Final six advance from Leinster #SPAR5s
Friday, May 12, 2017
24 schools from ten of the twelve counties participated in the SPAR FAI Primary School 5s Leinster Finals which were held in the MDL Grounds, Navan yesterday (Thursday, May 11).
The event saw 28,576 children participate this year. The competition has been running since the mid 1990’s, the event is more popular than ever with an impressive 1,495 schools involved in 2017.
The competition is run across six divisions, ensuring that schools of all sizes are catered for. Boys and girls are encouraged to play together but there is a separate competition for boys and girls dependent on school enrolment numbers.
This season saw 2 Dublin schools make the final cut as well as 2 Meath qualifiers and representatives from Kilkenny and Louth. Flying the flag for the Capital in the Aviva will be St. Ciaran’s NS, Hartstown, Dublin 15 and Our Lady of Good Counsel, Johnstown, Killiney. Alongside them representing Leinster will be our Royal County victors, St. Patrick’s NS, Castletown, Navan, and Boyerstown NS, Navan. Kilkenny School Project proudly representing the Marble County, and St. Peter’s NS, Dromiskin flying the flag for the Wee County.
Fergus McDaid, Secretary of FAI Schools stated, “This is our third year with title sponsors SPAR and the competition has grown yet again and now firmly holds the title of the largest primary schools’ competition in the country. SPAR’s ongoing support, both nationally and at a local level, has ensured the ongoing success of the programme and given children an opportunity to get involved in a professionally-run, fun and inclusive programme. The programme encourages children to become involved in soccer at an early age and emphasizes the fun aspect of the sport. FAI Schools look forward to welcoming schools to the National Finals on Wednesday, May 31 in the Aviva Stadium, Dublin. We would also like to extend our thanks to all schools who have participated in 2017”.
Colin Donnelly, SPAR Sales Director said, “As a community based retailer, SPAR encourages a healthy and active lifestyle and is proud to be a supporter of primary schools’ soccer in association with the FAI. SPAR local retailers around the county have been getting behind the SPAR FAI Primary School 5s programme, which encourages children to get involved in soccer in a fun, safe and inclusive environment.”
Section ‘A’ (Small Schools, boys/mixed teams)
Winners St. Patrick’s NS, Castletown finished their outing on 7 points following 2 wins and a draw in this Leinster decider. The Navan scholars had a nervy start to their campaign when they fell 2-0 behind to Offaly rivals St. Broghan’s NS before a revival to draw the game 3-3. They had little difficulty sweeping aside the challenge of Our Lady’s, Miltown. Following eventual runners-up St. Broghan’s NS draw with Ballythomas NS, the Meath side knew that victory over the Wexford-based Ballythomas NS would seal victory and they duly produced the goods with a 4-1 victory. Well done to our Leinster finalists Ballythomas NS and Our Lady’s Miltown who gave an excellent account of themselves in a wonderful day of football.
|
St. Patrick's NS |
3 |
3 |
St. Broghan's NS |
|
Our Lady’s, Miltown |
1 |
7 |
Ballythomas NS |
|
St. Patrick's NS |
9 |
2 |
Our Lady’s, Miltown |
|
St. Broghan's NS |
4 |
4 |
Ballythomas NS |
|
St. Patrick's NS |
4 |
1 |
Ballythomas NS |
|
St. Broghan's NS |
5 |
2 |
Our Lady’s, Miltown |
|
|
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
GD |
Pts |
|
St. Patrick's NS |
3 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
16 |
6 |
10 |
7 |
|
St. Broghan's NS |
3 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
12 |
9 |
3 |
5 |
|
Ballythomas NS |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
12 |
9 |
3 |
4 |
|
Our Lady’s, Miltown |
3 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
5 |
21 |
-16 |
0 |
Section ‘B’ (Medium Schools, boys/mixed teams)
There was an exciting finish to the medium schools section as St. Peter’s NS, Dromiskin prevailed at the expense of the valiant Gaelscoil Phortlaoise. Both sides began their day with victories before Louth side St. Peter’s NS took the initiative with victory over Dublin’s Central Model NS whilst the boys of Gaelscoil Phortlaoise could only draw with Castlebridge NS. Both sides would face off in the final game with the Laois side knowing that only three points would suffice to book their place in the National Finals. It wasn’t to be as both sides played out a 1-1 stalemate to send St. Peter’s through. Wexford’s Castlebridge NS were just brushed off from a runners-up finish as they needed a win for St. Peter’s and a superior goal difference to upset Gaelscoil Phortlaoise. Huge congratulations to Central Model NS who were extremely unlucky in all of their games, only losing by a single goal in each.
