Ireland’s stars of the future entertained crowds in the stadium as the biggest and best competition in the 2014 primary school’s soccer calendar came to its climax.

The Road to the Aviva began in March as 18,208 children in 1,038 primary schools nationwide competed in county and regional qualifiers and then on to Provincial Finals before the 160 players made it to yesterday’s finals at the Stadium.

From their arrival through the player’s entrance, to the dressing rooms, to the top notch pitch, the kid’s enjoyed the same VIP treatment as their international heroes thanks to Aviva Health. The event was a family fun day focused on providing participants and spectators with huge excitement and entertainment, making it a day to remember for all involved.

The teams and families were entertained by a Samba band on the day along with DJ Dara Quilty from Spin 103.8, mascots for each province and some face painting for the crowds in the Stadium. 

Everyone’s a winner in this competition, with all of the participants receiving an Umbro kit, participation certificate and Aviva Health commemorative medal for their participation in this year’s National Finals.

The finals catered for different sized schools, “A” Schools and Girls “A” Schools for small sized schools. Medium sized schools featured in the “B” Schools section, and finally “C” Schools accommodated the large schools section.

160 participants from 15 counties competed to be crowned  Aviva Health FAI Primary Schools All Ireland champions yesterday, with Roscommon, Monaghan, Galway, Donegal and Dublin emerging as overall winners.

Schools from Roscommon (2), Limerick (2), Donegal (2), Galway (2), Monaghan (2), Meath (1), Cavan (1), Westmeath (1), Mayo (1), Tipperary (1), Louth (1), Tipperary (1), Dublin (1), Carlow (1) and Cork (1) fought it out in their respective categories for this prestigious title

Out of the twenty schools participating, three made a welcome return. Lisaniskey NS, Roscommon who competed in the ‘A’ Schools came third in the competition 12 months previously with Colin Walsh, Aaron Grant, James Fitzpatrick and Evan Keane all returning.  Monastery NS, Ardee, Louth were reigning All Ireland Champions in the ‘B’ Schools section with Darragh McCoy, Jonathan Commins and Tom Jackson all eligible again for Jim McGee’s side. Summerhill NS, Athlone came runners up last year in the Girls ‘A’ Schools with Angelina De Rosa back with Gerry McHugh’s crew.

Mr. Seán Carr, Chairman of FAI Schools said; “This is our second year with title sponsors Aviva Health and we’re delighted with the support given to grassroots football as the competition goes from strength to strength. The memories created from the Aviva experience will stay with these players for a lifetime. The future is definitely bright from what we saw from the level of skill displayed by the girls and boys in the Aviva on Wednesday”.

Alison Burns MD of Aviva Health said; “This has been a fantastic year for the Aviva Health FAI Primary School 5’s because we’ve seen even more kids and teachers getting involved.  The earlier we can encourage children to get & stay active, the fewer health problems these children should face in later life and hopefully they’ll also develop a lifelong love of sport and physical activity.   Aviva Health was delighted to welcome all the finalists to Aviva Stadium to give them the chance to play on the same pitch as their heroes.  We saw some great matches and some excellent young players who will hopefully be back here again in the Irish colours in the coming years.”

Boys A schools

Lisaniskey NS, Roscommon made history by winning the Schools ‘A’ Section in the small schools division in the first of five sections.

Noel Dervan’s side were making only their second All Ireland appearance in the Aviva after coming a modest third last season as they ensured a podium finish with two wins from three. The Roscommon lads drew their first game in the series with a 10 goal thriller against Cavan star’s Butlersbridge NS.
They found their form in the second game with a nice 6-3 win over Limerick’s Granagh NS. Their day was topped off with a similar score against Meath youngster’s St. Finian’s of Killyon.

It was fitting that James Fitzpatrick was named as Player of the Tournament following an excellent outing for the Lisaniskey youngster.

