Launch of Leinster Finals on Wednesday
Republic of Ireland International, Kevin Doyle was in attendance at the Xtra/vision FAI Schools 5-a-side Provincial Finals Launch in Dublin recently: The Provincial Finals are the culmination of three months of competition held at County and Regional level which sees schools progress to the respective Provincial Finals:
The event saw over 14,000 children participate last year: The competition has been running since the mid 1990’s, the event is more popular than ever with 952 schools involved in 2009:
160 children from 20 schools will participate in the Leinster Provincial Finals which takes place in the MDL Grounds, Navan on Wednesday, 19 May:
Owing to the large number of schools competing at this level, the Leinster Finals have been divided into four sections which comprise of winners from Mid Leinster (Laois, Offaly, Kildare, Kilkenny), South Leinster (Carlow, Wicklow, Wexford), North Leinster (Louth, Longford, Meath, Westmeath) and Dublin: The various Regional Finals took place over the last number of weeks to cut the Schools down to four main qualifiers for the Provincial Finals setting:
Tom Bolger, Chairman of FAI Schools stated, “This is our first year with title sponsors Xtra/vision and the competition is growing from strength to strength: FAI Schools must pay tribute to the phenomenal work carried out at grassroots level by the Provincial Co/ordinators and Regional Development Officers in ensuring that the event is even more popular than ever before”:
Ciara Moore, Marketing Manager with Xtra/vision stated: “We are very pleased to be associated with the FAI Schools 5-a-side competition: It is a great opportunity for boys and girls to participate in this national sporting event: The competition is pivotal in promoting teamwork at such a young age and provides fun and entertainment for friends and family alike: We wish all participating Schools the very best of luck in the Provincial Finals“:
The Xtra/vision FAI Schools 5 A Side is the biggest and best competition in the 2010 Primary Schools Soccer Calendar: There are 5 divisions to suit all school sizes: While FAI Schools and Xtra/vision 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:
This year will see ten Counties representing Leinster with Dublin qualifying five Schools across Walkinstown, Darndale, Clondalkin, Skerries and the City Centre: Other counties include Carlow, Wicklow, Longford, Westmeath and Kildare with one school each qualified: Kilkenny and Offaly will have two schools each attending while Meath and Wexford will have an impressive three schools each competing for Provincial honours:
Surprisingly only two Schools from last year will make a return to their familiar surrounds, namely St: Laurence O’Toole’s who qualify for the Section “B” Schools and St: Joseph’s NS, Gorey in Wexford who compete in the Section “C” group for large Schools: In fact, the Gorey School progressed to the All Ireland series and were lucky not to capture All Ireland honours as they claimed a remarkable second place: St: Joseph’s will be hoping to defend their Provincial crown as proceedings commence at 11:30am sharp:
Wicklow’s Gaelscoil Inbhear Mor were crowned Leinster and more importantly All Ireland Champions last season: Will Rathvilly emulate their success this time around?
Louth and Laois will miss out on their Counties participation this year but St: Mary’s NS, Drumlish can’t be forgotten for their victories in Leinster last year coming fourth in the All Ireland series which is a remarkable achievement for the small school:
Debutants Bennekerry NS in Carlow were making the major headlines in 2009 with a Leinster an All Ireland title captured in the Girls “B” Section: This year, Rathvilly will have the pleasure of representing the County with all to play for:
The Royal County and hosts for the major event will have three Schools in contention to progress to All Ireland level with Boyerstown, Cannistown and Dunboyne all relishing the opportunity to participate in this day long, soccer event:
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 Xtra/vision 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 Leah Victoria Park, Tullamore on Wednesday, 26 May:
LEINSTER PROVINCIAL FINALISTS:
“A” Schools:
TEAMS
Boyerstown NS (Meath)
St: Leonard’s NS (Kilkenny)
Raheen NS (Wexford)
Scoil Moibhi, Milvertown, Skerries (Dublin)
“A” Girls Schools:
TEAMS
Loughegar NS, Mullingar (Westmeath)
Geashill NS (Offaly)
Newtown NS (Wicklow)
Walkinstown NS (Dublin)
“B” Schools:
TEAMS
Cannistown NS (Meath)
Rathangan NS (Kildare)
Rathvilly (Carlow)
St Laurence O’Toole (Dublin City)
Girls “B” Schools:
TEAMS
Newtownforbes NS (Longford)
Durrow NS (Offaly)
Riverchapel (Wexford)
St: Mary’s NS, Rowlagh (Dublin)
“C” Schools:
TEAMS
Dunboyne NS (Meath)
De La Salle (Kilkenny)
St: Joseph’s NS, Gorey (Wexford)
Darndale NS (Dublin)
PHOTOGRAPHY: Brian Lawless, Sportsfile
Republic of Ireland International Kevin Doyle withWesley Ó Goidín and Lauryn Ní Bhroin from Gaelscoil na Rilte, Dunshaughlin at the recent launch of the Xtra/vision FAI Schools 5-a-side Provincial Finals: Don’t miss your opportunity to support the schools involved by attending the Provincial and National Finals: The Ulster Final in Ballyare FC, Letterkenny and the Leinster Final will be held in the accommodating MDL Grounds in Navan, both on May 19th: The competition reaches its finale with the National Finals taking place in the impressive Leah Victoria Park, Tullamore on May 26th:
