Munster Mayhem in the making 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 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:
The Munster Provincial Finals will be hosted in the impressive Regional Sports Centre, Waterford on Wednesday, 12 May: 30 Schools from Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford will showcase their talent with a total of 240 participants involved in the day/long event:
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 delighted to be involved with such a prestigious and important tournament that brings entertainment and participation to the broadest range of school children: The Xtra/vision brand is synonymous with entertainment and fun, rooted at the local level“:
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:
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 Munster 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:
Last year the Munster Schools participating in the competition did incredibly well with 1 School picking up All Ireland glory: Newcomers Powerstown NS from Clonmel were victorious in the Section “A” Girls group while St Mary’s Convent NS, Nenagh snatched runners up place in Section “B” Girls: Ringskiddy NS came a valiant third in the Boys “A” Section, along with St: Declan’s NS of Waterford who captured the same status in the “C” Section: While Dingle’s Scoil Iognaiod Ris came fourth in the Section “B” group in the All Ireland series
Broadford National School in Limerick will be hoping to continue their fine form which saw them capture the Munster title in 2008: The school had a fantastic run of form at the National Finals with the boys snatching an All Ireland runners/up medal that year:
Similarly, St: Anthony’s National School in Cork will make a welcome return: The School captured Provincial and All Ireland glory in 2008 in the “C” Section and will be hoping their experience in this competition can bring them success in Munster yet again:
Piltown NS in Kilkenny will be hoping to capture double honours this year as the Boys team competes in Section B while the Girls team will compete in Section B Girls:
Tallow NS in Waterford are back again to compete in another Provincial Final and will be hoping home advantage will see them progress to the Nationals:
Bruff NS, Limerick will take part in the Girls “B” Section which saw them capture the Provincial title two years ago: Their experience will ensure an exciting conclusion to the Munster Finals:
Gary Power, FAI Football Development Officer, Waterford City stated, “I am absolutely delighted that the Waterford Regional Sports Centre will host this magnificent event that encourages fun, participation, and learning through football: Waterford City Council has developed a top class sporting arena in the RSC and to be able to give so many children the opportunity to play at the RSC is fantastic: We are utilising the new pitches in the RSC for the first time in the hosting of this event so it’s going to be a really spectacular football occasion with 240 kids from schools all across Munster taking part: I would like to take this opportunity to thank in particular Ger Duggan from Ferrybank BNS who co/ordinates the Waterford section and to Ferrybank AFC, Kingfisher Sports Complex, and Cappoquin FC who hosted our preliminary qualifiers: Everybody is very welcome to come to the RSC on Wednesday and see the stars of the future take part in this top class football occasion”
MUNSTER PROVINCIAL FINALISTS:
“A” Schools:
TEAMS
Cooralcare NS, Clare
Scoil Mhuire, Tallow NS, Waterford
Kilcummin NS, Killarney, Kerry
Bishop Harty NS, Tipperary
Broadford NS, Limerick
Scoil Iosagain, Aghada, Cork
“A” Girls Schools:
TEAMS
Newmarket on Fergus NS, Clare
Kilmacthomas NS, Waterford
Gaelscoil, Listowel, Kerry
Scoil Eoin Naofa NS, Roscrea, Tipperary
Granagh NS, Limerick
Greenmount Girls NS, Cork
“B” Schools:
TEAMS
St: Senan’s NS, Clare
Piltown NS, Kilkenny
Scoil Bride Loreto, Killarney, Kerry
Sacred Heart NS, Roscrea, Tipperary
Roxborough NS, Limerick
St: John’s NS, Mayfield, Cork City
Girls “B” Schools:
TEAMS
Holy Family NS, Ennis, Clare
Piltown NS, Kilkenny
Presentation Convent, Listowel, Kerry
Our Lady of Mercy NS, Cahir, Tipperary
Bruff NS, Limerick
Scoil Barra, Ballincollig, Cork
“C” Schools:
TEAMS
St: Conaires NS, Clare
Mount Sion NS, Waterford
CBS Clounalour, Tralee, Kerry
Monastery CBS, Tipperary Town
St: Paul’s NS, Dooradoyle, Limerick
St: Anthony’s NS, Ballinlough, Cork
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 Regional Sports Centre in Waterford play host to the MunsterFinal on May 12th while the Connacht Final are also scheduled for the same date in the magnificent Shiven Rovers AFC, Newbridge, Galway: The following week sees the Ulster Final in Ballylar 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: