Cork Schools the big winners at the FAI Schools Primary 5s National Finals with wins
for Limerick, Wexford, Dublin & Donegal too
Friday, May 31, 2024
Cork netted three of the seven National titles up for grabs at the Aviva Stadium with the conclusion of the 2024 FAI Schools Primary 5s National Finals on Wednesday afternoon (May 29).
Gurrane NS (Girls ‘A’ Cup), Gaelscoil Choinn tSáile (‘B’ Cup) and Beaumont BNS (‘C’ Cup) claimed gold for the Rebel County while Catherine McAuley School, Limerick (FFA Cup), Marshalstown NS, Wexford (Girls ‘B’ Cup), Our Lady’s Grove PS, Dublin (Girls ‘C’ Cup) and Gaelscoil Cois Feabhail, Inishowen, Donegal (‘A’ Cup) were the other big winners on a massive day for those involved.
This year the programme featured 2,025 schools with a total of 42,064 children participating which was a new record for the Primary 5s Programme, that has been in existence since the mid 1990s.
The 28 qualifying teams from 27 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 huge excitement at the climax of the competition.
224 children were lining out on the same surface that hosted the recent UEFA Europa League Final last week as well as the upcoming Women’s and Men’s International fixtures, with a remarkable standard of football on display.
With a change to competition format this season, with the elimination of goal difference to decide winning teams, the introduction of play-off games and penalty shoot-outs led to further tension and drama in four of the seven sections.
International stars Jamie Finn and Cillian Philips were the Programme Ambassadors for the morning, and they provided some useful tips to the players in the build up to their games as well as presenting the silverware on offer.
It was lovely to see Carmel Browne, INTO President in attendance. Carmel a Deputy Principal in Melview National School was the founder member of the Primary 5s Longford qualifiers nearly twenty five years ago as she co-ordinated the blitz day competitions at local level in Longford Town FC for nearly twenty years. Since the inception of the competition, the participation figures have grown exponentially and Carmel was impressed by the array of colour and noise generated by the 2,000 supporters in attendance as well as the footballing ability of the youngsters.
It was the Girls and Football for All sections that were the billing in the morning session and this was followed up by the boys or mixed teams in the afternoon.
FAI President Paul Cooke and FAI Board member Nixon Morton were on hand to assist with the presentations in the afternoon.
Let’s see how the schools got on!
FOOTBALL FOR ALL CUP
With defending Champions, Scoil Eoin, Crumlin and last year’s runners up Scoil Íosagáin, Buncrana in this group, it ensured a tough task for fellow competitors St. Anne’s NS, Bailieborough who were runners up in Ulster this season as well as the surprise package from Munster, Limerick’s Catherine McAuley School.
The Limerick outfit got the perfect start to proceedings and shocked the Crumlin crew with a 3-0 victory in the opening contest. This set down a stern marker for the other teams. Scoil Íosagáin were 4-0 winners over their Ulster rivals St. Anne’s.
Over the course of the action, Catherine McAuley dispensed of St. Anne’s to claim a second win on the bounce as well as Scoil Íosagain managing to build on their momentum with a win against the same opponents.
Scoil Eoin and Scoil Íosagáin dropped valuable points as a one all draw was the finish of a really entertaining encounter between them. Scoil Eoin went on to record a win against Bailieborough in the penultimate fixture.
In the final group game, Catherine McAuley ended in a two all draw with the Buncrana side to ensure top spot for the Limerick debutants. A worthy winner with Sam CUSACK adding to the celebrations as he was named Player of the Tournament for that Section.
Scoil Íosagáin should be happy with their performance (1 win, 2 draws) with another runners up medal as Scoil Eoin came third and St. Anne’s a fourth place finish in their first outing at National level.
Football for All
Winner Catherine McAuley School, Limerick
Runner Up Scoil Íosagáin, Buncrana, Donegal
Third Scoil Eoin, Crumlin, Dublin
Fourth St. Anne’s NS, Bailieborough, Cavan
PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT Sam Cusack, Catherine McAuley School, Limerick
RESULTS
Scoil Eoin 0-3 Catherine McAuley
Sam Cusack (2), Cian Naughton (1)
St. Anne’s NS 0-4 Scoil Íoságain
Cillian Doherty (2) Eoin Hirrell (1) Danny Bradley (1)
Catherine McAuley 7-0 St. Anne’s NS
Paddy Joe Casey, Cian Naughton, Colm Lynch (2), Kaydyce Hughes, Tony Hartery (2)
Scoil Eoin 1-1 Scoil Íosagáin
Lennon O’Brien, Eoin Hirrell
St. Anne’s NS 2-9 Scoil Eoin
Michael Kerrigan, Abdulrahman Aluosh Killian Flanagan (6), Lennon O’Brien (2), Carl McNamara
Scoil Íosagáin 2-2 Catherine McAuley
Eoin Hirrell (2) Sam Cusack (2)
Girls ‘A’ Cup
This was a really competitive group with a solitary goal from Shauna Cullinane to kick start Gurrane’s winning ways as they overcame Kilkenny outfit St. Leonard’s in the opening clash.
