Schools spectacular on the horizon

IRISH INDEPENDENT, Wednesday March 18 2009

THE countdown has begun to the FAI Schools Louth and Meath five-a-side soccer spectacular, with 77 schools from the Royal County alone battling for places in the North Leinster, provincial and All-Ireland competitions.
With so many teams participating in the Meath competition will be run over six days – from March 23rd to 27th and 31st at the MDL's all-weather pitches in Navan. The Louth qualifiers will be hosted by the JJB Soccerdome, Dundalk on April 29th and 30th.
Meath and Leinster coordinator Paul Holland said: 'Our aim has always been to welcome as many teams as possible to enjoy the experience of representing their school in a national competition.
'There is the competitive aspect where schools endeavour to win at county, provincial and AllIreland levels, but for most it's the fun in participation that matters most.'
Last year Rathkenny reached the final for small school and the girls from Newtown won their first county final, overcoming Kildalkey. In the section for large schools, the girls of St Oliver Plunkett's school in Navan won their third county title when they beat Whitecross NS (Julianstown) in the final, while the boys from St. Colmcille's Kells pipped Donacarney BNS in their final.