An amazing finish to SPAR5s Ulster Finals
Wins for Donegal (2), Cavan (2) and Inishowen (2)
Sunday, April 24, 2016
The impressive Lakeside Centre at Aileach Football Club was a superb venue for the spectacular SPAR FAI Primary School 5s Ulster Finals on Thursday last (April 21) reports Shane Barr (FAI Regional Development Officer & Finals Co-ordinator)
22 schools attended the fine facility just outside Burnfoot in County Donegal, with six pitches to cater for each category. There was plenty of highs and some slows as the various teams got into the swing of the football, who would claim the Ulster title for 2016?
The overall winners of the various categories were evenly distributed as Inishowen (2), Cavan (2) and Donegal (2) all progress to the next level of competition.
SPAR Cup ‘A’ (Small schools, mixed/boys)
The schools comprised of Scoil An Choimín, Lifford (Donegal), St. Patrick’s NS, Loch Gowna (Cavan), St. Colmcille’s NS, Greencastle (Inishowen) and Annyalla NS (Monaghan).
A very tight group indeed with Scoil An Choimín qualifying from the group as winners, although they were run closely by Monaghan champions Annyalla NS. St. Patrick’s NS and St. Colmcille’s NS were very unlucky not to be more involved in the race following some outstanding displays which showed the high standard of this section.
WINNERS:
Scoil an Choimín, Lifford, Donegal: Luke Mag Fhloinn, Josh O’Brollacháin, Niall O’Dochartaigh, Daniel O’Meanthaile, James O’Cnaimshí, Ross O’Brollacháin, James Mag Fhloinn, Cormac O’Cnaimhsí
Muniteoir: Laura Ní Ghallachóir Príomhoide: Máire Ní Ghallchóir
SPAR Cup Girls ‘A’ (Small schools, girls only)
Cloontagh NS (Inishowen), Scoil Mhuire, Lacken NS (Cavan) and Scoil Eoin Baiste, Carrigart (Donegal) competed in this division.
Scoil Mhuire, Lacken NS won this group after each team played each other twice to give them all adequate play time, considering there was only 3 teams in the mix. Although Scoil Mhuire, Lacken NS had very stiff competition from the two other schools and most notably Scoil Eoin Baiste who lost out by just one point as the group table was finalised.
WINNERS:
Scoil Mhuire, Lacken NS, Cavan: Roisin Galligan, Shauna Macklin, Kira Smith, Emma Brady, Alyssa Brady, Bonnie McKiernan, Niamh Cosgrove, Lucy Crowe
Teachers: Julie Ann McKierana, Brian McKiernan
SPAR Cup ‘B’ (Medium schools, mixed/boys)
Glenswilly NS (Donegal), Scoil Naomh Padraig, Corracrin (Monaghan), St. Michael’s NS, Cootehill (Cavan), and St. Patrick’s NS, Carndonagh (Inishowen) made up this grouping.
What an outstanding category this was, having gone down to a 3 way tie between Scoil Naomh Padraig, Corracrin, St. Michael’s NS, Cootehill, and St. Patrick’s NS, Carndonagh. It was decided on goal difference, with St. Michael’s NS, Cootehill getting the edge on the other 2 schools by a solitary goal! The Cavan crew finished with a goal difference of +1 with Scoil Naomh Padraig and St. Patrick’s NS both finishing on a goal difference of 0. Scoil Naomh Padraig, Corracrin snatched runners up spot with 7 goals scored. A top class standard in the medium schools this season. It was extremely difficult to separate these sides as goal difference ultimately decided the winners and runners up.
WINNERS:
St. Michael’s NS, Cootehill, Cavan: Kian Cooper, Christian Hennessey, Callum O’Reilly, Evan Maguire, Owen Comiskey, Senan Mullan, Rian Delaney, Eli Argue
Teachers: Emily Busby, Daniel Price
SPAR Cup Girls ‘B’ (Medium schools, girls only)
A hotly anticipated group here with St. Oran’s NS, Cockhill (Inishowen), Gaelscoil Ultain (Monaghan), St. Mary’s NS, Ballyhaise (Cavan) and Gaelscoil Adhamhain, Leitir Ceannain (Donegal) all starred.
Yet another tightly contested unit, with it eventually going down to a two team race. St. Oran’s NS Cockhill and Gaelscoil Adhamhnain were in the cream of the crop. Their head to head match was won by St. Oran’s NS, Cockhill with a score-line of 3-0. There was some impressive individual displays on show and no doubt these girls will be back again next season chasing the Cup title. St. Oran’s NS won the group by 2 points in the end and the silver medal went to the talented Gaelscoil Adhamhnain
WINNERS:
St. Oran’s NS, Cockhill, Inishowen: Molly Boyd, Leah McDaid, Aoife Gallanagh, Louise Gallanagh, Cora McColgan, Rebecca Rodgers, Kelly Fullerton, Rachel McCallion
Teachers: Kathryn Doherty, Shauna McLaughlin
SPAR Cup ‘C’ (Large schools, mixed/boys)
St. Felim’s NS (Cavan), Scoil Íosagáin, Buncrana (Inishowen), St. Patrick’s NS, Lurgybrack, Letterkenny (Donegal) and Scoil Mhuire na Buachaillí, Castleblaney (Monaghan) contested this segment.
Although all four teams had some excellent players performing to their optimum level, it ultimately went down to two schools again. The experienced Scoil Íosagáin, Buncrana and neighbours St. Patrick’s NS, Lugybrack. It could be seen from the outset that Scoil Íosagáin, Buncrana didn’t possess too many physical players, but what they did have was technically gifted individuals who were pacy and showed the many spectators that they could play to a wonderful brand of football. Huge credit must go to overall winners St. Patrick’s NS, Lurgybrack who won their 3 matches to finish on a total of 9 points. A brilliant achievement for the school as they were crowned Ulster Champions for 2016. Scoil Íosagáin, Buncrana were worthy runners up with just 3 points behind the Lurgybrack boys. The decisive game was their head to head battle which St’ Patrick’s NS won 3-2.
WINNERS:
St. Patrick’s NS, Lurgybrack, Donegal: Nathan Plumb, Adam Murphy, Josh McCullagh, Jay Maguire, James Gallagher, Harry Winfield, David Boyle, James Donahey
Teacher: Aiden Friel
SPAR Cup Girls ‘C’ (Large schools, girls only)
Three schools contested this division with St. Clare’s NS, Ard Mhuire (Cavan), Woodlands NS, Letterkenny (Donegal), and Scoil Íosagáin, Buncrana (Inishowen) all performed well.
The first of the action involved St. Clare’s and Scoil Íosagáin in which the latter w0n with a 4-1 score-line, this result set them up really well with confidence high for the remaining fixtures. Woodlands NS were up next and they were also defeated by Scoil Íosagáin 3-1, in what was a tighter game than the score represents. However Scoil Íosagáin, Buncrana, were the group winners deservedly so, with Woodlands NS defeating St. Clare’s in the final group game to finish as runners up.
WINNERS:
Scoil Íosagáin, Buncrana, Inishowen: Katelyn Doherty, Aoife McDaid, Amalie Webster, Keri Loughrey, Jodie Loughrey, Connie Doherty, Ciara McGee, Ellen Cleary
Teacher: Conor Delap
Thanks to the support of SPAR, the competition will reach a sensational conclusion for the schools involved as the National Finals will take place in the magnificent surrounds of the Aviva Stadium, Dublin on Wednesday, May 11. The event will be a family fun day focused on providing participants and spectators alike with huge excitement and entertainment, making it a day to remember for all involved.
Show your support for the Ulster qualifiers this year with a visit to the home of soccer on May 11 in the Aviva Stadium. There will be prizes galore, including a special award for the most colourful, energetic supporters as we encourage schools to get behind their colleagues, so it’s definitely a date to pencil in on the school diary. We wish all participating schools the very best of luck.
SPAR 5s ROLL OF HONOUR
|
Section |
Winners |
Runners-Up |
|
SPAR Cup ‘A’ |
Scoil An Choimín, Lifford (Donegal) |
Annyala NS (Monaghan) |
|
SPAR Cup ‘A’ Girls |
Scoil Mhuire, Lacken NS (Monaghan) |
Scoil Eoin Baiste (Donegal) |
|
SPAR Cup ‘B’ |
St. Michael’s NS, Cootehill (Cavan) |
Scoil Naomh Padraig NS, Corracrin (Monaghan) |
|
SPAR Cup ‘B’ Girls |
St. Oran’s NS, Cockhill (Inishowen) |
Gaelscoil Adhamhnain NS (Donegal) |
|
SPAR Cup ‘C’ |
St. Patrick’s NS, Lurgybrack (Donegal) |
Scoil Íosagáin, Buncrana (Inishowen) |
|
SPAR Cup ‘C’ Girls |
Scoil Íosagáin, Buncrana (Inishowen) |
Woodlands NS, Letterkenny (Donegal) |
SPAR FAI Primary School 5s Competition
Schedule of Events
PROVINCIAL
Munster Final: April 20, Waterford Institute of Technology Sports Centre, Waterford
Ulster Final: April 21, Lakeside, Aileach FC, Burnfoot, Inishowen, Donegal
Connacht Final: April 27, Milebush Park, Castlebar, Mayo
Leinster Final: April 28, MDL Grounds, Trim Road, Navan, Meath
NATIONAL
National Final: May 11, Aviva Stadium, Dublin
For more information:
Jennifer Kelly, PSG Sponsorship – Jennifer.Kelly@psgsponsorship.ie / 085 1076806
Scott Graham, PSG Sponsorship – Scott.Graham@psgsponsorship.ie / 086 3687548
Diane Fay, FAI Schools - Diane.Fay@fai.ie / 086 0404 952