Fantastic finale for the SPAR5s National Finals day in the Aviva Stadium


 

 

Ulster Dominate SPAR5s Finale

 

Thursday, May 31, 2018

 

A walk taken by the many famous Irish internationals was made by 192 students from 24 primary school teams into the Aviva Stadium, Dublin on Wednesday, May 30 for the SPAR FAI Primary School 5s National Finals. Six teams left with National titles but all twenty four will leave with memories forever immortalised. 

 

The six sections saw the schools divided into Provincial representatives in small, medium and large schools divisions. The girls are encouraged to play with the boys in the SPAR ‘A’ Cup, SPAR ‘B’ Cup and SPAR ‘C’ Cup sections but there is a separate competition for girls only; SPAR ‘A’ Girls Cup for small schools, SPAR ‘B’ Girls Cup for medium schools and the SPAR ‘C’ Girls Cup for large schools.

 

The 24 qualifying schools have come through four months of fun filled nationwide activity. The journey began with their local County events, Regional and/or Provincial qualifiers to reach this stage of the competition with excitement mounting around the local areas.

 

Ulster were the big winners of the day with Latnamard NS, Monaghan (SPAR ‘A’ Cup), St. Brigid’s NS, Glenmakee, Inishowen (SPAR ‘A’ Girls Cup), and Scoil Iosagain, Buncrana, Inishowen (SPAR ‘C’ Girls Cup) lifting their respective trophies. The Dublin schools of Leinster from Gaelscoil Chluain Dolcáin (SPAR ‘B’ Cup) and Scoil Assaim, Raheny (SPAR ‘C’ Cup) were on top of the podium and Munster’s Clogheen/Kerry-Pike NS, Cork (SPAR ‘B’ Girls Cup) rounded off the list of winners.

 

This year the programme featured 1,528 schools with a total of 31,728 children participating which is a new record for the 5s programme which has been in existence since the mid-1990s. 

 

Colin Donnelly, SPAR Sales Director said, “As a community-based retailer, SPAR encourages a healthy and active lifestyle and is proud to be a supporter of primary schools’ soccer in association with the FAI. SPAR local retailers throughout the Country have been supporting the programme for four years, which encourages children to enjoy the benefits of exercise in a fun, safe and inclusive environment.”

 

Seán Carr, FAI Schools Chairman added; “The competition has gone from strength to strength in recent years thanks to the assistance of our sponsors, SPAR. There was an additional 3,000 participants involved this season, taking our total to nearly 32,000 boys and girls.

 

SPAR 'A' Cup

 

The SPAR ‘A’ Cup had Ardkeeran NS, Riverstown, Sligo (Connacht), Clonlisk NS, Offaly (Leinster), Trafrask NS, Beara, Cork (Munster) and Latnamard NS, Monaghan (Ulster) all competing for National honours. It was glory for the North as Latnamard NS lifted the trophy. 

 

A bright start in the SPAR Boys ‘A’ Cup for the Monaghan boys as the side overcame Trafrask from Beara in an eight goal thriller. Both sides relished the opportunity of playing on the Aviva pitch and the goals quickly began to flow. Eanna Owen Carolan and Cian Greanan hit two apiece for Latnamard with Connor Leonard completing the total. Trafrask replied with a brace from Ben O’Sullivan and a Tommy O’Sullivan’s strike but it was just not enough to get them closer to the Monaghan side’s total. In their second tie, an impressive win sealed the Cup as Alex Humphries and James Cusack's goal's combined with results elsewhere. It was fortunate that the victory was sewn up after two games as they dropped points to Ardkeeran NS in their final game of the day. Cian Grennan and Eanna Owen Carolan were the County Monaghan side’s scorers with Owen Elding son of former Sligo Rovers star Anthony Elding and Niall Kenny on target for Ardkeeran. Trafrask NS recovered from an opening game blip to eventually claim silver. They recovered from the defeat to Latnamard NS with victory over Ardkeeran. Ben O'Sullivan, Tom O'Connor and Tommy O'Sullivan were on the mark for the Cork school. Two goals apiece from Jack Crowley, Ben O’Sullivan plus Tom O’Connor’s strike had the County Cork side in a comfortable position at the expense of Clonlisk NS. James Liffey and Robert Carney netted the goals for the Offaly side. Fionn Carney's goal in the opening round for the Midlands side eventually determined that they would finish third and the Sligo side of Ardkeeran taking fourth.

