The Leitrim Finals of the FAI Schools 5-a-side Primary Schoolscompetition had a pulsating finale at Leitrim Village Community Field on Tuesday 27th March. The competition caters for boys and girls with the emphasis on small sided games played on reduced sized pitches and using goals suited to the children’s size. On a fantastic sunny day all the schools and players served up a feast of football with goals, upsets and surprises along the way as a total of 46 teams took part in this year’s event as 370 children got to sample the delights of the beautiful game.
The event was organised and run by FAI/Leitrim County Council Development Officer for Leitrim Damon Kearney. 2011 was a special year for soccer in the North-West with Sligo Rovers flying the flag as they captured FAI Cup again, represented Ireland in the UEFA Europa League and finished runner’s up to Champions Shamrock Rovers in the Airtricty League. Both the FAI Cup added to the glamour of the occasion as Keith O'Dywer Sligo Rovers Club Promotion Officer was on hand to show off the silverware that ended another great year for soccer in the North West in 2011 along the Irish Daily Mail Fan Van who came along to show their support for the Boys In Green.
The ‘A’ Cup Section was played out in the wonderful grounds of Leitrim Community Pitch, Leitrim Village. 14 teams came together to fight for the chance to progress onto the Connaught Finals. One Group of 4 and two groups of 5 was the order of the day with the with the group winners in each group along with best runner up progressing on to the semi-finals.
On what turned out to be a fantastic day, the football side of things more than matched the occasion with all teams matching their skill with great spirits.
In Group OneCarrigallen NS domination the proceedings and they would prove hard to stop as they run out groups winners undefeated scoring plenty of goals along the way. Group Two winners Drumkerran NS surprised everyone as they provided great entertainment as they seen off the challenges before them including previous 'A' winners St Mary's NS, with plenty of goals. Group Three saw a determent effort from St Hugh’s NS, Dowra overcome Diffreen NS to take first place in the group. Diffreen NS then Qualified for semi-finals after seeing off challenge of Aughawillian NS for best runner up spot.
The semi-finals saw some cracking games as the players on display gave it all to get their school into the final. Carrigallen NS showed their class again with a win over Drumkerran NS whose spirited display couldn’t stop the Carrigallen side going through. The second semi-final St. Hugh’s NS and Diffreen in a North Leitrim local derby provided a very close contest with very little between the two sides throughout the game. The Diffreen after being beaten semi-finalist the past two years managed to pull out the win in the end as it really could have gone either way.
The final left two teams who provided plenty of goals along the way face up against each as Carrigallen NS met Diffreen NS. In an entertaining final, with some lovely football being played it was Diffreen who ran out winners but the odd goal in the end after Carrigallen found it tough after a difficult semi-final. Diffreen NS were worthy winners as they played good football throughout the competition.
The ‘B’ Cup Section 14 teams took to the field in hope of progressing further in the competition.
All three groups were keenly contested with a lot of skill being displayed on the pitch, but it was Four Masters NS, Kinlough who emerged as winners in Group One with Fenagh NS finished first in Group Two and Mohill NS coming out ofGroup Three as winners. Gaelscoile Carrick made the semi final as the best placed runner up.
The semi-finals saw Mohill NS at their clinical best to see off the challenge of Four Masters NS in a highly entertaining encounter.
In the other semi-final, it was Fenagh NS against the boys from Gaelscoile Carrick NS. This looked like a close contest before the game started and proved to be the case in which both teams competing well but was Fenagh NS who held their nerve to seal the win.
The final was going to be a close affair with some talented players on both side as Mohill NS and Fenagh NS teams battled it out to represent Leitrim in the Connaught Finals. Some excellent football was displayed from both sides as the play went from one end to the other and indeed it was Mohill NS who came out 2-1 winners with two brilliant finishes on the counter attack.
In the Girls ‘A’ Cup showcased some great games and some very talented teams and footballers. 14 teams came together to fight for the chance to progress on the Connaught Finals.
One Group of 4 and two groups of 5 In a closely fought groups with all teams’ seemly taking points off one another it was Aughawillan who finished top of Group One with Fenagh NS in Group Two and the Gaelscoile Carrick topping Group Three.
The final itself turned out to be an epic. Two talented teams in the Gaelscoile Carrick and Aughawillian provided great entertainment to the watching crowd as they played some fantastic football.
It was close game, with the play going from one end to the other as each team tried to gain the upper hand. The woodwork, loose misses, brave defending and some fantastic goalkeeping meant neither side could be separated. Gaelscoile Carrick pulled away to win in the end, a cruel blow to Aughawillan who performed so well all day but well done to both teams for putting on such an entertaining display. In the Girls “B” competition St. Patrick’s NS, Drumshanbo overcame the challenge of Marist NS in the Final 3-0 after remaining unbeaten in the group stages. It was a skilful display as the girls from Drumshanbo took their chances well when they presented themselves.
FAI/Leitrim County Council Community Development Officer Damon Kearney would like to thank all the schools who took part and compliment all the teachers and mentors for the great sporting behaviour displayed by all the children on and off the field.
A big thank you to Leitrim Community Pitch Committee for the use of the facilities and to all the referees who done a fantastic job throughout. Congratulations to all the winners who will now represent Leitrim in the upcoming Connaught Finals on May 16th in the Shiven Rovers FC in Newbridge, Co Galway. Good luck to all!
FAI ‘A’ Cup Winners 2011 Diffreen NS
FAI ‘B’ Cup Winners 2011 Mohill NS
FAI Girls ‘A’ Cup Winner 2011 Gaelscoile Liotroma
FAI Girls ‘B’ Cup Winner 2011 St Patrick’s NS, Drumshanbo