The An Post FAI Schools Kilkenny 5-a-side competitions took place in Thomastown FC last week (April 27):
50 teams took part representing 19 schools throughout the County and the competition was as tough as ever: A total of 91 small sided games took place over two full days on six pitches in the County Kilkenny venue
In recent times, the Cats have been well represented at the All Ireland series: Back in 2008, Kilkenny CBS picked up a fourth spot podium place in the “C” Cup for large schools:
St: Leonard’s NS were worthy recipients of the same position two years later in the “A” Cup for small schools while last season St: Beacon’s NS, Mullinavat came fourth also in the Girls “A” Cup:
In the Girls “A” Cup Scoil Naoimh Moin Ruadh, Knocktopher (see attached picture of team), came out on top against a very good Templeorum team: These two female teams put on a great display and are a credit to their coaches and schools:
The Boys “A” Cup was a fantastic competition with a total of 4 groups, thus the 4 group winners played out 2 great semi final matches:
The Model School got through to play Scoil Chrain Naofa from Stoneyford: This semi final finished 3/1 to the Model school: The other semi final saw the experienced St: Leonard’s beat Templeorum 3 – 1:
The Final was a very close encounter with St: Leonard’s narrowly beating the Model School 3/1: Can St: Leonard’s now go on and be successful in their Regional qualifiers?
The Boys “C” Section was also a very tight affair with Gaelscoil Osrai of Loch Bui winning out against a classy CBS outfit on goal difference: They both had won 3 and drew 2 games each but the Gaelscoil’s superior goal difference got them through to the Mid Leinster Finals due to be played in Portlaoise on May 15:
The Girls “B “ Section was another excellent competition but a physical Gaelscoil Osraiside were crowned champions when they came out on top against a very good and young St: Mary’s in the Final: This Gaelscoil Osrai side should have a strong presence in the Mid Leinster Finals:
The Boys “B” Section was won by St: Mary’s of Thomastown who got through following a 3/1 victory over a very tired and young Kilkenny Schools Project side who had to get through a very hard group stage: It would have been easy enough to predict this team winning this section this year as they contain a lot of county players: Again the football in this group was top notch and played in a very sporting manner:
FAI Regional Development Officer for Kilkenny and organiser of the tournament Mr: Darren Murray, wanted to acknowledge the great assistance given by Ger Brett, the students from the Sports and Recreation course in Bagenalstown and the Transition Year students from Thomastown who did a fantastic job refereeing all of the games throughout the week without their help it would have been very difficult to run the competitions so well:
Darren would like to thank Thomastown FC in particular Mr: Willie Lannon for all of their help during the week and not forgetting their FAS grounds men who had the six pitches in immaculate condition:
Congratulations to all the winners who will now represent Kilkenny in the upcoming Mid Leinster Finals on May 15 in Portlaoise FC, Laois: Good luck to all!
Report and image courtesy of Mr: Darren Murray