 

Latnamard NS

5

3

Trafrask NS

Clonlisk NS

1

0

Ardkeeran NS

Latnamard NS

2

0

Clonlisk NS

Trafrask NS

3

1

Ardkeeran NS

Latnamard NS

2

2

Ardkeeran NS

Trafrask NS

5

2

Clonlisk NS

 

 

 

P

W

D

L

F

A

GD

Pts

1

Latnamard NS

3

2

1

0

9

5

4

7

2

Trafrask NS

3

2

0

1

11

8

3

6

3

Clonlisk NS

3

1

0

2

3

7

-4

3

4

Ardkeeran NS

3

0

1

2

3

6

-3

1

 

SPAR 'A' Girls Cup

 

The SPAR ‘A’ Girls Cup featured four debutants this season to the national stage, with St. Teresa’s NS, Corrigeenroe, Roscommon (Connacht), St. Fintan’s NS, Mayglass, Wexford (Leinster), Crusheen NS, Clare (Munster) and St. Brigid’s NS, Glenmakee, Inishowen, Donegal (Ulster) in the melting pot for the small girls schools section. St. Brigid's NS emerged as another victor for Ulster with a narrow win in their final encounter.

 

The Inishowen side opened their campaign with a stalemate in a thrilling game with Crusheen NS. The Gleeson sisters, Hannah and Grace, got the Crusheen goals with an own goal making up the total. The St Brigid’s reply came with two goals from Player of the Tournament Ellie Long and Ailish Doherty’s opener. In their second game, the Inishowen School had to hold on against St. Fintan's, Mayglass. Ellie Long was the hero for St. Brigid's with two stylish finishes with Aoibheann Rankin pulling a late goal back for the unlucky Wexford side. In the final game, a back and forth game with St. Teresa's who kicked off with the positional advantage, saw St. Brigid's claim the trophy with a 2-1 win. Roscommon School, St. Teresa's were unlucky not to raise their hands in victory. Alice Lilly was the star of the show as she scored the first and winning goal against St. Fintan's in the 3-2 success. Tara Cullen and Aoibheann Rankin had put the Wexford School into the lead but Molly Mulhern's equaliser set up Lilly to turn the tide. In their second game, they faced the Clare winners, Crusheen NS. Crusheen took the lead through a long range effort from Grace Gleeson but the pressure from St. Teresa's paid dividends with Lilly scoring two goals in quick succession and Mulhern capping off the performance. The Gleeson duo of Hannah and Grace were in top form again as they confirmed third place with a final victory against fourth place St. Fintan's, Mayglass.

 

St Teresa's NS

3

2

St. Fintan's Mayglass

Crusheen NS

3

3

St. Brigid's NS

St Teresa's NS

3

1

Crusheen NS

St. Fintan's Mayglass

1

2

St. Brigid's NS

St Teresa's NS

1

2

St. Brigid's NS

St. Fintan's Mayglass

1

3

Crusheen NS

 

 

 

P

W

D

L

F

A

GD

Pts

1

St. Brigid's NS

3

2

1

0

7

5

2

7

2

St Teresa's NS

3

2

0

1

7

5

2

6

3

Crusheen NS

3

1

1

1

7

7

0

4

4

St. Fintan's Mayglass

3

0

0

3

4

8

-4

0

 

SPAR 'B' Cup

 

The SPAR ‘B’ Cup saw a broad geographic remit covered as Scoil Naisiúnta Mhuire, Bawnmore, Galway (Connacht), Gaelscoil Chluain Dolcáin, Baile Átha Cliath (Leinster), Scoil Íosagáin, Aghada, Cork (Munster) and St. Oran’s NS, Cockhill, Inishowen, Donegal (Ulster) try to make a top of the table finish. 

 

Gaelscoil Chluain Dolcain claimed success with a victory that required the most astute mathematicians as a single goal decided the group. It didn't seem a likely outcome when St. Oran's NS came from behind with goals from Kai Bardini and Luke O'Donnell to win 3-2. O'Donnell had given St. Oran's NS the lead before Player of the Tournament Tomas O'Muireagain equalised and put the Dublin side temporarily in the lead. The Gaelscoil recovered in their second game with a 5-1 victory over Galway side Scoil Naisiúnta Mhuire, with O'Muireagain, the son of Republic of Ireland World Youth Championships bronze medallist Thomas Morgan and nephew of former Senior International Wes Hoolahan, netting all five goals. Entering into the final game, the Dublin side knew that they needed a four goal swing against Scoil Iosagain, Aghada. They duly delivered with a 6-2 victory. The Cork school were left to collect the silver medals. They began with a 3-0 win over the Bawnmore-based school courtesy of Shane Flynn, Ben Cashman and Eric Cunningham's goals. The Munster side tore apart third placed St Oran's NS with a 7-1 success with braces from Eric Cunningham, Jack Broderick-Flynn and Sean O'Callaghan part of the septet. The three-way tie was complete by St. Oran's 6-1 victory over fourth-placed Scoil Iósaif Naofa.

 

Scoil Íosagáin

3

0

Scoil Naisiúnta Mhuire

St. Oran's NS

3

2

Gaelscoil Chluain Dolcáin

Scoil Íosagáin

7

1

St. Oran's NS

Scoil Naisiúnta Mhuire

1

5

Gaelscoil Chluain Dolcáin

Scoil Íosagáin

2

6

Gaelscoil Chluain Dolcáin

Scoil Naisiúnta Mhuire

1

6

St. Oran's NS

 

 

 

P

W

D

L

F

A

GD

Pts

1

Gaelscoil Chluain Dolcáin

3

2

0

1

13

6

7

6

2

Scoil Íosagáin

3

2

0

1

12

7

5

6

3

St. Oran's NS

3

2

0

1

10

10

0

6

4

Scoil Naisiúnta Mhuire

3

0

0

3

2

14

-12

0

 

SPAR 'B' Girls Cup

 

Belcarra NS, Mayo (Connacht), Rathoe NS, Carlow (Leinster), Clogheen/Kerry-Pike NS, Cork (Munster) and Scoil Chróine, Dungloe, Donegal (Ulster) made the cut for the medium schools in the SPAR ‘B’ Girls Cup which served up some delightful football.

 

There was more glory for Cork and Munster as Clogheen/Kerry-Pike NS claimed success. Ellie O'Brien opened up the campaign with a 1-0 victory over Belcarra NS, Mayo. The second game belonged to Kelsey Cooper as her second half goals downed Scoil Chroine, Dungloe. Belcarra NS took the runners-up spot. Falling behind in the first game, the Mayo School recovered with a seven goal smash against Carlow School, Rathoe NS. Ella Vahey hit five of the seven with Ava Cunningham scoring the remainder. Vahey resigned Donegal School, Scoil Chroine, to third place with the single goal in the final 1-0 victory. Rathoe NS filled up 4th place by virtue of goal difference after they opened the day with a 1-1 draw with Scoil Chroine.

 

Rathoe NS

1

1

Scoil Chróine

Belcarra NS

0

1

Clogheen/Kerry Pike NS

Rathoe NS

0

7

Belcarra NS

Scoil Chróine

0

2

Clogheen/Kerry Pike NS

Rathoe NS

0

5

Clogheen/Kerry Pike NS

Scoil Chróine

0

1

Belcarra NS

 

 

 

P

W

D

L

F

A

GD

Pts

1

Clogheen/Kerry Pike NS

3

3

0

0

8

0

8

9

2

Belcarra NS

3

2

0

1

8

1

7

6

3

Scoil Chróine

3

0

1

2

1

4

-3

1

4

Rathoe NS

3

0

1

2

1

13

-12

1

 

SPAR 'C' Cup

 

Scoil Iósaif Naofa, Oranmore, Galway (Connacht), Scoil Assaim, Raheny, Dublin (Leinster), Glasheen BNS, Cork (Munster), Scoil Íosagain, Buncrana, Inishowen, Donegal (Ulster) will took to the field at full strength in the.

