Sligo students show their class
THE Showgrounds ,Sligo Rovers F.C played host to the Sligo County Final of the SPAR FAI Primary School 5s Programme on Wednesday 18th April.
The SPAR FAI Primary Schools 5s Programme has seen participation figures grow year on year to become the largest primary schools’ competition in the country. 136 students from 17 schools participated in the Sligo County Final with just 4 schools progressing to the provincial finals.
The ‘A’ Cup, open to boys and/or mixed teams from small schools, had 5 passionate schools with the final between the talented Mullaghroe NS team and Ardkeeran NS team. Ardkeeran NS triumphed in what was a thrilling contest.
The ‘B’ Cup, for medium sized schools, again proved to be a compelling division with 4 teams involved.
The final was eventually decided in extra time where Scoil Ursula proved a little too strong over a talented Scoil Naomh Eanna NS side.
The winners will now progress to the Connacht Finals on 3rd May in Castlebar.
Participation in the girl’s division of the SPAR FAI Primary Schools 5s Programme reached an all-time high this year with 12,832 4th, 5th and 6th class girls registered.
The Girls ‘A’ and ‘B’ Cup finals were also held on Wednesday 18th April in The Showgrounds where there was a fantastic atmosphere throughout the competition.
In the Girls ‘A’ Cup, for small schools, Scoil Realt Na Mara defeated Dromore West Central NS in a really exciting and hard-fought match.
In the Girls ‘B’ Cup Final, for medium sized schools, Rathcormac NS sealed qualification to the next stage after they overcame a tough challenge from St John’s NS Ballisodare.
The SPAR FAI Primary School 5s Programme competition has been in existence since the mid 1990’s and has 31,728 participants from 1,528 schools involved this year. 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.