Leinster Competition Commences on Wednesday
The MDL Grounds in Navan will play host to the An Post FAI Primary Schools 5-a-side Leinster Finals on Wednesday (May 23)
The Provincial qualifiers are the culmination of three months of competition held at County and Regional level which sees schools progress to the respective Provincial Finals:
160 children will ascend on the Meath venue from a wide geographical spread within the Province: Schools from Dublin (5), Wexford (3), Kildare (4), Meath (3), Westmeath (1), Longford (1), Laois (1), Wicklow (1) and Carlow (1) will represent the regional areas of Dublin, Mid Leinster, North Leinster and South Leinster in the hope of advancing to the All Ireland series in two weeks time
The “A” Schools section will have Fermoyle (Longford), Zion NS, Rathgar (Dublin), Rosenallis NS (Laois) and Ballyellis NS (Wexford) all in contention for the crown: Last season’s winners Milltown NS, Westmeath were beaten in their County qualifiers and thus a new name will be etched on the An Post Leinster Cup this season: Rathgar’s Zion NS may be holding the favourities tag as they commence proceedings in Navan as they may a welcome return the this group following a good run out last season:
The Girls “A” Section will have Gaelscoil Eanna (Meath), St: Dominic’s NS, Tallaght (Dublin), North Kildare Educate Together (Kildare) and Castlebridge (Wexford) in the mix for the small girl’s schools: Bree NS, Wexford last year’s worthy recipient grabbed third spot in the Nationals: Who will qualify this season for Leinster?
Athboy NS (Meath), St: Bernadette’s NS, Quarryvale (Dublin), Kilcock NS (Kildare) and Gaels, Inbhear (Wicklow) will try their luck in the medium schools category namely the “B” Cup section: Wexford’s Scoil Naomh Aine, Rathgarogue were third in the Nationals in 2011 following their win in the Leinster qualifiers
The Girls “B” Cup has a promising group of schools qualified with Dunboyne NS, (Meath), St: Oliver Plunkett NS, Malahide (Co: Dublin), Celbridge NS (Kildare) and St: Fiach’s (Carlow) in the running: Reigning Leinster and All Ireland Champions St: Oliver Plunkett’s under the leadership of teacher Joe Morton make a welcome return to the MDL: The venue proved successful for the Malahide school twelve months ago, can they go on now and retain their title?
The large schools section, “C” Cup has St: Colman’s NS, Mullingar (Westmeath), St: Patrick’s NS, Drumcondra (Dublin), Clane NS (Kildare) and St: Joseph’s NS, Gorey (Wexford) fighting it out for the number one spot: Bishop Foley NS of Carlow were Leinster stars last year and picked up a notable runners up finish in the Nationals: Mullingar’s St: Colman’s qualified in the Girls “B” Cup last year, could the boys replicate their success a year on:
It promises to be a fantastic fun filled day with winners and runners up receiving a commemorative medal: The lucky winners will also receive a free UMBRO Kit and the prestigious An Post Leinster trophy for their School:
Once the Provincial Finalists have been identified they won’t have long to wait for the All Ireland series: The National Finals will be held in Tallaght Stadium on Tuesday, June 5:
LEINSTER PROVINCIAL FINALISTS:
“A” Schools:
TEAMS
Zion Primary School, Rathgar (Dublin)
Fermoyle NS, Longford (North Leinster)
Rosenallis NS, Laois (Mid Leinster)
Ballyellis NS, Wexford (South Leinster)
“A” Girls Schools:
TEAMS
St: Dominic’s NS, Tallaght (Dublin)
Gaelscoil Eanna, Meath (North Leinster)
North Kildare Educate Together, Kildare (Mid Leinster)
Castlebridge NS, Wexford (South Leinster)
“B” Schools:
TEAMS
St: Bernadette’s NS, Quarryvale (Dublin)
Athboy NS, Meath (North Leinster)
Kilcock NS, Kildare (Mid Leinster)
Gaels, Inbhear, Wicklow (South Leinster)
Girls “B” Schools:
TEAMS
St: Oliver Plunkett NS, Malahide (Dublin)
Dunboyne NS, Meath (North Leinster)
Celbridge NS, Kildare (Mid Leinster)
St: Fiach’s NS, Carlow (South Leinster)
“C” Schools:
TEAMS
St: Patrick’s NS, Drumcondra (Dublin)
St: Colman’s NS, Mullingar, Westmeath (North Leinster)
Clane NS, Kildare (Mid Leinster)
St: Joseph’s NS, Gorey, Wexford (South Leinster)
END
