Schools show soccer skills
Ferrycarrig Park hosts finals
FERRYCARRIG PARK played host to the county final of the SPAR FAI Primary School 5s programme recently.
This programme has seen participation figures grow year-onyear to become the largest primary schools competition in the country. A total of 36,616 students from 1,691 schools are contesting the SPAR 5s this year, 2,510 of whom hail from Wexford’s 68 schools who entered.
Through a series of local qualification rounds, just six schools progressed from a hard-fought county final on to the provincial finals.
The ‘A’ Cup, open to boys and/or mixed teams from small schools, had four passionate schools, with the talented Ballyduff National school coming out on top in a thrilling group that also included St. Joseph’s N.S. (Donard), Screen N.S. and Clongeen N.S.
The ‘B’ Cup, for medium-sized schools, again proved to be a compelling division, with four teams involved.
The group was eventually won by St. John of God N.S. who had to wait until the final game was completed when Scoil Naomh Aine defeated Ballindaggin N.S. to confirm them as champions. The result of this game also gifted Ferns N.S. the runners-up position in an enthralling group.
The ‘C’ Cup, for large schools, was another hard-fought contest between Scoil Mhuire (Coolcotts) and Bunscoil Rís (New Ross).
Bunscoil Rís eventually came out narrowly on top of the large schools’ division, with Gorey Educate Together and St. Aidan’s P.S. also performing very well.
The winners will now progress to the Leinster finals on May 16 in Navan, Co. Meath.
The rise in the number of girls putting boot to ball has been particularly pleasing, as 40% of participants are now female.
In the girls’ ‘A’ Cup, for small schools, St. Fintan’s N.S. (Mayglass) continued their fine form in the competition, as last year’s All-Ireland finalists defeated all teams in their wake quite comprehensively.
Ballyhack N.S., St. Mary’s N.S. and Ballyroebuck N.S. put in valiant efforts against last year’s Leinster champions.
In the girls’ ‘B’ Cup final, for medium-sized schools, St. Brigid’s N.S. sealed qualification to the next stage after they overcame a tough challenge from Riverchapel N.S.
Our Lady of Lourdes, Kilmyshall N.S. and Scoil Naomh Aine also put in excellent performances.
Bunscoil Loreto (Gorey) put in a fine display against St. Aidan’s P.S. to progress from the girls’ ‘C’ Cup division for large schools.
Kennedy Park N.S. finished off the tournament with a draw against the eventual winners who looked in fine form heading into the Leinster finals.