The biggest and best competition in the 2012
Primary School Soccer Calendar
Republic of Ireland International star James McClean was present to launch this year’s An Post FAI Primary Schools’ 5-a-side competition in Portmarnock today:
Over 15,400 children from every county in Ireland will compete in the most fun filled event of 2012:
The An Post FAI Schools 5-a-side is the biggest competition to take place in the 2012 primary school soccer calendar: The competition has been running since the mid 1990’s, the event is more popular than ever with nearly 1,000 schools currently involved:
There are 5 divisions to suit all school sizes: While FAI Schools and An Post encourage boys and girls to play on the same team, there is also a separate competition for girls’ schools: A number of teams can represent one school depending on the size of their student body, giving more children the chance to develop their skills in a safe, child centered and exciting environment:
Last year the National event saw a geographic spread of winners with Milltown NS, Westmeath (LEINSTER) capturing the “A” Schools title while Holy Family NS, Newport, Mayo (CONNACHT) won the “A” Girls Schools section for small schools: The “B” Schools section for medium schools was claimed by St: Patrick’s NS, Carndonagh, Inishowen (ULSTER) while St: Oliver Plunkett NS, Malahide, Co: Dublin (LEINSTER) won the “B” Girls Schools category: St: Anthony’s NS, Ballinlough, Cork (MUNSTER) were crowned “C” Schools champions claiming the “C” Schools section: Who will be crowned the All Ireland Champions in 2012?
FAI Schools are delighted to announce that An Post are the new title sponsors of the competition for 2012: Mr: Sean Carr, Chairman of FAI Schools stated, “The numbers participating in this competition are phenomenal with the standard of football improving each year: We are excited about our new partnership with An Post, who are an ideal sponsor for this competition and we look forward to working with them to increase the profile and image of primary school football going forward”:
Mr: Barney Whelan, An Post Director of Communications and Corporate Affairs commented, “An Post is proud to join up with FAI Schools, to support their efforts to involve more primary school children in football: The competition is a wonderful opportunity for both boys and girls of all sporting ability to participate in the initiative with an emphasis on fun and well being: We are delighted to be teaming up with FAI Schools to further nurture and develop grassroots football in Ireland:”
The growth of football across the country can be attributed to the FAI’s Regional Development Officers, who have been vital in increasing the number of schools playing the sport, and to the dedication of local organisers who volunteer to run competitions in a professional and meticulous manner:
Don’t miss your opportunity to support the schools involved by attending the Provincial and National events:
Two of the provincial finals were held last week with Mounthawk Park in Kerry playing host to the Munster Final while the Connacht Finals were held in the magnificent Shiven Rovers AFC, Newbridge, Galway last Wednesday, May 16
Letterfrack NS, Galway (CONNACHT) and Annagh NS, Clare (MUNSTER) captured the “A” Schools title while Newport NS, Mayo (CONNACHT) and Piltown NS, Waterford (MUNSTER) won the “A” Girls Schools section for small schools: The “B” Schools section for medium schools was claimed by Brierhill NS, Galway (CONNACHT) and St: Colmcille’s NS, Tipperary (MUNSTER) while Quay NS, Ballina, Mayo (CONNACHT) and Monaleen NS, Limerick (MUNSTER) won the “B” Girls Schools category: Scoil Iognaid, Galway (CONNACHT) and St: Anthony’s NS, Ballinalough, Cork (MUNSTER) were crowned “C” Schools champions claiming the “C” Schools section for large schools:
The ten provincial qualifiers will be gearing up for the prospective of being crowned All Ireland Champions while the remaining ten qualifiers have yet to be decided: The Ulster Final will be hosted in Aileach FC, Burnfoot, Donegal and the Leinster Final will be held in the accommodating MDL Grounds in Navan, both on Wednesday, May 23th:
The competition reaches its finale with the National Finals taking place in the impressive Tallaght Stadium, Dublin on Tuesday, June 5
CAPTION: James McClean is joined by Amy Phelan, Megan Byrne, Colm Bride and Sam Doyle at the An Post FAI Primary Schools 5-a-side Launch: The players are sixth class students in St: Oliver Plunkett’s NS, Malahide, Co: Dublin: Both Amy and Megan will be competing in the Leinster Finals for the School tomorrow (Wednesday, May 23)
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For further information please contact:
Diane Fay
FAI Schools
National Administrative Officer
Tel: 086/0404952
Email: diane:fay@fai:ie
Notes to Editors:
NATIONAL
National Finals: Tuesday, June 5, 2012, Tallaght Stadium, Dublin
PROVINCIAL
Leinster Finals: Wednesday, May 23, 2012, MDL Grounds, Trim Road, Navan, Meath
Ulster Finals: Wednesday, May 23, 2012, AIleach FC, Burnfoot, Donegal
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