PREVIEW | FAI Schools Primary 5s Ulster Finals Day
Monday, May 13, 2024
The stage is set for the FAI Schools Primary 5s Ulster Finals Day as Bailieboro Celtic AFC is set to host the prestigious event on Wednesday, May 15.
216 players from 27 teams in 24 schools have qualified fromtheir County Finals showdown to reach the provincial stages as six sections are up for grabs in the boys and girls sections as well as the Football for All pairings.
The standard of football in the qualifying rounds was excellent, with the Finals Day expected to exceed this with some extremely good groupings up for decision.
Scoil Íosagain, Buncrana have three teams in the mix as the boys and girls compete in the ‘C’ Cup for large schools while their Football for All players are competing also. Coimin NS in Donegal also have two teams in the mix with their boys and girls qualified in the ‘A’ Cup for small schools.
The ‘A’ Cup for boys or mix teams in small schools (0-25 boys) will see Knocktemple NS, Latnamard NS, Gaelscoil Bun an Phobail and Coimin NS all in contention for the Ulster title. While the Girls ‘A’ Cup will see Scoil Mhuire, Lacken, Scoil Mhuire, Threemilehouse, Greencastle NS and Coimin NS all in the mix.
Another eye catching division is the ‘B’ Cup which will see Butlersbridge NS, Urbleshanny NS, Bridgend NS and St. Eunan’s NS all gunning for glory. The Girls ‘B’ Cup for medium schools (26-80 girls) have an array of talent with St. Michael’s NS, Cootehill,
St Oliver Plunketts Loughmourne, Craigstown NS, Carndonagh and Scoil Mhuire, Ramelton all looking to impress.
The large schools category (81+ boys), the ‘C’ Cup will have some competition with St. Mary’s NS, Virginia, St. Mary’s BNS, Monaghan Town, Scoil Íosagáin, Buncrana and Illistrin NS all lining out for top spot. Likewise, the Girls ‘C’ Cup will serve up a delight with St. Clare’s NS, Cavan Town, St. Louis GNS, Monaghan Town, Scoil Íosagáin, Buncrana and St. Mary’s NS, Stranorlar all relishing the chance to progress to the National stage.
The provincial winners will go on to represent Ulster in the FAI Schools Primary 5s National Finals which is scheduled for Wednesday, May 29 at Aviva Stadium, Dublin
What’s it all about?
The 5-a-side competition which is open to boys and girls from 4th, 5th and 6th class, and puts emphasis on fun and inclusivity. The blitz day format is co-ordinated at local level with the assistance of a network of FAI Development Officers and local primary school teachers. These personnel co-ordinate events at County level with qualifying schools progressing to Regional, Provincial and National Finals.
The programme will see 2,025 schools engaged in the competition with 42,064 students participating this season with a remarkable 45% of those participants female.
There are 6 divisions to suit all school sizes with small, medium and large schools all catered for. While the programme encourages 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.
LIST OF PARTICIPAING SCHOOLS
Football for All (Special Schools)
Cavan St. Anne’s NS
Monaghan Corracrin NS
Inishowen Scoil Íosagáin, Buncrana
‘A’ Cup Small Schools (Boys / Mixed Teams)
Cavan Knocktemple NS
Monaghan Latnamard NS
Donegal Coimin NS
Inishowen Gaelscoil Bun an Phobail
Girls ‘A’ Cup Small Schools (Girls Only)
Cavan Scoil Mhuire, Lacken
Monaghan Scoil Mhuire, Threemlehouse
Donegal Coimin NS
Inishowen Greencastle NS
‘B’ Cup Medium Schools (Boys / Mixed Teams)
Cavan Butlersbridge NS
Monaghan Urbleshanny NS
Donegal St. Eunan’s NS, Raphoe
Inishowen Bridgend NS
Girls ‘B’ Cup Medium Schools (Girls Only)
Cavan St. Michael’s NS, Cootehill
Monaghan St. Oliver Plunketts, Loughmourne
Donegal Scoil Mhuire, Ramelton
Inishowen Craigtown NS, Carndonagh
‘C’ Cup Large Schools (Boys / Mixed Teams)
Cavan St. Mary’s NS, Virginia
Monaghan St. Mary’s BNS
Donegal Illistrin NS
Inishowen Scoil Íosagáin, Buncrana
Girls ‘C’ Cup Large Schools (Girls Only)
Cavan St. Clare’s NS
Monaghan St. Louis GNS
Donegal St. Mary’s NS, Stranorlar
Inishowen Scoil Íosagáin, Buncrana
Schedule of Events: #Primary5s
Provincial
Ulster Finals: May 15, 2024, Bailieboro Celtic AFC, Cavan
Leinster Finals: May 15, 2024, MDL Grounds, Trim Road, Navan, Meath
Munster Finals: May 15 (Girls) & May 16 (Boys) 2024, Cahir Park AFC, Tipperary
Connacht Finals: May 15, 2024 (Girls & FFA) & May 16 (Boys) 2024, Milebush, Castlebar, Mayo
National
National Finals: May 29, 2024, Aviva Stadium, Dublin