Teams

Lisaniskey NS, Roscommon (CONNACHT): Erin Coyne, Aaron Grant, Colin Walsh, James Fitzpatrick, Cormac Regan, Evan Keane, Conor Earley, Ryan Davies
Teachers: Noel Dervan, Enda Keane

Granagh NS, Limerick (MUNSTER): Denis Sheehy, Seán Murphy, William O'Regan, Shane Collins, MJ Purtill, Eoin Enright, James Stapleton, Jamie O'Donovan
Trainers: Jimmy Sheehy & Seamus Murphy

St. Finian’s NS, Killyon, Meath (LEINSTER): Stefan Holzner, Cian Brennan, James Clarke, Shane Clarke, Cathal McKeon, Harry Smyth, Dennis Darby, Jack Hevey
Teacher: Máire Hegarty, Coach: Stephen Clarke

Butlersbridge NS, Cavan (ULSTER): Conor Maguire, Cathal Leddy, Fionntáin O'Reilly, Kevin McPhillips, Patrick McPhillips, Michael Sheridan, Christian Elliott, David Emmo
Teachers: Niall Clerkin & Kevin Tierney

RESULTS

12.00 - Granagh NS (3) v St Finian's (&)

12.30 - Butlersbridge (5) v Lisaniskey (5)

1.00 - Granagh NS (3) v Lisaniskey (6)

1.30 - Butlersbridge (8) v St Finian's (4)

2.00 - Granagh NS (3) v Butlersbridge (3)

2.30 - St Finian's (3) v Lisaniskey (6)

Winner - Lisaniskey NS, Roscommon

Runner up - Butlersbridge NS, Cavan

3rd - St Finian's NS, Killyon, Meath

4th - Granagh NS, Limerick

Player of the tournament - James Fitzpatrick, Lisaniskey NS, Roscommon

Girls A schools

The ‘A’ Girls Schools was captured by Scoil Cholmcille, Greencastle, Inishowen, Donegal with Thomas Lake’s side gaining a clean sweep of victories in their category. The Ulster kingpins were averaging five goals per game and ensured the silverware much to the delight of their travelling support party.  

Kate McClenaghan, Scoil Cholmcille, Greencastle merited the Player of the Tournament in this section with a wonderful display in the Aviva.

Teams

Holy Family NS, Newport, Mayo (CONNACHT): Mary McLoughlin, Tara-Ann McNulty, Tara Dunleavy, Hannah Chambers, Maria Cannon, Louise Sheridan, Niamh Mulroy, Eleanor Chambers
Teacher:  Kevin O'Malley & Coach: Micheál Mulroy

Rathkeevin NS, Tipperary (MUNSTER): Aoibhín Foley, Jessica Redfern, Anna Tobin, Cailín Napier, Caoimhe Mulcahy, Ella Traas, Kim Shaw, Robyn O’Flynn
Teachers: Stephen Doody & Pat O’Brie

Scoil Phadraig, Milltown, Westmeath (LEINSTER): Chloe Molloy, Tara Gunning, Aoife Kenny, Emma Ballesty, Clodagh Dillon, Caitlin Kiernan, Sarah Murtagh, Molly Broughton
Teachers: John Gordon, Michael Dillion

Scoil Cholmcille, Greencastle, Inishowen, Donegal (ULSTER): Fiona McLaughlin, Clare Brown, Niamh McDonald, Kate McClenaghan, Kerry Brown, Connie Price, Tammy Gallagher, Caoimhe Price
Teachers: Thomas Lake & Emma McAteer

RESULTS

12.00 - Scoil Phadraig(1) v Holy Family(2)

12.30 - Rathkeevin (0) v Scoil Choilmchille (6)

1.00 - Scoil Phadraig (2) v Scoil Choilmchille (5)

1.30 - Rathkeevin (3) v Holy Family (0)

2.00 - Scoil Phadraig (2) v Rathkeevin (3)

2.30 - Holy Family (2) v Scoil Cholmchille (4)

Winner - Scoil Cholmcille, Greencastle, Donegal

Runner up - Rathkeevin NS, Tipperary

3rd - Holy Family NS, Newport, Mayo

4th - Scoil Phadraig, Milltown, Westmeath

Player of the tournament - Kate McClenaghan, Scoil Cholmcille, Greencastle, Inishowen, Donegal