|
Gaelscoil Phortlaoise |
2 |
1 |
Central Model NS |
|
Castlebridge NS |
1 |
3 |
St. Peter’s NS, Dromiskin |
|
Gaelscoil Phortlaoise |
2 |
2 |
Castlebridge NS |
|
Central Model NS |
2 |
3 |
St. Peter’s NS, Dromiskin |
|
Gaelscoil Phortlaoise |
1 |
1 |
St. Peter’s NS, Dromiskin |
|
Central Model NS |
2 |
3 |
Castlebridge NS |
|
|
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
GD |
Pts |
|
St. Peter’s NS, Dromiskin |
3 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
7 |
4 |
3 |
7 |
|
Gaelscoil Phortlaoise |
3 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
5 |
4 |
1 |
5 |
|
Castlebridge NS |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
6 |
7 |
-1 |
4 |
|
Central Model NS |
3 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
5 |
8 |
-3 |
0 |
Section ‘C’ (Large Schools, boys/mixed teams)
This was another group on the day that went down to the last whistle as Dublin’s St. Ciaran’s NS, Hartstown qualified for the National Finals. Following victories in their opening two games, they would put their 100% record on the line in the final game against Kildare’s Scoil Ui Riada of Kilcock, who also boasted an unblemished win record. There had to be a winner so both sides clashed and St. Ciaran’s NS emerged with a 4-1 victory. Congratulations to St. Stephen’s, Johnstown, Navan and Gaelscoil Eoghain Uí Thuairisc, Carlow for their efforts throughout the competition but sadly could not take their incredible journeys any further.
|
St Ciaran’s NS, Hartstown |
2 |
0 |
Gaelscoil Eoghain Uí Thuairisc |
|
St. Stephen’s NS |
0 |
5 |
Scoil Ui Riada |
|
St Ciaran’s NS, Hartstown |
3 |
1 |
St. Stephen’s NS |
|
Gaelscoil Eoghain Uí Thuairisc |
2 |
3 |
Scoil Ui Riada |
|
St Ciaran’s NS, Hartstown |
4 |
1 |
Scoil Ui Riada |
|
Gaelscoil Eoghain Uí Thuairisc |
0 |
2 |
St. Stephen’s NS |
|
|
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
GD |
Pts |
|
St. Ciaran’s NS, Hartstown |
3 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
9 |
2 |
7 |
9 |
|
Scoil Ui Riada |
3 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
9 |
6 |
3 |
6 |
|
St. Stephen’s |
3 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
3 |
8 |
-5 |
3 |
|
Gaelscoil Eoghain Uí Thuairisc |
3 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
2 |
7 |
-5 |
0 |
Girls ‘A’ Cup (Small Schools, girls only)
There was joy for the girls of Boyerstown NS, Navan as they replicated the success of their Section ‘B’ team two years ago by qualifying for the National Finals. The Meath side advanced unbeaten by withstanding all challenges they faced. They began their day with a 2-0 victory over Templeorum NS before defeating Dublin side St. Damian’s NS, Walkinstown. They approached their final game knowing that only defeat would stop them from achieving their goal. Ballyellis NS opposed them with their own aspirations but it was a day for the local side as Boyerstown claimed a 2-0 victory. The Wexford side, Ballyellis NS, would finish as runners-up with 6 points from 9. Congratulations must also go to St. Damian’s NS, Walkinstown and Kilkenny’s Templeorum NS who played their part throughout the tournament.
|
St. Damian’s, Walkinstown |
1 |
3 |
Ballyellis NS |
|
Boyerstown NS |
2 |
0 |
Templeorum N.S |
|
St. Damian’s, Walkinstown |
1 |
4 |
Boyerstown NS |
|
Ballyellis NS |
1 |
0 |
Templeorum N.S |
|
St. Damian’s, Walkinstown |
2 |
1 |
Templeorum N.S |
|
Ballyellis NS |
0 |
2 |
Boyerstown NS |
|
|
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
GD |
Pts |
|
Boyerstown NS |
3 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
8 |
1 |
7 |
9 |
|
Ballyellis NS |
3 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
3 |
1 |
6 |
|
St. Damian’s, Walkinstown |
3 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
4 |
8 |
-4 |
3 |
|
Templeorum N.S |
3 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
5 |
-4 |
0 |
Girls ‘B’ Section (Medium Schools, girls only)
It was a tense affair for the four sides involved with the Girls ‘B’ Section with everything still up in the air as the final set of games kicked-off with all four teams playing for something. It was the winners of the South Leinster region who took the spoils with Kilkenny School Project finishing top of the pile on 7 points ahead of all other challengers. The winners started the day with a 3-0 victory over Gaelscoil Cholmcille before fighting out a thrilling 4-4 draw with Carlow side Queen of the Universe NS. Yellow Furze was the only obstacle they had to overcome which they managed emphatically with a 3-1 victory to spark scenes of jubilation. Gaelscoil Cholmcille, Coolock, Dublin finished the day as runners-up on 6 points with Yellow Furze finishing three points off them in third. Congratulations also goes out to Queen of the Universe who proved to be the toughest challenge the eventual winners had to face.
