Kilkenny ladies Grennan College and Meath men St: Peter’s College were crowned FAI Schools First Year Futsal Leinster Champions today (November 22) in the wonderful surrounds of Franciscan College, Gormanston
Both the girls and boys section were run simultaneously with proceedings kicking off early in the Meath venue: With four courts in commission throughout the day, it saw the fast flow of fixtures as group 1 and group 2 games were played in both sections: This was no mean feat as the industrious Ballymun INTERREG students were on hand to co/ordinate all 62 games and ensure all fixtures were completed on schedule:
With clock/work procession it was game on in Gormanston:
BOYS SECTION
Five times Wicklow representative’s Dublin Oak were joined this season by their counterparts Woodland girls in a dual representative for the same academy: Although a different namesake the private school operates an education programme for predominately foreign students: Many of the players lined out today travelled from Mexico and Spain to ensure an International flavour to events:
The travelling supporters from Dublin Oak had much to cheer about as the experienced Eddie Gormley and John McShane lead them to provincial success: This was an amazing achievement as both schools have less than 100 students enrolled in their schools: Dublin Oak has been the Wicklow Champions for the past five years capturing back to back titles: The school was first time Leinster winners of this competition five years ago when the Finals were held in the Basketball Arena in Tallaght and thus would ensure a high standard of futsal as the group stages unfolded
Dublin Oak were very impressive throughout their group games and were bitterly disappointed to have lost out to St: Peter’s College with the final kick of the ball ensuring the Dunboyne boys a late equalising to share the points:
Another familiar face at today’s futsal finals was mentor Gavan Kierans of Wilson Hospital School in Multyfarnham: The squad were strengthened from last season and definitely improvements were made from last year’s position: Youngster Diego Tirado who originates from Madrid was wonderful in their group games: His dominance outfield was superb and even better when he replaced the injured keeper Charles Flynn:
Laois had one change to their winning qualifiers as St: Mary’s CBS in Portlaoise were unable to travel due to school examinations: Thus the runners up in their County qualifiers Mountrath Community School were worthy representatives on the day to take their place:
The Dunboyne natives, St: Peter’s College entered the competition with both sections represented ensuring a large contingency of support for the home sides: It was evident from early on that both these two sides would be in the running in the closing stages:
The games were both competitive and entertaining as the boys section developed: Lucan’s Scoil Cois Life had a phenomenal goal scoring record in group one with 14 goals scored in total:Séamas De Rís can be commended for keeping a clean sheet throughout the five group games:
While Tullamore’s Colaiste Choilm were also impressive providing a good account of themselves with three wins against Gorey Community School (3/0), Pipers Hill (2/1) and St: Kieran’s (2/0) before losing out to Lucan’s Scoil Cois Life 0/3 but they remedied this by drawing 1/1 with Drogheda Grammar in the final game of the group: Stephen Leonard scored a hat/trick of goals in Tullamore’s endeavours while Ryan Sheridan, Ethan Morris Gorman and Aaron Leavy put in some outstanding performances and also got their names on the score sheets:
Unfortunately Moylan & O’Neill’s side could do nothing about their earlier encounter as the Lucan lads went on to top group one and advance to the final stages:
Group Two was the culmination of some striking performances from a trio of schools namely Dublin Oak, St: Peter’s College and Presentation De La Salle all in the running:
Kilkenny’s St: Kieran’s had a mixed day with the team winning their opening game to Drogheda Grammar 2/0, this was closely followed by another 2/0 win to Gorey, however their winning momentum failed to flourish at the hands of Colaiste Choilm as they inflicted a 2/0 win on the Kilkenny school: Piper’s Hill was next on the cards for the KILKENNY SAINTS and this game went to the wire: Kilkenny held their nerve to overcame a determined Piper’s Hill 1/0: Then came the Lucan star’s who were in convincing form: The game was end to end action as a solidarity goal decided Kilkenny’s faith: Scoil Cois Life winning 1/0 in a pulsating penultimate game in that group:
Dublin Oak and St: Peter’s College drew their crunch encounter 1/1 while Presentation DLS lost only once and this was at the hands of St: Peter’s 2/1: Dublin Oak lost 2/3 to Mountrath Community School which was to spell their third place finish in their group: St Peter’s topped the table on 9 points closely followed by an 8 point finish by Naas’ Presentation DLS:
There was no denying that the highlight of the contest was the boys final:
Group one winners faced group two winners in the finale as Scoil Cois Life, Lucan and St: Peter’s College took to the court:
Lucan were slight favourites on paper having not conceded thus far in the competition and winning all five games convincingly while St: Peter’s won four and drew one in their title race ambitions:
An open platform for both sides as the game commenced: Tensions were high as Scoil Cois Life went close on two occasions but were denied by the woodwork:
However it was St: Peter’s who took the lead with a stunning strike to the bottom corner: 1/0 to the Meath men
It took the Dublin school a while to find the equaliser but that they did with the final whistle blown on a 1/1 score line:
Extra time could not separate these two skilful sides as a penalty shootout ensued:
Three penalties would decide the faith of these two incredible schools
Dunboyne had a disastrous start with them missing the first strike: Scoil Cois converted
The SAINTS made sure of their second while Scoil Cois effort was saved by Dunboyne’s Nathan Lee: All level again with two spot kicks taken:
Both Dunboyne and Lucan converted their third in fine form so left a sudden death scenario:
Edge of the seat antics as tensions mounted:
Both schools lived up to expectations and converted spot kicks four and five: Dunboyne got the sixth while Scoil Cois agonisingly missed as Lee saved again: Euphoria for St: Peter’s, anguish for Scoil Cois Life:
FUTSAL
Futsal is a fast moving five/a/side indoor game where the rules are designed to discourage time wasting: The game develops speed, technique, skill and quick thinking of a player and is an excellent game for all young players and it certainly contributes immensely to the development of the young player:
But while many will say that it wasn’t all about the winning, it was great to see so many players, whether playing or just watching games, enjoy themselves and it was a real fun day and definitely futsal is something that we are going to hear a lot more about in the future with more and more schools taking to the sporting halls around the country:
