Wexford (2), Westmeath, Carlow & Dublin claim Leinster crown
The stunning surrounds of the MDL Grounds in Navan was the setting for the Leinster Finals of the FAI Schools 5-a-side competition yesterday (Thursday, May 19)
The event saw over 16,000 children participate last year: The competition has been running since the mid 1990’s, the event is more popular than ever with 1,005 schools involved in 2010:
The FAI Schools 5-a-side is the biggest and best competition in the 2011 Primary Schools Soccer Calendar: There are 5 divisions to suit all school sizes: While FAI Schools encourage 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:
Twenty schools from Dublin (5), Carlow (1), Offaly (1), Meath (1), Louth (1), Westmeath (3), Kildare (4) and Wexford (4) competed for Provincial honours in an enjoyable outing for all participating schools: There was a mix of fortunes for some of the Counties as Wexford picked up 2 Provincial titles with Westmeath, Dublin (Malahide) and Carlow capturing the remaining trio of places in a high entertaining festival of football:
Leinster livewires St: Laurence O’Toole’s and Durrow NS were defending their Provincial titles as proceedings commenced in the Royal County: Both schools would have to impress throughout their three games if they were to remain Provincial heroes for a second conservative year:
However their opposition today had other ideas as they fancied their chances against the leaders:
It took two very talented Wexford schools to outdo the might of O’Toole’s and Durrow as events unfolded: The Leinster leaders had to relinquish their titles as Scoil Naomh Aine, Wexford captured the Boys “B” title while neighbouring outfit Bree NS snatched the Girls “A” Cup in fine style:
Both Wexford Champions had three clean wins in their group, topping their respective tables on 6 points each with a powerful 13 goal tally for Scoil Naomh Aine and similarly for the Bree girls only conceding once to last year’s stars Durrow NS:
Hosts Gaelscoil na Boinne, Trim put the pressure on Bree NS as they came second in a highly skilled field in the Girls “A” Section: The Meath side was unlucky not to claim the coveted silverware as a 2/0 defeat to Bree in their second competitive fixture was their ultimate dismissal from top spot:
St: Joseph’s NS, Kildarewas proud of their second place finish in the Boys “B” Section as they were placed higher than St: Laurence O’Toole’s: The Kildare boys had two convincing victories over O’Toole’s and Kilpatrick after a rocky defeat to table toppers Scoil Naomh in their opener:
Carlow’s Bishop Foley NSwere delighted to capture the Leinster title after a nine goal spree say the wee County pick up all six points on offer: Runners up in that group by goal difference were Ballyroan NS who just edged Maynooth NS to the riches:
Milltown NS based in Westmeath won the small schools category of the Boys “A” Section in tremendous fashion: The school will be much fancied to do well at All Ireland level given their determined style of play this afternoon:
Second spot in that group was more difficult to decide as Timolin, Boolavogue and Zion all shared two points with each winning one game apiece: Goal difference then came into effect with Zion and Boolavogue still in contention for the silver medal: Their head to head record from the group decided the feat with Zion NS winning their encounter 5/2 to claim second place in the highly entertaining group: All participating schools in the group did fantastic and should be very proud of their display on the day:
Malahide’s St: Oliver Plunkett’s NS picked up the crown in the Girls “B” Section for medium schools: Another clean sweep saw the girls top the table with St: Colman’s of Mullingar doing the Westmeath County proud with a second place finish
Many thanks to all the participating teams today who did extremely well in reaching this Provincial stage, unfortunately only one school from each section can progress to the next level
The five Provincial Finalists will now travel to the National Finals which will be held in Leah Victoria Park, Tullamore on Wednesday, June 1:
OVERVIEW:
Section “A” Schools: Milltown NS, Westmeath
Section “A” Girls Schools: Bree NS, Wexford
Section “B” Schools: Scoil Naoimh Aine, Rathrogue, Wexford
Section “B” Girls Schools: St: Oliver Plunkett NS, Malahide
Section “C” Schools: Bishop Foley NS, Carlow
LEINSTER PROVINCIAL FINALISTS:
“A” Schools:
TEAMS
Zion Primary School, Rathgar (Dublin)
Milltown NS, Westmeath (North Leinster)
Timolin NS, Kildare (Mid Leinster)
Boolavogue NS, Wexford (South Leinster)
FIXTURES
11:30 Zion 1/6 Milltown
11:55 Timolin 3/2 Boolavogue
12:20 Zion 5/2 Timolin
12:45 Milltown 5/3 Boolavogue
13:10 Zion 3/4 Boolagogue
13:35 Milltown 6/2 Timolin
Winner: MILLTOWN NS, WESTMEATH
Runner Up: ZION NS, RATHGAR
“A” Girls Schools:
TEAMS
Monkstown ETNS (Dublin)
Gaelscoil na Boinne, Trim, Meath (North Leinster)
Durrow NS, Offaly (Mid Leinster)
Bree NS, Wexford (South Leinster)
FIXTURES
11:30 Monkstown 0/2 Gaelscoil
11:55 Durrow 1/3 Bree
12:20 Monkstown 0/3 Durrow
12:45 Gaelscoil 0/2 Bree
13:10 Monkstown 0/8 Bree
13:35 Gaelscoil 4/2 Durrow
Winners: BREE NS, WEXFORD
Runner Up: GAELSCOIL NA BOINNE, TRIM
“B” Schools:
TEAMS
St: Laurence O’Toole’s (Dublin)
Kilpatrick NS, Westmeath (North Leinster)
St: Joseph’s NS, Kildare (Mid Leinster)
Scoil Naomh Aine, Rathrogue, Wexford (South Leinster)
FIXTURES
11:30 St Laurence 3/1 Kilpatrick
11:55 St Joseph’s 0/2 Scoil Naoimh
12:20 St Laurence 0/4 St Joseph’s
12:45 Kilpatrick 2/4 Scoil Naoimh
13:10 St Laurence 1/7 Scoil Naoimh
13:35 Kilpatrick 1/4 St: Joseph’s
Winners: SCOIL NAOIMH AINE, RATHROGUE, WEXFORD
Runners Up: ST: JOSEPHS NS, KILDARE
Girls “B” Schools:
TEAMS
St: Oliver Plunkett NS, Malahide (Dublin)
St: Colman’s NS, Mullingar, Westmeath (North Leinster)
Presentation NS, Maynooth, Kildare (Mid Leinster)
St: Ibar’s NS, Castlebridge (South Leinster)
FIXTURES
11:30 St: Oliver’s 3/1 St: Colman’s
11:55 Presentation 1/2 St: Ibar’s
12:20 St: Oliver’s 4/0 Presentation
12:45 St: Colman’s 5/0 St: Ibar’s
13:10 St: Oliver’s 3/1 St: Ibar’s
13:35 St: Colman’s 5/3 Presentation
Winners: ST: OLIVER PLUNKETTS, MALAHIDE
Runners Up: ST: COLMANS NS, MULLINGAR
“C” Schools:
TEAMS
Ballyroan NS (Dublin)
Blackrock NS, Louth (North Leinster)
Maynooth BNS, Kildare (Mid Leinster)
Bishop Foley NS, Carlow (South Leinster)
FIXTURES
11:30 Ballyroan 5/1 Blackrock
11:55 Maynooth 0/3 Bishop Foley
12:20 Ballyroan 1/1 Maynooth
12:45 Blackrock 1/4 Bishop Foley
13:10 Ballyroan 1/2 Bishop Foley
13:35 Blackrock 0/2 Maynooth
Winners: BISHOP FOLEY NS, CARLOW
Runners Up: BALLYROAN NS, DUBLIN
IMAGES of all participating schools available upon request