Galway side Tierneevin drew two apiece with the Cavan girls while there was a scoreless draw in Tierneevan’s next outing with Gurrane.
Scoil Mhuire, Lacken enjoyed a 4-2 victory over St. Leonard’s to move up the table while Tierneevin edged out St. Leonard’s 2-1 in the fifth contest.
All to play for in the final game as Gurrane showed their style with a brace from Player of the Tournament Róise WALSH and a further goal from Shauna Cullinane to leave them 3-0 winners.
A superb Cup run for the Cork side as well as a brilliant runners up placing for Cavan’s Scoil Mhuire. St. Leonard’s had to settle for third while Tierneevin landed fourth.
Girls ‘A’ Cup
Winner Gurrane NS, Cork
Runner Up Scoil Mhuire, Lacken, Cavan
Third St. Leonard’s NS, Kilkenny
Fourth Tierneevin NS, Galway
PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT Róise Walsh, Gurrane NS, Cork
RESULTS
St. Leonard’s NS 0-1 Gurrane NS
Shauna Cullinane
Tierneevin NS 2-2 Scoil Mhuire, Lacken
Nicole Cummins, Daisy McDonald, Ande Forde Peat, Riona Crowe
Gurrane NS 0-0 Tierneevan NS
St. Leonard’s NS 2-4 Scoil Mhuire, Lacken
Aoife McCormack, Keira Lyons, Ande Forde Peat (2), Erin Browne (2)
Tierneevan NS 2-1 St. Leonard’s NS
Daisy McDonald, Kiera Lyons Aoife McCormack
Scoil Mhuire, Lacken 0-3 Gurrane NS
Róise Walsh (2), Shauna Cullinane
Girls ‘B’ Cup
Westport scholars Scoil Phádraig were hoping for a title defence in this section with half their team making another appearance at National level for Gerard Murphy’s team.
The group opened with both newcomers to this level of competition kicking off proceedings as Marshalstown overcame Burnfoot 4-1 to establish a led while defending Champions Scoil Phádraig saw off the Scoil Naomh Colmcille challenge 2-0.
Scoil Phádraig had a slender 3-2 victory over Burnfoot while Marshastown were comfortable winners over the Craigtown girls.
The last two games, ended in draws with Scoil Phádraig and Marshalstown level at three apiece while Scoil Naomh Colmchille drew two each with the Cork students in a fabulous ending to both games.
The group had to be decided on a five minute play-off game which saw the deadlock remain at 3-3 so spot kicks ensued. Wexford starlets Marshalstown needed a sudden death penalty to win the contest 4-3. Jubilation for the Leinster Champions while it was heartbreak for the Westport side who came so close to matching the success story of twelve months ago.
The party continued for Marshalstown as Mia WHELAN claimed the prestigious Player of the Tournament in a thrilling showpiece. Gallant in defeat, Scoil Phádraig picked up runners up spot, while Burnfoot netted third and Scoil Naomh Colmchille grabbed fourth.
Girls ‘B’ Cup
Winner Marshalstown NS, Wexford
Runner Up Scoil Phádraig, Westport, Mayo
Third Burnfort NS, Cork
Fourth Scoil Naomh Colmchille, Craigtown, Donegal
PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT Mia Whelan, Marshalstown NS, Wexford
RESULTS
Marshalstown NS 4-1 Burnfort NS
Ella Ronan Casey (2), Mia Whelan (2) Laura O’Mullane
Scoil Phádraig 2-0 Scoil Naomh Colmchille
Sarah Reynolds, Violet O’Malley
Burnfort NS 2-3 Scoil Phádraig
Laura O’Mullane, Anna O’Mullane, Violet O’Malley, Saoirse Reynolds, Francesca Carvana
Marshalstown NS 7-3 Scoil Naomh Colmchille
Ella Roban Casey (2), Mia Whelan (5) Erin Hirrell, Kara Fallon, Ella Callaghan
Scoil Phádraig 3-3 Marshalstown NS
Saoirse Reynolds, Francesca Carcana (2) Ella Robyn Casey (2), Wallis Ashmore
Scoil Naomh Colmchille 2-2 Burnfort NS
Kara Fallon, Emma Ruddy Laura O’Mullane, Anna O’Mullane
Play-Off
Scoil Phádraig 0-0 Marshalstown NS
Penalty Shoot-Out
Marshalstown won 4-3 pens
Girls ‘C’ Cup
Dublin pupils Our Lady’s Grove played out a scoreless draw with the Ballincollig contingency while Moycullen’s Scoil Mhuire overcame their Stranorlar counterparts 3-0 to take an early advantage in the group.
