EA Sports FAI Schools 5-A-Side
National Finals
Leah Victoria Park in Tullamore will host the EA Sports FAI Schools 5 A Side National Finals this Wednesday, 28th of May 2008 (12pm – 3.30pm).
More than 18,000 children from all over Ireland participated in this the biggest and best competition in the 2008 Primary Schools Soccer Calendar. Schools battle it out in county qualifiers nationwide before advancing firstly to regional finals and then to provincial deciders.
After three months of competition the final twenty schools advance from their provincial finals to the ultimate stage, the National Finals. There are five sections to cater from including “A” Schools and Girls “A” Schools for small sized schools. Medium sized schools are catered for under the “B” Schools and Girls “B” Schools sections and finally “C” Schools accommodate the large schools section.
Tom Bolger, Chairman of FAI Schools, “The numbers participating in this competition are phenomenal with the standard of football improving each year. The local and provincial organisers as well as the increased employment of the FAI’s RDOs are to thank for this recent success”.
10 counties will be involved in this year’s National Finals. Schools from Offaly, Limerick, Donegal, Mayo, Longford, Cork, Kerry, Roscommon, Kildare and Kilkenny will fight it out in their respective categories for the top prize of being crowned All Ireland Champions. Everyone’s a winner in this competition with participants receiving an EA goodie bag, full soccer kit and medal for their participation in this year’s National Finals.
Three of the schools qualified for the competition last year and will be hoping that their experience will merit more success. Greencastle NS qualify for the Girls “A” Schools, while Scoil Mhichil Naofa in Athy compete in the Girls “B” Schools section, leaving Scoil Iosagain in Buncrana hoping to improve on their performance from last year in the “C” Schools Section.
There were landmark achievements for three schools at the Leinster Finals as Kilkenny CBS, St. Patrick’s NS and Colmcille NS both from Longford won their Provincial Finals for the first time ever for their Counties.
The biggest county represented this year is Donegal who have a total of five schools competing for glory with four schools from Inishowen. Mayo is second in the pecking order with four schools representing Claremorris (2), Ballina and Castlebar. Limerick, Longford and Cork will share the spoils with two schools each competing at National level. This leaves Offaly, Kerry, Roscommon, Kildare and Kilkenny with one school each, holding the mantel for their respective County.
Title sponsors EA Sports will be on hand to entertain the crowd with their interactive PODs and HD Lounges. The 2FM Roadcaster will broadcast live from Tullamore with the Nikki Hayes Show from 12 – 2pm on Wednesday with goodie bags and spot prizes on offer.
The EA Sports FAI Schools 5 A Side Finals promises to be explosive, exciting and energetic so why not come along and support your School in this season’s finale.
“A” Schools
St. Broghan’s NS, Offaly
Broadford NS, Limerick
Cloontagh NS, Inishowen
Meelickmore NS, Claremorris, Mayo
Girls “A” Schools
St. Patrick’s NS, Ballinamuck, Longford
St. Mary’s NS, Carrigaline, Cork
Greencastle NS, Inishowen
Bohola NS, Mayo
“B” Schools
Colmcille, Longford
Scoil Ris An Daingean, Co. Chiarrai
Cockhill NS, Inishowen
Moore NS, Roscommon
Girls “B” Schools
Scoil Mhichil Naofa, Athy, Co. Kildare
Bruff NS, Limerick
St. Mary’s NS, Stranorlar, Co. Donegal
St. Oliver Plunkett NS, Ballina, Co. Mayo
“C” Schools
Kilkenny CBS, Kilkenny
St. Anthony’s NS, Cork
Scoil Iosagain, Inishowen
St. Patrick’s NS, Castlebar, Co. Mayo
-ENDS-
For further information please contact:
For EA Sports:
Aoife Murtagh/Sarah Gallagher
O’Leary PR
Tel: 01-6789888
Email: aoifemurtagh@olearypr.ie
For FAI Schools:
Diane Fay
National Administrative Officer
Tel: 086-0404952
Email: diane.fay@fai.ie
Notes To Editors:
About EA
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