Loreto Community School, Milford
THE curtain will finally come down on the FAI Post Primary Schools First Year Boys & Girls Futsal calendar this Thursday with a tantalizing National show-down in store. The event will take place in the impressive Waterford IT Arena, Carriganore
Schools from Kerry, Kilkenny, Galway and Donegal will contest the Girls section while Sligo, Donegal, Louth and Cork will all challenge for the crown in the Boys section.
The four girls Provincial finalists have created great excitement in their respective schools with their progression to the National stage. Pobalscoil Inbhear Scéine, Kenmare, Presentation Secondary School, Kilkenny, Claregalway College and Loreto Community School, Milford are all within striking distance of the silverware.
These schools are no strangers to schools football with Claregalway College girls winning the National Minor title last season.Likewise Presentation SS, Kilkenny were beaten finalists in the National Senior Cup in Waterford last year, missing out on the title to namesake Presentation SS, Thurles in a thrilling final. Newcomers Pobalscoil Inbhear Scéine and Loreto Milford will relish the occasion and have nothing to lose as they challenge for the honours this time out.
The boys draw will be a closely fought encounter with Summerhill College, Sligo, Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana, St. Mary’s Diocesan School, Drogheda and St. Francis College, Rochestown all bidding for glory.
Scoil Mhuire have been involved at this level before, coming third in 2011 in the Nationals. The Buncrana school also starred more recently in 2013 coming third place. Can Eoin Leonard and Vinnie Hegarty guide them to National success in 2016?
Futsal is said to be the world’s most played small sided sport with 25 million participants. The game is praised for the number of star footballers it has nurtured over the years. Therefore it’s not surprising to hear that Brazil is estimated to have more futsal players than football players. The two disciplines complement each another brilliantly.
Over 15,000 students have taken part in the FAI Schools futsal Initiative inside a three month period in Primary & Post Primary Schools throughout Ireland.
Seán Carr, Chairman, FAI Schools paid tribute to the enormous contribution of the FAI’s Regional Development Officers in overseeing the competitions at local level.
“The growth of the game within the schools structure can be attributed to the hard work being done at local level by the Development Officers as they play a vital role in the success of the initiative each year”.
GIRLS SECTION
Loreto Community School, Milford, Donegal (ULSTER): Orla Corry, Sinead McBride, Leah Afxentiou, Nadine Gallagher, Orla Gallagher, Edel McGettigan, Aisling McCormack, Aisling Green, Emily Pastor, Kelsey McAteer, Kate Sweeney
Teachers: Alison Stoddart & Nicola McGinley
BOYS SECTION
Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana, Donegal (ULSTER): Oran McBride, Shane Doherty, Bobby Bradley, Micheal McLaughlin, Jamie McDaid, Sean McCallion, Caolan Mullholland, Kevin Jordan, Gerry McKinney, Oran McLaughlin, James O’Hagan, Paul Mullan
Teachers: Eoin Leonard & Vinnie Hegarty
Scoil Mhuire Buncrana
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