remaining: However McCarville converted in the final minute to make it 3/1 to Harding’s men:
11:30 CBS 2/3 Summerhill
The Sligo men got the upper hand in the opening game of the series as Tuohy’s lads notched up a trio of goals midway through proceedings: A brace from Tyler Stallard (2) and Jack Higgans gave the Sligo squad a three nil advantage: It wasn’t until the final minute of the game that Zachari Mursal and Tony Manbouna pulled two back in quick succession for CBS: Agony for Limerick as Conor Mathews hit the post when seeking out a late equaliser: Summerhill had just done enough to take the two points on offer on a 3/2 scoreline: A game CBS should of at least drew:
12:10 Balbriggan 0/3 CBS
Balbriggan got off to a blistering start as a number of long range efforts were just inches from conversion: Balbriggan’s goalkeeper Daniel Forde pulled off a wonderful save to deny Tony Manbauna while at the other end a double bogey from Frank Cabraley was ruined as the ball hit off the post twice: CBS first goal came from an o:g: on 9 minutes while Manbauna converted a penalty two minutes later and Zachari Mursal got Limerick’s third two minutes from time
12:10 Breifne 2/4 Summerhill
The quickest goal of the afternoon was scored by Summerhill’s Jared Tiernan on 30 seconds as it was end to end action in this exciting encounter: Breifne got the equaliser 7 minutes later through Jake McGovern: Cavan’s Mark O’Dea was demonstrating some skilful futsal as the game progressed: However the Sligo lads moved up a gear with some quick attacking football: This ensured a busy afternoon for net minder Morgan McGovern (a twin of goal scorer Jake): Summerhill’s rewards came courtesy of a brace from Tyler Stallard (8 minutes, 13 minutes) and Lee Wilson: Felim Maguire got a goal back for Cavan with 30 seconds remaining to cut the deficit to two:
12:50 Balbriggan 4/1 Summerhill
Summerhill slipped up against an improved Balbriggan side in this their third outing: An excellent start by Pat Tuohy’s men saw them go ahead on 4 minutes as Captain Oisin Geraghty headed home from a corner: This was short lived as Lido Lotefa scored three minutes later: Balbriggan’s lead was doubled a minute later as colleague Paul McCarville converted despite the best efforts of goalkeeper Cian Basquille: Summerhill pressed forward and some courageous saves from Daniel Forde denied the Connacht lads a multitude of chances: Lido Lotefa got the first hat trick of the All Ireland series in the boy’s section as he converted wonderfully to end the game 4/1 in James Harding’s favour:
12:50 Breifne 1/4 CBS
Sexton Street continued on winning ways scoring with just one minute on the clock as Zachari Mursal registered their first: Breifne dug deep and equalised four minutes later with Mark O’Dea finishing in fine form: CBS Tony Mambouna scored in quick succession twice: Both net minders were playing well as Andrew Brosnahan (CBS) also impressed: Zachari Mursal had the final say here however as he got Limerick’s fourth goal on 12 minutes:
13:30 Balbriggan 1/0 Breifne
Lido Lotefa scored the only goal of the game midway through proceedings following a tense affair: Balbriggan created more of the chances but Morgan McGovern was superb to deny the Dublin team, time and time again:
13:30 CBS 4/0 Summerhill
The tables were turned, second time around as CBS took all two points on offer with a whirlwind performance against a stunned Summerhill: Tony Mambouna (2), Zachari Mursal and Oisin Pearse got their names on the scoresheet for CBS:
14:10 Balbriggan 1/1 CBS
A spectator goal from the inspiring Tony Manbouna gave CBS the edge on 3 minutes: However the sides were level 2 minutes later as Lido Lotefa equalised: The spoils shared on this encounter:
14:10 Breifne 1/2 Summerhill
Surprisingly a handling error from the ever so solid Cavan keeper, had lead to Summerhill taking the advantage in this low scoring match with just 2 minutes gone: Breifne however fought back to equalise three minutes later as Evan Finnegan fed Jake McGovern who nestled the ball to the far post: The impressive Oisin Geraghty had a wonderful strike on target for the hill boys to double the score and take full points:
14:50 Balbriggan 1/4 Summerhill