Gaelscoil Uí Ríordáin produced a lovely display to defeat the Galway school 3-0 while Our Lady’s Grove were big winners against Stranorlar.
Another wonderful performance saw Lucy O’Carroll score the only goal of the game as Our Lady’s Grove beat Scoil Mhuire, Moycullen by a single goal.
Gaelscoil Uí Riordáin finished with a flourish as they enjoyed a slender 2-1 win against Scoil Mhuire B&C.
With Our Lady’s Grove and Gaelscoil Uí Ríordáin level on points, the teams had to play a five minute play-off game to decide the winner. This proved fruitless as the penalty shoot-out was next.
The Dublin side held their never to win out 4-3 and claim the title while Hattie FARRELL grabbed the Player of the Tournament accolade for good measure.
A runners up spot on the podium for Gaelscoil Uí Ríordáin while Scoil Mhuire, Moycullen came third and Scoil Mhuire B&C, Stranorlar picked up fourth.
Girls ‘C’ Cup
Winner Our Lady’s Grove PS, Dublin
Runner Up Gaelscoil Uí Ríordáin, Cork
Third Scoil Mhuire, Moycullen, Galway
Fourth Scoil Mhuire B&C, Donegal
PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT Hattie Farrell, Our Lady’s Grove PS, Dublin
RESULTS
Our Lady’s Grove PS 0-0 Gaelscoil Uí Ríordáin
Scoil Mhuire 3-0 Scoil Mhuire B&C
Lilly Griffin, Leah McLoughlin (2)
Gaelscoil Uí Ríordáin 3-0 Scoil Mhuire
Emily Ni Dhonnahnáin (2), Aoibhinn McGearailt
Our Lady’s Grove PS 5-0 Scoil Mhuire B&C
Freya Field (4), Hattie Farrell
Scoil Mhuire 0-1 Our Lady’s Grove PS
Lucy O’Carroll
Scoil Mhuire B&C 1-2 Gaelscoil Uí Ríordáin
Jenna Ni Dhuain, Aoife Ni Mhadin Caoimhe Sleigh
Play-Off
Our Lady’s Grove PS 0-0 Gaelscoil Uí Ríordáin
Penalty Shoot-Out
Our Lady’s Grove PS won 4-3 pens
‘A’ Cup
Inishowen starlets Gaelscoil Cois Feabhail enjoyed three wins from three to claim the title in the small schools division with Óisín Ó hÍr named Player of the Tournament to add to their trophy tally.
In the opening game Scoil Moibhi lost out 2-4 to Limerick side Martinstown NS while the Inishowen players cruised to a 5-2 victory over Windfield NS with Sean MacCumhaill grabbing four.
Martinstown put the same past Windfield 5-2 in their next outing while Scoil Moibhi went down 2-4 to the Ulster side.
Adam Lohan netted a hat-trick as well as Jason Halvey for Windfield to ensure the points over Scoil Moibhi, 4-2.
Whie Gaelscoil Cois Feabhail enjoyed a 4-1 win against runners up Martinstown. Windfield had to settle for third as Scoil Moibhi came fourth.
‘A’ Cup
Winner Gaelscoil Cois Feabhail, Inishowen, Donegal
Runner Up Martinstown NS, Limerick
Third Windfield NS, Galway
Fourth Scoil Moibhi, Dublin
PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT Óisín Ó hÍr Scoil Cois Feabhail, Inishowen, Donegal
RESULTS
Scoil Moibhi 2-4 Martinstown NS
James Maguire (2), Sean Kelly (3), Ciaran Irwin
Windfield NS 2-5 Gaelscoil Cois Feabhail
Laurence Martyn, Adam Lohan Sean Mac Cumhaill (4), Jack an Ghoill
Martinstown NS 5-2 Windfield NS
Sean MacCumhaill (4), Jack Mac an Ghoill Laurence Martyn, Adam Lohan
Scoil Moibhi 2-4 Gaelscoil Cois Feabhail
James Maguire, Ryan Clinton Óisín Ó hÍr (4)
Windfield NS 4-2 Scoil Moibhi
Adam Lohan (3), Jason Halvey Kyle Mellows, Ryan Clinton
Gaelscoil Cois Feabhail 4-1 Martinstown NS
Óisín Ó hÍr (2), Sean Mac, Callum Mac Ciaran Irwin
‘B’ Cup
St. Eunan’s NS were gunning for a title defence in this section with two players making a welcome return for Simmons’ side.
Meath’s Kentstown went down 4-5 to a last minute winner from Kinsale in a hugely entertaining nine goal thriller. While Westport’s Scoil Phádraig dispatched St. Eunan’s 5-2 to cause an upset to the defending Champions.
Gaelscoil Choinn tSáile showed their class with a fine performance against Westport to take all three points on offer while Kentstown got their first win dashing St. Eunan’s title ambitions.
A brilliant game in the penultimate decider saw Scoil Phádraig and Kentstown play out a 3-3 draw while Gaelscoil Choinn tSáile overcame the Raphoe side in the last group game.
With Gaelscoil Chionn tSáile winning the group, we needed a play-off game to decide the runner up spot as Scoil Phádraig and Kentstown were level on points and their head to head. Scoil Phádraig needed penalties to see past the Meath men as they won out 3-2 on spot kicks.
It was no surprise when Gaelscoil Choinn tSáile talismans Tom O’CAOIMH was announced as Player of the Tournament.
‘B’ Cup
Winner Gaelscoil Choinn tSáile, Cork
Runner Up Scoil Phádraig, Westport, Mayo
Third Kentstown NS, Meath
Fourth St. Eunan’s NS, Raphoe, Donegal
PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT Tom O’Caoimh, Gaelscoil Choinn tSáile, Cork
RESULTS
Kentstown NS 4-5 Gaelscoil Choinn tSáile
Oisin Melia (2), Mossie Gillic (2), Cian Diúc (3) Tom O’Caoimh (2)
Scoil Phádraig 5-2 St. Eunan’s NS
Mounir Soufan, David Hajdu (2), Artem Salantii (2), Lewis Quinn, Jayden Laird
Gaelscoil Choinn tSáile 7-3 Scoil Phádraig
Cian Diúc, Tom O’Caoimh (5), Stiofan Barlow, Mounir Soufan (2), David Hajdu
Kentstown NS 5-3 St. Eunan’s NS
Eoghan Hosey (2), Oisin Melia (2), Mossie Gillic Lewis Quinn (3)
Scoil Phádraig 3-3 Kentstown NS
Artem Salantii, Davi Hadju, Ruairi Browne Mossie Gillic (2), Oisin Melia
St. Eunan’s NS 2-5 Gaelscoil Choinn tSáile
Lewis Quinn, Jayme Lafferty Tom O’Caoimh (2), Jeaic MacCarthaigh, Cian Diúc (2)
Second/Third Play-Off
Scoil Phádraig 0-0 Kenstown NS
Penalty Shoot-Out
Scoil Phádraig won 3-2 pens
‘C’ Cup
Another pulsating conclusion to the large schools division with Beaumont BNS and St. Declan’s NS, Ashbourne locked on seven points apiece following their three group games. The five minute play-off game ended goalless so this saw Cork prevail 3-1 on penalties to take the title win.
The opening game proved crucial with the top two playing out an incredible 3-3 draw while Illistrin ran out 4-3 winners in an engaging encounter with St. Joseph’s of Ballinrobe.
Beaumont knocked St. Joseph’s confidence further as they saw them off 3-1 while St. Declan’s made good against Ulster’s Illiistrin 5-1.
Ashbourne found form with a nice victory over the Connacht Champions while Beaumont had another solid display against the Donegal students to win out 3-1.
Some consolation on losing out on top spot was Patrick TOTH’s award for Player of the Tournament for the St. Declan’s student.
‘C’ Cup
Winner Beaumont BNS, Blackrock, Cork
Runner Up St. Declan’s NS, Ashbourne, Meath
Third Illistrin NS, Donegal
Fourth St. Joseph’s PS, Ballinrobe, Mayo
PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT Patrick Toth, St. Declan’s NS, Ashbourne, Meath
RESULTS
St. Declan’s NS 3-3 Beaumont BNS
Kieran Stack, Tadhg Quirke, Sean Connolly James O’Donoghue, Cian Doran, Patrick Tobh
St. Joseph’s PS 3-4 Illistrin NS
Cealan O’Brien, Fionn Jennings, Ethan Buchanan (3), Stephen McShane
Beaumont BNS 3-1 St. Joseph’s PS
Kieran Stack (3), Cealan O’Brien
St. Declan’s NS 5-1 Illistrin NS
Cian Doran (3), Patrick Toth (2) Ethan Buchanan
St. Joseph’s PS 1-7 St. Declan’s NS
Finn Jennings, James O’Donoghue Hernandez, Patrick Toth (3), Cian Doran, Liam O’Connell, Callum Sloan
Illistrin NS 1-3 Beaumont BNS
Ethan Buchanan, Tadhg Quirke, Kieran Stack (2)
Play-Off
Beamount BNS 0-0 St. Declan’s NS
Penalty Shoot-Out
Beaumont won 3-1 pens
Images of all participating schools available upon request
END