 

There was joy for Dublin as Scoil Assaim showed no sign of stage fright and powered to success. They kicked off the day with a 4-1 victory against Buncrana's Scoil Iosagain. Danny Jeal's brace accompanied by James Wall and James Byrne put the Leinster champions into the ideal position. Their momentum continued into the second game with Byrne hitting a double while Wall and Jack Melia adding the necessary strikes to make it six points from six despite Colm Whelan and Cathal Penny scoring for the Oranmore-based school. Jeal made it four goals for the day with another brace in the final game against Glasheen BNS. James Wall made it three for his tally and Darragh Clery finished the day off from a scoring point of view. Scoil Iosaif Naofa finished second with victories over Glasheen BNS and Scoil Iosagain. Colm Whelan and Darragh Clery got the two goals against the Cork side then Whelan hit the winner against Buncrana based Scoil Iosagain after Colm O'Sullivan's opening goal for the Galway side was cancelled out by Darren McColgan. Glasheen were bronze medalists courtesy of a 3-1 victory over Scoil Iosagain who finished fourth.

 

Scoil Assaim

4

1

Scoil Iosagain

Scoil Iósaif Naofa

2

0

Glasheen BNS

Scoil Assaim

4

2

Scoil Iósaif Naofa

Scoil Iosagain

1

3

Glasheen BNS

Scoil Assaim

5

0

Glasheen BNS

Scoil Iosagain

1

2

Scoil Iósaif Naofa

 

 

 

P

W

D

L

F

A

GD

Pts

1

Scoil Assaim

3

3

0

0

13

3

10

9

2

Scoil Iósaif Naofa

3

2

0

1

6

5

1

6

3

Glasheen BNS

3

1

0

2

3

8

-5

3

4

Scoil Iosagain

3

0

0

3

3

9

-6

0

 

SPAR 'C' Girls Cup

 

St. John’s NS, Breaffy, Castlebar, Mayo (Connacht), Our Lady of Good Counsel GNS, Johnstown, Dublin (Leinster), St. John the Baptist GNS, Cashel, Tipperary (Munster) and Scoil Íosagáin, Buncrana, Inishowen, Donegal (Ulster) were in the final select for the girls large schools division, the SPAR ‘C’ Girls Cup

 

Ulster made it a hat-trick of successes at the National stage with Scoil Iosagain, Buncrana lifting the SPAR Girls 'C' Cup. Ciara McGee, Heidi Gill, Jodie Loughrey and Leah Clinton got the day off to a flyer with a 4-2 win against last year's winners Our Lady of Good Counsel GNS. Heidi Gill notched a hat-trick in the second game with Jodie Loughrey adding to the four goals scored by the Inishowen School against Tipperary's St. John the Baptist GNS despite Grace Flanagan pulling a goal back for the Munster champions. The title was secured for the girls from the North West as they dispatched St. John's NS, Breaffy 3-1. Our Lady of Good Counsel would have to take one step down from their lofty heights of 2017 by claiming the runners-up spot. Ella Moriarty's brace with Liadh Burns got them over the line against the Mayo side who scored from Sarah Heneghan and Amy Golden. It was a much simpler task in the final game as they put five past St. John the Baptist with Burns and Moriarty's doubles the feature alongside Lilly Coyne. Breaffy's opening encounter with St. John the Baptist GNS secured third in the country for their efforts over the past couple of months. Sophie Keane scored twice in the 4-2 win over fourth-placed St. John the Baptist GNS.

 

St John the Baptist GNS

2

4

St. John's NS

Scoil Iosagain

4

2

Our Lady of Good Counsel GNS

St John the Baptist GNS

1

4

Scoil Iosagain

St. John's NS

2

3

Our Lady of Good Counsel GNS

St John the Baptist GNS

0

5

Our Lady of Good Counsel GNS

St. John's NS

1

3

Scoil Iosagain

 

 

 

P

W

D

L

F

A

GD

Pts

1

Scoil Iosagain

3

3

0

0

11

4

7

9

2

Our Lady of Good Counsel GNS

3

2

0

1

10

6

4

6

3

St. John's NS

3

1

0

2

7

8

-1

3

4

St John the Baptist GNS

3

0

0

3

3

13

-10

0

 

All 192 players received a medal, the six winning teams were crowned SPAR Champions for 2018 as well as a player in each of the six sections named as SPAR Player of the Tournament. Ambassador’s Megan Campbell and Keith Andrews were on hand to distribute the silverware on the day.