A quick fire shot from Kaillum Burns on 35 seconds held Summerhill in great stead as they took on Balbriggan for a second time: Balbriggan had demonstrated some seniority on the previous fixture but this was not to be the case in the latter fixture: Burns doubled his personal tally 2 minutes later: Jared Tiernan added a third for Summerhill on four minutes: Balbriggan took it to 3/1 when Daragh Owens converted: Summerhill stretched the lead three minutes from time when Captain Geraghty continued his goal tally: Precious points for Tuohy’s team to keep them in contention for some silverware
14:50 Breifne 0/5 CBS
O’Sullivan’s squad finished with a flourish putting five past Seanie Johnston’s side in the final game of the boy’s section: Quick feet from Mursal delivered a low drive along the end line for Mambouna to tap in at the far post: This tally was doubled by Mursal on six minutes as supplier turned goal scorer: Tony Mambouna scored Limerick’s third, his second of the game, one minute later after excellent work from his colleague Mursal: His hat trick was completed on 10 minutes when Mambouna drove past two challenges to slot the ball into an open goal: The fifth for CBS came two minutes from time courtesy of Dyla Reeves after great play from team mate Jamie Hanlon:
BOYS SECTION
Winner: CBS Sexton Street, Limerick
Runner Up: Summerhill College, Sligo
Third: Balbriggan Community School, Co: Dublin
Fourth: Breifne College, Cavan
Action summary from the girl’s category
11:50 Loreto Fermoy 2/1 Scoil Mhuire
Both teams played some creative futsal craving out a multitude of excellent opportunities throughout the game: Alana Doherty was excellent and her individual skill gifted a goal inside the first two minutes for Scoil Mhuire: However an o:g: from one of the Buncrana girls resulted in Fermoy drawing level on 9 minutes: A powerful shot on target rattled the roof of the Buncrana net on 13 minutes to snatch victory with Cork’s Andrea Quinn O’Donovan producing the winner:
11:50 Loreto Kilkenny 1/2 SHS Westport
The lively Orla Casey was denied by net minder Clodagh Campion in the first minute of the game: Rachel Baynes was very influential throughout the game and her impact was evident in much of Westport’s attacking prowess: Kate Chambers and Rachel Baynes scored two quick goals for Seamas McCafferky’s squad: Loreto came back into the game on 13 minutes with a brilliant effort by Casey to make it 2/1: Loreto were very unfortunate not to get an equaliser late on as keeper Campion pulled off a magnificent save:
12:30 Loreto Fermoy 0/2 Loreto Kilkenny
The case of the two Loreto’s as Fermoy and Kilkenny took to the court: Padraig Fitzpatrick’s Cats had Orla Casey slot two past Fermoy’s Aine Cotter on 2 and 8 minutes to take the points in a hugely entertaining game: Some half chances were created by Eimear O’Donnell’s side but Aine Trait was ever present between the posts for the Leinster ladies to keep a clean sheet in this outing:
12:30 Scoil Mhuire 1/2 SHS Westport
Ulster’s Aisling McDaid was in sparkling form in this fixture: However Westport’s Baynes was equal to the challenge as she impressed the onlookers with her individual skill: The U15 Schools select rounded three players but agonising the well weighted ball to goal nicked the post to deny the youngster a superb goal: McDaid made the break through with eight minutes registered: The Westport equaliser came two minutes later courtesy of Baynes’ left footed effort: A second goal for Sacred Heart came with only one minute remaining as Kate Chambers got on the score sheet:
13:10 Loreto Fermoy 0/1 SHS Westport
A solitary goal on 4 minutes from Kate Chambers was the difference for Westport in this epic battle as both keepers were under immense pressure for long periods of the game:
13:10 Scoil Mhuire 1/1 Loreto Kilkenny
Alana Doherty scored first for Buncrana on five minutes with a well worked manoeuvre: This was cancelled out five minutes later as Orla Casey converted for the Cats to share the spoils
13:50 Loreto Fermoy 0/4 Scoil Mhuire
A hat trick from Anna Elliott and a fourth from Alana Doherty paved the way for Eoin Leonard’s team to pick up all two points on offer:
13:50 Loreto Kilkenny 0/3 SHS Westport
Rachel Baynes was on the score sheet once more for Sacred Heart after 3 minutes on the clock: An o:g: from Loreto doubled the advantage for Westport: The Connacht champs’ third came three minutes from time as Grace Brown Moran found the roof of the Kilkenny net: A fine performance from the Westport girls who were now dominating the fixtures listing
14:30 Loreto Fermoy 0/0 Loreto Kilkenny
Surprisingly a scoreless draw for Fermoy and Kilkenny was the outcome in their second meeting: The previous outing saw the Cats progress 2/0: A valuable point shared for both parties:
14:30 Scoil Mhuire 1/4 SHS Westport
Baynes scored for Westport on four minutes as a low left footed drive met the intended target: A corner from Grace Brown Moran resulted in Westport’s second as an o:g: was registered on eight minutes: Westport’s third came on 12 minutes as Grace Brown Moran used her quick feet to release the ball for a low finish to the far post: Kate Scahill made it 4/0 with one minute remaining: A consolation goal came in the dying minutes of the game for Scoil Mhuire’s Anna Elliott, a real poacher’s finish after sustained pressure on the Westport defence:
15:10 Loreto Fermoy 0/5 SHS Westport
Rachel Baynes was on fire for this fixture as a fantastic individual effort saw her round three players to calmly slot home from close range on two minutes: Emma Hastings was clean through on goal however Fermoy’s keeper Aine Cotter produced a brilliant save to deny her only for the rebound to find Hastings feet again and she didn’t miss a second time: Baynes scored her second of the game, Westport’s third on seven minutes before being substituted: The flourish was finished off by goals from Kate Chambers and Leah Moran as the Westport onslaught ended:
15:10 Scoil Mhuire 0/1 Loreto Kilkenny
Loreto secured runners up spot in the competition with a goal from the industrious Orla Casey on nine minutes: Scoil Mhuire remained vigilant as Alana Doherty and Aisling McDaid were denied by the inspiring Aine Trait in goal as she kept the attacking duo at bay:
GIRLS SECTION
Winner: Sacred Heart School, Westport
Runner Up: Loreto Secondary School, Kilkenny
Third: Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana
Fourth: Loreto Secondary School, Fermoy
List of participating Schools:
Leinster (Boys) Balbriggan Community College, Co: Dublin: Daniel Forde, Leo Tang, Jack Casey, Michael Adjokacher, Frank Kabraley, Lido Lotefa, Paul McCarville, Daragh Owens, Angel Fidel, Paddy Pop:
Teacher: James Harding
Leinster (Girls) Loreto Secondary School, Kilkenny: Aine Trait, Jesse Oyenuga, Sarah Smith, Hannah Brennan, Orla Casey, Ashleigh Boote, Ruth Kent, Ambra Musca, Tane Cass, Nicole Dwyer, Shauna Tracey, Sharon McGorrian
Teachers: Padraig Fitzpatrick, Barry O’Neill
Ulster (Boys) Breifne College, Cavan: Morgan McGovern, Eoin Reilly, Mark O’Dea, Feilim McGuire, Aidan Lee, Liam Callaghan, Brandon Cobey, Michael Smith, Leon Cobey, Evan Finnegan, Jake McGovern, Jamie Cooney
Teacher: Sean Johnston
Ulster (Girls) Scoil Mhuire Convent of Mercy, Buncrana, Co: Donegal: Brooke Gillespie (GK), Alana Doherty, Leah Doherty, Aisling McDaid, Anna Elliott, Nicole Donaghey, Jayne Gill, Grace Greenaway, Caoimhe McColgan, Chantelle McGrath, Ruth Bradley, Aoife Longwill (GK):
Teachers: Eoin Leonard, David Hearst
Munster (Girls) Loreto Secondary School, Fermoy, Cork: Aine Cotter, Anna Dunne, Aoife Hurley, Billie Shanahan, Laura Hayes, Andrea Quinn/O’Donovan, Anna Leamy, Fionnhuala Keane, Kamile Kyosyte, Jessica Condon, Tara Conroy, Grainne Daly
Teacher: Eimear O’Donnell
Munster (Boys) CBS Sexton Street, Limerick: Vincent Browne, Dylan Reeves, Michael Power, Adam Dore, Jamie Hanlon, Tony Mambouna, Oisin Pearse, Euan Madigan, Andrew Brosnahan, Lerzy Woodland, Zachari Mursal:
Teachers: Steven Grant, Shane O’Sullivan
Connacht (Boys) Summerhill College, Sligo:Cian Basquille, Oisin Geraghty, Adam Lynch, Kaillum Burns, Tyler Stallard, Gearoid Mulligan, Abhainn Mulligan, Lee Wilson, Jared Tiernan, Keelan Harte, Conor Matthews, Jack Higgins:
Teacher: Pat Tuohy
Connacht (Girls) Sacred Heart School, Westport, Mayo: Clodagh Campion, Leah Moran, Kate Scahill, Aoife Lavelle, Kate Chambers, Grace Brown/Moran, Elisha Gannon, Rachel Baynes, Emma Hastings
Teacher: Seamas Mac Eachmharcaigh
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