The biggest and best competition in the 2012
Primary School Soccer Calendar
The Monaghan Primary Schools 5-a-side competition took place on Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19 April: This year’s event was once again a great success with some new schools competing for the first time, with some even progressing to the provincial Finals:
Girls Competitions
The girl’s event was held on Wednesday with the Girls “A” Cup and the Girls “B” Cup up for grabs:
The day began with the “A” Cup and consisted of four groups with the top school in each qualifying:
Group One saw Latton progress with victories over Connons and Annyalla:
In Group Two Mullagharafferty were strongest with easy wins over Blackstaff, who were making their debut in the competition and Lisdoonan:
Group Three saw Broomfield emerge victories after defeating Gransha and Corracrin:
The Final Group saw The Model School from Monaghan Town who were also appearing for the first time emerge victorious with wins over Glaslough and Ballybay:
The subsequent semi final draws saw Latton defeat Mullaghrafferty on a 5/3 score line and Broomfield edge out The Model on a 4/2 score line:
The Final between Latton and Broomfield proved to a great game with no shortage of skill on view from both teams but in the end Broomfield proved too strong and were crowned Champions for the first time after coming so close in previous years much to the delight of manager Ronan Markey: Latton did fantastically well to reach the Final in just their second year in the competition and were very well coached under the guidance Micheal Vaughan:
The Girls “B” Cup was a straight Final between holders Gaelscoil Ultain and St: Louis GNS Monaghan Town, with the Gaelscoil retaining their title in emphatic style and on the day: Great credit must go to their opposition as the team were very skilful on the day
Boys Competition
The Boys “A” Cup small schools competition was first up on Thursday:
Eleven Schools competed for the title, with a three group format:
All three groups were very closely fought with goal difference playing a major part:
Debutants Blackstaff from Inniskeen topped Group One with 7points,with wins against Mullaghrafferty and Gransha an drawing with Threemilehouse:
Lisdoonan came through Group Two, defeating Latnamard and St: Enda’s of Scotshouse and drawing with Deravoy (2/2):
Rockcorry edged a very close Group Three, defeating reigning champions Glaslough, coming back from 3/0 to dramatically win 5/3 and drawing 4/4 with Magherarney:
However Blackstaff were to shatter Rock hopes with a 3/0 semi final victory, setting up a Final with last year’s finalists Lisdoonan:
In a very entertaining game Blackstaff claimed ultimate victory and were crowned Monaghan Champions at their very first attempt!
The Boys “B” Cup for medium schools was once again a very closely fought competition: Two groups were involved with the top team in each reaching the Final:
Defending Champions Castleblaney very narrowly edged Group One with victories against Scoil Rois and Broomfield and drawing with Corracrin and just pipping the Emyvale School courtesy of having scored one goal more!!
Group Two saw Latton go through again on goal difference with wins against Ballybay and Gaelscoil Ultain and a 1/1 draw with Annyalla:
A pulsating Final ensued between Blaney and Latton with Latton claiming a 1/0 victory in one of the best finals witnessed for some years
All winners will now go through to represent Monaghan inthe Ulster Finals in Burnfoot, Donegal on May 23:
Report and images courtesy of Mr: John Crudden, Monaghan FAI Development Officer