Solar21 Park, Castlebar, Co Mayo will play host to
the Connacht Finals of the SPAR FAI Primary School 5s Programme on the 9th of
May. The SPAR FAI Primary Schools 5s Programme is the largest programme of its
kind in Ireland with 36,616 boys and girls from around the country vying for
qualification to the National Finals in the AVIVA Stadium on May 29th.
Connacht schools have
been to the fore in the competition with just over 400 signing up to the 2019
edition of the programme. Mayo’s Belcarra NS and Galway’s
Scoil Iosaif Naofa were runners up in last year’s national finals at the Aviva
Stadium.
Over 6,626 students across Connacht have taken part
in qualification events for small, medium and large schools, however, the
provincial final will see just 6 schools progress to the next stage, the
national finals in the Aviva Stadium.
Salthill Devon FC, Drom Soccer Park, Rahoon played
host to the Galway Finals of the SPAR FAI Primary School 5s Programme on the 2nd
of May.
The ‘A’ Cup, open to boys and/or mixed teams from
small schools, had 4 passionate schools with Tuairini triumphant in what was a
thrilling contest edging past Doorus.
The ‘B’ Cup, for medium sized schools, again proved
to be a compelling division with 4 teams involved. The division was eventually won
by Cregmore who proved a little too strong over a talented Mountbellew side.
The ‘C’ Cup, for large schools, was another hard-fought
contest between 4 very talented schools. St John’s, Knocknacarra eventually
came out on top of the large school’s division with a gallant St Michaels,
Mervue in 2nd place.
Tuairini, Cregmore, St John’s and St Michaels will
now progress to the Connacht Finals on May 9th in Castlebar, Co Mayo.
The rise in the number of girls putting boot to ball
has been particularly pleasing for sponsors, SPAR, as 42% of participants are
now female. Participation in the girl’s division of the SPAR FAI Primary
Schools 5s Programme reached an all-time high this year with 15,344 4th, 5th
and 6th class girls registered making it more competitive than ever.
The Girls ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ Cup finals were held on the
2nd of May where there was a fantastic atmosphere throughout the competition.
In the Girls ‘A’ Cup, for small schools, Newtown
took the honours in a really exciting and hard-fought division with Letterfrack
in 2nd place.
In the Girls ‘B’ Cup Final, for medium sized
schools, Clarinbridge sealed qualification to the next stage after they
overcame a tough challenge from New Inn.
Scoil Iognaid school put in a fine display against Scoil
Ide school to win the Girls ‘C’ Cup division for large schools with both
progressing to the Connacht Finals. Scoil Iognaid finished off the tournament
with a 1 goal win and look in fine form heading into the Connacht Finals.
Colin Donnelly, SPAR Sales Director said, “The SPAR
5s is a programme we are very proud of, that, as its essence, encourages
children to get involved in sport and develop a love for football and physical
activity and perfectly complements our SPAR Better Choices message. SPAR has
more than 400 high quality, conveniently located outlets spread across the
country who are equally as enthusiastic about this programme. SPAR local
retailers across Connacht have been active in supporting the programme which
has reached new heights this year and we look forward to seeing Connacht
based schools competing in the National Finals!”
Follow the action on social media via #SPAR5s or at www.faischools.ie and www.spar.ie.
SPAR
FAI Primary School 5s Programme
SCHEDULE
OF EVENTS:
PROVINCIAL
Ulster Final: May 8th
Donegal League HQ, Ballyare, Co. Donegal
Connacht Final: May 9th
Solar21 Park, Castlebar, Co. Mayo
Munster Final: May 14-15th Seanchoill
Sports Complex, Corbally, Limerick
Leinster Final: May 16th
MDL Grounds, Trim Road, Navan, Co. Meath
NATIONAL
National Final: May 29th
Aviva Stadium, Dublin