 

Students off the field will also be in with a chance of securing an epic prize in the Future Sports Journalist competition which is open to all participating schools as well as a great prize for the Best Supported School, which will be hotly contested with some creative efforts on show.

 

SPAR ‘A’ Cup (Small schools, mixed/boys)

Ardkeeran NS, Riverstown, Sligo | Brian Dwyer, Oisin Conlon, Matthew Parke, Jack Tuohy, Ryan Parke, Niall Kenny, Owen Elding, Darragh McKeon (Lee Flanagan absent due to injury)

Teachers/Coaches | Edel Dwyer & Anthony Elding

 

Clonlisk NS, Offaly | Josh McMahonJames LiffeyFionn CarneyEoin Bailey O’BrienRobert CarneyLiam O’RiordanRobert MurrayJames Sampson

Teachers/Coaches | Marion Crean & David Carney

 

Trafrask NS, Beara, Cork | Liam CrowleyMark DowningTom O’ConnorBen O’SullivanTommy O’SullivanJack CrowleyJack HarringtonSeán O’Shea

Teachers/Coaches | Paula O’Sullivan & Aidan Cremlin

 

Latnamard NS, Monaghan | Thomas Brady, Cian Greenan, Connor Leonard, Alex Humphreys, Éanna Owen Carolan, James Cusack, Stephen Quinn, Cian McMahon

Teachers/Coaches | Martina McElroy & Dermot Brady    

 

SPAR ‘A’ Girls Cup (Small schools, girls only)

St. Teresa’s NS, Corrigeenroe, Roscommon | Sarah KiernanLucy CoganDaisy AttwoodAlice LillieMolly MulhernAva BloorBrianna LennonAva Doherty

Teachers/Coaches | Louise Lavin & Ciarán O’Dwyer

               

St. Fintan’s NS, Mayglass, Wexford | Jenna Ryan, Caithlyn Kelly, Tara Cullen, Clara Kelly, Ciara Murphy, Gemma Whelan, Arwyn Thompson, Aoibheann Rankin

Teachers/Coaches | Suzanne Foley & David Day

 

Crusheen NS, Clare | Aimee Colleran, Caoilfhionn Perill, Grace Gleeson, Sarah O’Donnell, Síomha Perill, Lily Copley, Caoimhe Clancy, Hannah Gleeson

Teachers/Coaches | Tríona McGrath & Ciaran Collins

 

St. Brigid’s NS, Glenmakee, Inishowen, Donegal | Samantha McLaughlinImogen DiverAoife KellyErin GrantSeaneen CrumlishAilish DohertyEllie Long

Teachers/Coaches | Shaun Ferry & Barry Grant

 

SPAR ‘B’ Cup (Medium schools, mixed/boys)

Scoil Naisiúnta Mhuire, Bawnmore, Galway | Seán O’Flynn, Jamie Faherty, Éanna Monaghan, Shane O’hEochagáin, Ryan Flaherty, Seán Duggan, Jack Lonergan, Brian Connaughton      

Teachers/Coaches | Aisling McGrath & Jonathan Beirne                  

 

Gaelscoil Chluain Dolcáin, Baile Atha Cliath | Rían Ó Hogáin, Reece Ó Murchú, Tadhg Ó Catháin, Seán Ó Conghaile, Tomás Ó Muireagáin (Captain), Dónal Ó Dúáin, Lúc Ó Catháin, Aaron Ó Teimhneáin

Teachers/Coaches | Cárthaigh Ó Cuill & Seán Mac Cárthaigh

 

Scoil Íosagáin, Aghada, Cork | John WalshSeán O’CallaghanEric CunninghamJack Broderick FlynnBen CashmanAaron KearnsEvan CrowleyOscar Slye

Teachers/Coaches | Jerome Sheahan & Lar Collins

 

St. Oran’s NS, Cockhill, Inishowen, Donegal | Kevin O’Rourke, Conor McDaid, Kai Bardini, PJ Doherty, Cahir McDaid, Dylan McDaid, Shina Anafi, Luke O’Donnell

Teachers/Coaches | Shaun McLaughlin & Kathryn Doherty

 

