816 Westmeath students participate in SPAR FAI Primary School 5s Programme
Mullingar Athletic, Gainstown played host to the Westmeath County Finals of the SPAR FAI Primary School 5s Programme on Monday, 14th March. 816 children from 33 different schools participated in the competition this year. From the original 102 teams, it was down to the final 24 teams and 192 students to battle it out in the six different categories to see who would progress to the provincial finals.
The ‘A’ Cup, open to boys and/or mixed teams, had 4 highly competitive schools. Ardnagrath N.S, Downs N.S, St. Brigid’s N.S and first time finalists Taghmon N.S battled out this group with the impressive side from Downs N.S coming out on top of the group with a 100% record and an impressive goal difference. All other 3 teams ended up on 3 points apiece with Ardnagrath N.S claiming the runner up spot by virtue of a superior goal difference.
The ‘B’ Cup again proved to be a tense affair with 4 teams involved in this section. St. Oliver Plunketts, St. Colemans Gainstown N.S, Dean Kelly N.S and Curraghmore N.S played in a really tight and competitive group with the decision on who would top the group coming down to the last game between Athlones Dean Kelly and Gainstown from Mullingar. Both sides gave it their all with Dean Kelly just proving the stronger side and topping the group followed closely by the gallant Gainstown.
The ‘C’ Cup saw SPAR FAI Primary School 5s regulars St. Colmans Gainstown N.S joined by St. Marys Mullingar, Mullingar Educate Together National School and St. Marys Athlone. In another tight group St. Colmans Gainstown just pipped St. Marys Athlone much to the delight of 5s veteran coach, Kevin Smyth. Kevin is due to retire from teaching this year and he will be sorely missed by all as he has been a great supporter to the competition for many years.
The Girls ‘A’ Cup was contested by Ballinagore N.S, Milltown N.S, Ardnagrath N.S and St. Brigid’s N.S with last year’s winners Milltown N.S unable to hold onto their crown. It was left to the girls from Ardnagrath N.S to go one better than their boys team and top the group, followed closely by an equally impressive Ballinagore side.
The Girls ‘B’ Cup turned out to be the tightest group of the 6 sections with Raharney N.S, Baylin N.S, St.Colemans Gainstown and Curraghmore N.S involved. At the end of the group games the girls from Raharney N.S and Baylin N.S were locked on 7 points apiece. As per competition rules, head to head result came into play first but the teams had drawn their head to head game. The next count back is goal difference and unfortunately for the girls from Baylin N.S they had an inferior goal difference to Raharney N.S which meant Raharney N.S were crowned county champions.
The Girls ‘C’ Cup was contested by St. Colmans N.S and St. Etchen’s Kinnegad who both had two teams each in the finals group. St. Etchens topped the group on maximum points by virtue of beating their school mates 3-1 in the opening game.
The winners will now progress to the North Leinster Finals on April 21st in the MDL Grounds, Trim Road, Navan Co. Meath.
The SPAR FAI Primary School 5s competition has been in existence since the mid 1990’s and saw nearly 20,000 participants from 1,069 schools involved last season. The competition is run across six divisions, ensuring that schools of all sizes are catered for. Depending on their size a school can enter several teams into the competition. Boys and girls are encouraged to play together but there is a separate competition for boys and girls dependent on school enrolment numbers.
Fergus McDaid, Secretary of FAI Schools stated, “This is our second year with title sponsors SPAR and the competition is expanding year on year. The support shown by SPAR ensured this grassroots initiative really supports Westmeath’s local talent. The event encourages children to become involved in soccer at an early age and emphasizes the fun aspect of the sport. FAI Schools are delighted to be hosting the Finals on Wednesday, May 11 in Aviva Stadium, something which the children will relish I’m sure.”
Anne Gallagher, SPAR Marketing Manager said, “This is a great opportunity for SPAR to support the local community in Westmeath and encourage children to be more active and participate in sport in a fun and competitive way. As a community based retailer, SPAR encourages a healthy and active lifestyle and is proud to be a supporter of primary schools’ soccer in association with the FAI.
No doubt the teachers will be putting in plenty of match practice before the next stage of qualifying as they keep an eye on the ultimate prize... best of luck to all involved. “
Follow the action on social media via #SPAR5s or at www.faischools.ie and www.spar.ie.
ENDS
SPAR FAI Primary School 5s Competition
Schedule of Events
REGIONAL
Mid Leinster: April 13, Portlaoise AFC, Laois (Offaly, Laois, Kildare, Kilkenny)
North Leinster: April 21, MDL Grounds, Trim Road, Navan, Meath (Louth, Meath, Westmeath, Longford)
South Leinster: April 21, Bunclody AFC, Wexford (Wexford, Wicklow, Carlow)
PROVINCIAL
Ulster Final: April 21, Lakeside, Aileach FC, Burnfoot, Inishowen, Donegal
Munster Final: April 20, Ferrybank AFC, Waterford
Connacht Final: April 27, Milebush Park, Castlebar, Mayo
Leinster Final: April 28, MDL Grounds, Trim Road, Navan, Meath
NATIONAL
SPAR FAI Primary School 5s National Finals: May 11, Aviva Stadium, Dublin
For more information:
Jennifer Kelly, PSG Sponsorship – Jennifer.Kelly@psgsponsorship.ie / 085 1076806
Scott Graham, PSG Sponsorship – Scott.Graham@psgsponsorship.ie / 086 3687548
Diane Fay, FAI Schools - Diane.Fay@fai.ie / 086 0404 952
Jennifer Kelly
PSG Sponsorship, Sponsorship Agency of the Year
Sponsorship Strategy & Activation
Cranford House, Montrose,
Donnybrook, Dublin 4.
E: Jennifer.kelly@psgsponsorship.ie
M:+353 851076806
T:+353 1 634 2565
Registered Office: PSG Communications Limited, Cranford House, Montrose, Donnybrook, Dublin 4. Registered in Ireland: No. 92844
