Nenagh CBS Primary heading to the Aviva
COLLEGE CORINTHIANS AFC, CORK hosted this year’s SPAR FAI Primary School 5s Munster Finals from Tuesday, May 9 to Friday, May 12.
The SPAR5s programme saw an impressive 28,576 children participate this year. The competition has been running since the mid 1990’s, the event is more popular than ever with an impressive 1,495 schools involved in 2017.
The competition is run across six divisions, ensuring that schools of all sizes are catered for. Boys and girls are encouraged to play together but there is a separate competition for boys and girls dependent on school enrolment numbers.
This season we had an array of County winners with Tipperary and Cork both capturing two Munster titles as well as one apiece for Limerick and Clare.
Little Flower NS Ballytarsna (Tipperary), Ballyea NS (Clare), Scoil Niocláis Frankfield (Cork), Granagh NS (Limerick), Scoil An Athar Tadhg Carraig na bhFear (Cork) and Nenagh CBS (Tipperary) will all proudly wear the red of Munster in the National stages.
Fergus McDaid, Secretary of FAI Schools stated, “This is our third year with title sponsors SPAR and the competition has grown yet again and now firmly holds the title of the largest primary schools’ competition in the country. SPAR’s ongoing support, both nationally and at a local level, has ensured the ongoing success of the programme and given children an opportunity to get involved in a professionally-run, fun and inclusive programme. The programme encourages children to become involved in soccer at an early age and emphasizes the fun aspect of the sport. FAI Schools look forward to welcoming schools to the National Finals on Wednesday, May 31 in the Aviva Stadium, Dublin. We would also like to extend our thanks to all schools who have participated in 2017”.
Colin Donnelly, SPAR Sales Director said, “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. SPAR local retailers around the county have been getting behind the SPAR FAI Primary School 5s programme, which encourages children to get involved in soccer in a fun, safe and inclusive environment.”
Helen Summerville, SPAR Brand Manager and Barry Doyle, SPAR Regional Manager were present to see a wonderful competition superbly organised by the Munster Branch of FAI Schools with absolutely superb support from all the FAI Development Officers, brilliantly led by David Lenane. Secretary of FAI Schools, Fergus McDaid, was on home territory as he did tremendous work to ensure that everything went smoothly.
In Group 1 of Section ‘A’ Girls (small schools), Annagh NS (Clare) proved to be the strongest side winning both of their matches. They defeated Muinefliuch NS (Cork) 1-0 and Scoil Naomh ERC (Kerry) 4-2 to top the group and qualify for the semi-final. Muinefliuch NS took the other semi-final spot with a 6-4 victory over Scoil Naomh Erc.
Little Flower NS Ballytarsna (Tipperary) defeated St. Declan’s NS Ardmore (Waterford) 5-0 and Our Lady of Lourdes NS (Limerick) 2-1 to top Group 2 and qualify for the semi-finals. The Limerick girls beat St. Declan’s 4-0 to take the runners up place and also reach the semi-finals.
Both group winners continued their impressive play in the semi-finals with convincing victories.
Annagh NS defeated Our Lady of Lourdes NS 5-1 while Little Flower NS scored a powerful 8-1 victory over Muinefliuch NS.
Scoil Naomh Erc won the 5th/6th place play-off with a 5-1 victory over St. Declan’s NS.
Something had to give in the final. The Tipperary school Little Flower NS completely dominated the match and ran out very impressive 5-0 winners.
Group 1