GIRLS COMPETITION
Defending Leinster stars Eureka Secondary School were defeated in their County qualifiers by Meath machines St: Peter’s College, Dunboyne: The girls put up an excellent display that day in Gormanston to win the County crown: Could history repeat itself for a second time at the home of school’s futsal, Franciscan College?
Hacketstown’s Colaiste Eoin and Dundalk’s St: Vincent’s were causing concern for New Ross rockets St: Mary’s as the group stages developed:
Likewise Scoil Chriost Rí, Grennan College and St: Peter’s were all serving up match winning performances in the other group games:
Wexford women St: Mary’s had an outstanding campaign winning all five group games, notching up 19 goals while only conceding once to Woodlands in their opening game: This incredible performance led them out group two winners with Dundalk dynamo St: Vincent’s providing a powerful display placing them second in their group:
St: Peter’s College and Scoil Chriost Rí notched up seven points on the league table: Both sides won 3, lost 1 and drew 1: The latter gaining second spot on goal difference but the group table winner on eight points was Kilkenny’s Grennan College: The group stages were so tight for Grennan that 3 wins AND two draws at the hands of Portlaoise pupils Scoil Chriost Ri (1/1) and St: Peter’s College (0/0) thus just nudged them to top spot with a solidarity point to spare:
Grennan College and St: Mary’s Secondary School provided an epic final as both teams were closing their opponents down at every opportunity: The deadlock remained for much of the match:
A lone goal in the dying minutes separated the sides as St: Mary’s defended superbly but it wasn’t to be: Nicola Murphy’s Grennan girls capturing success by the narrowest of margins to a wonderful Wexford side that should be very proud of their displays throughout the day
Progression to the ALL IRELAND FINALS now for Grennan College and St: Peter’s College which will be held on Tuesday, December 6 at Franciscan College, Gormanston, Co: Meath: We wish the schools the very best of luck in their endeavours to be crowned All Ireland Champions:
The event which is part of the FAI’s football in schools programme will be co/ordinated by National Administrative Officer for FAI Schools, Diane Fay: For further information please contact Diane on 0860404952
List of participating Schools:
Dublin (Boys) Scoil Cois Life, Lucan: Séamas De Rís, Adam Ó Cearbhaill, Liam Ó Broin, Lúcás Boore, Tadhg Ó Donaile, Ciaran MacGabhann, Conall Ó Gordúin, Ciaran Ó Hógáin
Teacher: Áine NicCionnaith
Dublin (Girls) Loreto College, Swords: Fiona Donnelly, Niamh Smith, Lauren McCormack, Miriam Ezumezu, Sinead McCrohan, Katie McGowan, Rachael Dalton, Shauna Daly, Orla Geaney, Sorcha Poole, Ciara McGuirk, Daire McCutcheon, Karena McKeown
Teacher: Peter MacNamara
Wicklow (Boys) Dublin Oak Academy, Kilcroney, Bray:Sergio Aguilar, Mauricio Pascal, Guillerno Ochoa, Diego Tavares, Manuel Uazques, Sergio Sallent, Miguel Gil, Francisco Cotera, Mauricio Aluarado, Nicolas Haddad, Elias Bajaras, Pablo Lemarroy
Teacher: John McShane
Wicklow (Girls) Woodlands, Bray: Andrea Aguilar, Camila Torrielo, Maria Mas, Marta Fernandez, Miriam Abugaber, Paula Priego, Isabel Aguilar, Ana Sofia Cano, Citlali Barradas, Maria Isla, Audrey Gonzalez, Valeria Aguilar
Mentor:Eddie Gormley