SPAR ‘B’ Girls Cup (Medium schools, girls only)

Belcarra NS, Mayo | Lisa NallyAnna HeaneyElla VaheyMaggie HehirAva CunninghamLauryn BurkeRóisín O’ConnorRachel O’Donovan

Teachers/Coaches | Tommy Langan & Siobhán Higgins

 

Rathoe NS, Carlow | Ciara Kelly, Genevieve Sherlock, Aoife Smithers, Aoife Kelly, Ella Meyler, Lorna O’Shea, Ciara Fleming

Teachers/Coaches | Ronan Browne & Gloria Udahjugele                 

 

Clogheen/Kerry-Pike NS, Cork | Lucy O’ConnellAlannah WalshKelsey CooperEllie O’BrienAnna KearneyZara BabingtonMegan O’ConnorHannah O’Brien

Teachers/Coaches | Cruther O’Sullivan & Julie Lyons Murphy

 

Scoil Chróine, Dungloe, Donegal | Claire Ní Dhuibhir, Ellie Níc Gairbheith, Tara Ní Eochagáin, Mia Ní Dhónaill, Erin Ní Dhónaill, Leah Ní Dhubhtaigh, Leigha Ní Ghrianna, Ellie Nic a Bhaird

Teachers/Coaches | Cáit Ní Dhochartaigh & Anita Ní Mhaichain

 

SPAR ‘C’ Cup (Large schools, mixed/boys)

Scoil Iósaif Naofa, Oranmore, Galway | Galius BabonasCathal SweeneyColm WhelanCathal PenneyHarry DuffyGerry CarrDarragh CleryColm Shivnan

Teachers/Coaches | Marc O’Boyle & Danny Gleeson

 

Scoil Assaim, Raheny, Dublin | Niall CoxEvan O’LooneyDanny JealJames ByrneJames WallHayden O’NeillLiam O’ConnorJack Melia

Teachers/Coaches | Liam O’Connor & Don Wycherley

               

Glasheen BNS, Cork | Gene Kareem O’LearyEvan MorganEamon ComminsDanny HarrisBennett MbowouaRyan O’ConnellSam O’ConnellDavid Byrne

Teachers/Coaches | Damian Ryan & Dónal McCarthy                                           

 

Scoil Íosagáin, Buncrana, Inishowen, Donegal | Liam Duncan, Andrew Davison, Kieran McElroy (Captain), Daire McColgan, Danny McDaid, Aaron Cleary, Seán McLaughlin, Patrick Devlin

Teachers/Coaches | Maria Doherty & Jonathon Adair

 

SPAR ‘C’ Girls Cup (Large schools, girls only)

St. John’s NS, Breaffy, Castlebar, Mayo | Katie JohnstonAmy GoldenJenna MulroySarah HeneghanSophie KeaneMary Jo MaughanLouise ConwayEimear Hughes

Teachers/Coaches | John Moran & Kevin Duggan

 

Our Lady of Good Counsel GNS, Johnstown, Dublin | Erin Ivie, Ruby O’Connell BellKeela MurphyElla MoriartyLiadh BurnsAnna WatsonEvie DowlingLillymae Coyne

Teachers/Coaches | David O’Connor & Mark Barry

 

St. John the Baptist GNS, Cashel, Tipperary | Carrie Anne Ryan (Captain), Ciara Moloney, Maria Lopez, Grace Flanagan, Ava Corbett, Aimee Quinn, Keeva O’Donoghue, Meghan Deed

Teachers/Coaches | Mary Andrews & Paul Flanagan 

 

Scoil Íosagáin, Buncrana, Inishowen, Donegal | Leah Clinton, Jodie Loughrey, Zoe Duffy, Keri Loughrey (Captain), Ciara McGee, Heidi Gill, Bria McGilloway, Orla Grant

Teachers/Coaches | Conor Delap & Mary Loughrey

 

For more information:
Diane Fay, FAI Schools                                   Diane.Fay@fai.ie / 086 0404 952
Kio Lopez, Teneo PSG                                     Kio.lopez@teneopsg.com / 086 014 4914

 

Images of all participating schools available upon request (Email Mark.Scanlon@fai.ie)

 https://www.sportsfile.com/more-images/1805267/

 

END