The FAI Schools Meath 5-a-side was launched today, Monday 1 March: The event will be held over six days at the MDL Grounds, Trim Road, Navan: The competition organisers Paul Holland & Mark Scanlon (FAI Development Officer) will have a hectic week of fixtures with a record 168 teams from 80 schools taking part:
The tournament in Meath was originally hosted in several venues across the county from 1992/1999 before moving to the MDL for the first time in 2000 (originally on grass pitches):
The following year saw the competition move to the six/All Weather pitches at the MDL:
Meath's most recent All Ireland Champions were the boys from Rathbeggan NS who won the section for medium sized schools in 2005:
The prestigious Navan venue will this year also host the North Leinster Finals (which consist of the winners from Louth, Meath, Westmeath & Longford):
The North Leinster Finals will take place on April 28th and the Leinster Finals on 19th May:
There are five sections, two for girls and three for boys, based on the number of pupils in the senior classes of each school:
Schools battle it out in county qualifiers nationwide, advancing firstly to regional finals and then to provincial deciders before progressing to the All/Ireland Finals in Tullamore on 26th May:
Monday 1st March Section “A” Girls(Small Schools) 40 schools entered:
Register 9:45 am: Competition begins at 10:00 am sharp:
Tuesday 2nd March Section “A” Boys(Small Schools) 32 schools entered: Register 9:45 am: Competition begins at 10:00 am sharp:
Wednesday 3rd March Section “B” Boys (Medium/Sized Schools) 54 teams: As in past four years this section divided into morning (6 groups) and afternoon (6 groups):
Thursday 4th MarchSection “B” Girls (Large Schools) 20 teams entered:
Register 9:45 am :Competition begins at 10:00 am sharp:
Friday 5th March Section “C” Boys (Large Schools) 22 teams entered:
Register 9:45 am: Competition begins at 10:00 am sharp:
Wednesday 10th March Teams that advance from Section “A” Girls, Section “A” Boys & Section “B” Boys will compete in final stages:
North Leinster Finals April 28th
Winners of each of the five sections will advance to this stage at MDL Grounds Navan (on grass) v Winners from Louth, Westmeath & Longford:
Leinster Finals 19th May MDL Grounds Navan
All/Ireland Finals 26th May Leah Victoria Park, Tullamore Town FC
For further information on the events please check out www:faischoolsmeath:com or contact Mark Scanlon on 086 795 4353 or Paul Holland 087 9630 375
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