Laois (Boys) Mountrath Community School:Shane Dowling, Kevin Murphy, Stephen Dunphy, Aaron Dunphy, Shane Clody, David Whelan, Dylan Lalor, Scott Jestin, Keith Quirke
Teacher: Tom Devane
Laois (Girls) Scoil Chriost Rí, Portlaoise: Teegan Commins, Gráinne Moran, Orla Carroll, Courtney Aldricu, Allanah O’Toole, Coleen Richard, Orla Doyle, Tanya Delaney, Ellen Healy, Allanah Doheny, Jessica O’Neill, Deirdre Phelan
Teacher: Stephen Goggin
Kildare (Boys) Piper’s Hill College, Naas: Jake Fagan, Paul Farrelly, Ronald Ntumba, Mathen Gallagher, Duncan Henderson, Ruiz Felipe, Shane Byrne, Jakub Flarczak, Ultan McAleese
Teacher: Gavin Dempsey
Kildare (Girls) St: Paul’s Secondary School, Monasterevin: Chloe Harrison, Chloe Carroll, Lauren Kelly, Ella Campi, Siobhan Clinton, Niamh Clinton, Hannah Grattan
Teacher: Elaine Mahony
Kilkenny (Boys) St: Kieran’s College: Jack Manning, Adam Power, Jack Smith, Dara Kane, Ber Lawlor, Martin Keoghan, Eoin Rudkins, Ryan Poyton, James Nugent, Jeff Kealy, Andy Walsh, Tom Lalor
Teacher: Ger Flood
Kilkenny (Girls) Grennan College, Thomastown: Niamh Sheehy, Ailis O’Shea, Aoife Holden, Rebecca Walsh, Orla Gardiner, Ciara Gardiner, Christina Begley, Niamh Costigan, Rachel Murphy, Fern Van Rooyen
Teacher: Nicola Murphy
Offaly (Boys) Colaiste Choilm, Tullamore: Joe Grimes, Anthony Kavanagh, Aaron Leavy, Ryan Casey, Stephen Leonard, Ethan Morris Gorman, David English, Shawn Byrne, Jack Gooddings, Ryan Sheerin, Adam Galvin, Darragh Norris
Teacher:Richelle O’Neill & Trevor Moylan
Offaly (Girls) Killina Presentation Secondary School, Tullamore: Orlaith Redmond, Megan O’Brien, Sarah White, Savanah Hannon, Katie Bryant, Rachel Byrant, Tara McEvoy, Abbie Dominik, Cliodhna Monaghan
Teacher: James Mulligan
Meath (Boys) St: Peter’s College, Dunboyne: Nathan Lee, Colm Dowling, Lavina Adam, Lorcan Conway, Sam McQuaid, Gavin Prior, Darragh Nolan, Lloyd Youngston, Sean Quigley, Sean Nealon, Cian Mullen, Brendan Courtney
Teacher: Danny O’Reilly
Meath (Girls) St: Peter’s College, Dunboyne: Leanne Daly, Rachel Nixon, Eva Conway, Robyn Tobin, Beatrice Porlirio, Niamh Williams, Ciara Glynn, Jane Higgins, Laura Farrell, Aoife Ryan, Vicki Wall, Roisin McGoldrick
Teacher:Donncha McCarrick
Westmeath (Boys) Wilson Hospital School, Multyfarnham:Charles Flynn, Diego Tirado, Joseph Higgins, Kasop Olupitan, Matheus Costa Wallace, Nathanael Costa Wallace, Richard Popoola, Ruadhan McDonnell, Stuart Cunningham, Tapiwa Ryan Mawondo, Yusuf Magaji
Teacher: Gavan Kierans
Westmeath (Girls) Castlepollard Community College
Louth (Boys) Drogheda Grammar School: Ryan Nolan, Nathan Reynolds, Oisin Ogibne, Jack Noer, Jamie Guidea, Chris Healy, Fionn Cogue, Keaith Chari, Sean Flynn, Alex Holden, Oliver Tidy
Teacher: Richard Geoghegan
Louth (Girls) St: Vincent’s Secondary School, Dundalk:Shannon Norton, Emma McArdle, Chloe Savage Lennon, Risi Shotago, Katie Todd, Eimear Curtain, Hannah McGivern, Sarah McAleer, CJ McGuinness, Rebecca Russell
Teacher: Fiona Butler
Wexford (Boys) Gorey Community School: Stephen Hesepestall, Paul Corten, Adam Fagan, Nathan Feeney, Darragh O’Toole, Lee Cullen, Adam Spencer, Shane Halpin, James Herring, William Hurley, Frank Roche, Seamus O’Donnell
Teacher: John Burke
Wexford (Girls) St Mary’s Secondary School, New Ross:Aine McGarr, Kerri Wall, Sinéad Ryan, Shavna Wall, Sinéad Egan, Keely Murphy, Talia Murphy, Anna Breen, Lauren Walsh
Teacher: Aoife Traynor