|
Queen of the Universe NS |
0 |
3 |
Yellow Furze |
|
Kilkenny SP |
3 |
0 |
Gaelscoil Cholmcille |
|
Queen of the Universe NS |
4 |
4 |
Kilkenny SP |
|
Yellow Furze |
1 |
2 |
Gaelscoil Cholmcille |
|
Queen of the Universe NS |
3 |
4 |
Gaelscoil Cholmcille |
|
Yellow Furze |
1 |
3 |
Kilkenny SP |
|
|
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
GD |
Pts |
|
Kilkenny SP |
3 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
10 |
5 |
5 |
7 |
|
Gaelscoil Cholmcille |
3 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
6 |
7 |
-1 |
6 |
|
Yellow Furze |
3 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
5 |
5 |
0 |
3 |
|
Queen of the Universe NS |
3 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
7 |
11 |
-4 |
1 |
Girls ‘C’ Section (Large Schools, girls only)
It was a good day for Our Lady of Good Counsel, Johnstown, Dublin as they booked their place in the Aviva on May 31. With 7 points, the victors finished four points clear of their nearest competitors. In what was a group of very fine margins, there were four of the six games ending as draws with both of Our Lady of Good Counsel’s victories coming by a single goal. It was these results, a 1-0 win over St. Fiacc’s NS and a 2-1 win over Gaelscoil Ui Fhiach that proved to be the difference. Dromard NS of Longford finished as group runners-up with three draws from three games. Gaelscoil Ui Fhiach of Kildare and St. Fiacc’s NS, Carlow both represented their schools with great pride and were unfortunate not to have taken more from the day’s outing.
|
Dromard NS |
3 |
3 |
Gaelscoil Ui Fhiach |
|
Our Lady of Good Counsel |
1 |
0 |
St. Fiacc's NS |
|
Dromard NS |
3 |
3 |
Our Lady of Good Counsel |
|
Gaelscoil Ui Fhiach |
3 |
3 |
St. Fiacc's NS |
|
Dromard NS |
2 |
2 |
St. Fiacc's NS |
|
Gaelscoil Ui Fhiach |
1 |
2 |
Our Lady of Good Counsel |
|
|
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
GD |
Pts |
|
Our Lady of Good Counsel |
3 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
6 |
4 |
2 |
7 |
|
Dromard NS |
3 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
8 |
8 |
0 |
3 |
|
Gaelscoil Ui Fhiach |
3 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
7 |
8 |
-1 |
2 |
|
St. Fiacc's NS |
3 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
5 |
6 |
-1 |
2 |
The six Provincial Finalists will now travel to Dublin for the National Finals which will be held in the Aviva Stadium on Wednesday, May 31 (KO 11.30am). We would urge all participating schools to take the day off and travel to the Dublin finale to support their school in what should prove to be a phenomenal day for all involved, players and spectators alike.
It promises to be a fantastic fun filled family day with a “Player of the Tournament” accolade for each section, goodie bags and medals for ALL 192 participants as they’re all winners on the day!
Spectators will be entertained with a super day of footie as well as face painting, samba drummers, a well known DJ to play some great tunes to gear us up for the games and a chance f0r one special supporter to win an epic prize in the Young Sports Journalist competition. You’ll have to stay tuned on the day to see who will be crowned 2017 Champions.
Cheer on the schools from your sofa or office chair if you can’t make the trip to Dublin and follow the progress on the FAI Schools Facebook and Twitter pages!
Summary of our winners and runners up
Group Winner Runner Up
‘A’ Cup (small schools) St. Patrick’s NS, Navan, Meath St. Broghan’s NS, Kildare
‘B’ Cup (medium schools) St. Peter’s Dromiskin, Louth Gaelscoil Phortlaoise, Laois
‘C’ Cup (large schools) St. Ciaran’s, Hartstown, Dublin Scoil Ui Riada, Kildare
Girls ‘A’ Cup (small schools) Boyerstown NS, Meath Ballyellis NS, Wexford
Girls ‘B’ Cup (medium schools) Kilkenny School Project Gaelscoil Cholmcille,Coolock, Dublin
Girls ‘C’ Cup (large schools) Our Lady of Good Counsel, Dublin Dromard NS, Longford
Follow the action on social media via #SPAR5sor at www.faischools.ie and www.spar.ie
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
PROVINCIAL
Ulster Final: May 03, Monaghan United FC, Gortakeegan, Monaghan
Connacht Final: May 04, Solar 21 Park, Milebush, Castlebar, Mayo
Munster Final: May 9, 10, 12 College Corinthians AFC, Cork
Leinster Final: May 11, MDL Grounds, Trim Road, Navan, Meath
NATIONAL
National Final: May 31, Aviva Stadium, Dublin
For more information:
Diane Fay, FAI Schools - Diane.Fay@fai.ie / 086 0404 952
Jennifer Kelly, PSG Sponsorship – Jennifer.Kelly@psgsponsorship.ie / 085 1076806
Scott Graham, PSG Sponsorship – Scott.Graham@psgsponsorship.ie / 086 3687548
IMAGES | Available upon request
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