Carlow (Boys) Presentation De La Salle, Bagenalstown:Paul Martin, John Martin, Martin Bridgett, Conor Lennon, Stephen Crowe, Shane Flavin, Mickey Bambrick, Tomasz Chodkowski, Michael Gardiner, Eoin Johnson, Daniel Nolan, Jake O’Hara
Teacher: Tom Cummins
Carlow (Girls) Colaiste Eoin, Hacketstown: Bethaney Sharpe, Katie Smith, Chloe Smith, Megan Kane, Emma Coleman, Edel Byrne, Tegan Pelly, Catherine Kearney, Kelly Nolan, Shanice Redmond
Teacher: Mairead Kavanagh
BOYS SECTION
Group 1:
Pipers Hill College, Naas (KILDARE)
Scoil Cois Life (DUBLIN)
Colaiste Choilm, Tullamore (OFFALY)
Gorey Community College (WEXFORD)
Dundalk Grammar School (LOUTH)
St: Kieran’s College (KILKENNY)
Group 2:
St: Peter’s College, Dunboyne (MEATH)
Castlepollard Community College (WESTMEATH)
Presentation De La Salle (CARLOW)
Mountrath Community School (LAOIS)
Dublin Oak Academy (WICKLOW)
Boys Fixtures: Group 1
11:00 Pipers Hill 0/2 Scoil Cois
11:15 Colaiste Choilm 3/0 Gorey CS
11:30 Dundalk Grammar 0/2 St: Kieran’s
11:45 Pipers Hill 1/2 Colaiste Choilm
12:00 Scoil Cois 6/0 Dundalk
12:15 Gorey CS 0/2 St: Kieran’s
12:30 Pipers Hill 4/0 Dundalk
12:45 Colaiste Choilm 2/0 St: Kieran’s
13:00 Scoil Cois 2/0 Gorey CS
13:15 Pipers Hill 0/1 St: Kieran’s
13:30 Gorey CS 6/0 Dundalk Grammar
13:45 Scoil Cois 2/0 Colaiste Choilm
14:00 Pipers Hill 2/2 Gorey CS
14:15 Scoil Cois 1/0 St: Kieran’s
14:30 Colaiste Choilm 1/1 Dundalk Grammar
Boys Fixtures: Group 2
11:00 St: Peter’s 2/1 Wilson
11:15 Presentation DLS 3/2 Mountrath
11:30 Longford 0/1 Dublin Oak
11:45 St: Peter’s 2/1 Presentation DLS
12:00 Wilson 1/0 Longford
12:15 Mountrath 2/3 Dublin Oak
12:30 St: Peter’s 1/0 Longford
12:45 Presentation DLS 2/0 Dublin Oak
13:00 Wilson 4/3 St: Mary’s CBS
13:15 St: Peter’s 1/1 Dublin Oak
13:30 Mountrath 1/0 Longford
13:45 Wilson 0/6 Presentation DLS
14:00 St: Peter’s 4/3 Mountrath
14:15 Wilson 2/5 Dublin Oak
14:30 Presentation DLS 1/0 Longford
BOYS FINAL
14:45 Scoil Cois Life 1/1 St: Peter’s College (AET)
Pens 2/2, Sudden Death Pens 5/4 to St: Peter’s College, Dunboyne
GIRLS SECTION
Group 1
Loreto College, Swords (DUBLIN)
St: Peter’s College, Dunboyne (MEATH)
Scoil Chriost Rí, Portlaoise (LAOIS)
Killina Presentation Secondary School, Tullamore (OFFALY)
Grennan College (KILKENNY)
Group 2
Castlepollard Community College (WESTMEATH)
St: Vincent’s Secondary School, Dundalk (LOUTH)
St: Paul’s Secondary School, Monasterevin (KILDARE)
Colaiste Eoin, Hacketstown (CARLOW)
Woodlands, Kilcroney (WICKLOW)
St: Mary’s Secondary School, New Ross (WEXFORD)
Girls Fixtures: Group 1
11:00 Loreto 2/1 St: Peter’s
11:15 Scoil Chriost 4/1 Killina SS
11:30 Grennan 1/0 Longford
11:45 Loreto 0/3 Scoil Chriost
12:00 St: Peter’s 0/0 Grennan
12:15 Killina SS 1/0 Longford
12:30 Loreto 0/4 Grennan
12:45 Scoil Chriost 1/0 Longford
13:00 St Peter’s 2/1 Killina SS
13:15 Loreto 1/0 Longford
13:30 Killina SS 3/6 Grennan College
13:45 St Peter’s 2/1 Scoil Chriost
14:00 Loreto 2/0 Killina SS
14:15 St Peter’s 1/0 Longford
14:30 Scoil Chriost 1/1 Grennan
Girls Fixtures: Group 2
11:00 Castlepollard 0/3 St: Vincents
11:15 St: Paul’s 0/3 Colaiste Eoin
11:30 Woodlands 1/3 St: Mary’s
11:45 Castlepollard 1/8 St: Paul’s
12:00 St: Vincent’s 1/1 Woodlands
12:15 Colaiste Eoin 0/2 St: Mary’s
12:30 Castlepollard 1/0 Woodlands
12:45 St: Paul’s 0/4 St: Mary’s
13:00 St: Vincent’s 2/0 Colaiste Eoin
13:15 Castlepollard 0/6 St: Mary’s
13:30 Colaiste Eoin 1/1 Woodlands
13:45 St: Vincent’s 2/0 St: Mary’s
14:00 Castlepollard 0/3 Colaiste Eoin
14:15 St: Vincent’s 0/4 St: Mary’s
14:30 St: Paul’s 0/1 Woodlands
GIRLS FINAL
14:45 Grennan College 1/0 St: Mary’s Secondary School
END
