Round-up: Inishowen side crowned champions as Donegal schools compete at Aviva

Gaelscoil Cois Feabhail netted a National title at the Aviva Stadium in the 2024 FAI Schools Primary 5s National Finals.

In winning the Boys’ A Cup,  the Moville school’s  Óisín Ó hÍr was also named Player of the Tournament. 

Oisín Ó hÍr of Gaelscoil Cois Feabhail with the section A, for small sized schools, player of the tournament award

Scoil Íosagáin, Buncrana;  Scoil Naomh Colmcille, Craigtown; Scoil Mhuire, Stranorlar; St. Eunan’s National School Raphoe, and Illistrin National School also took part on the day.

Boys’  ‘A’ Cup
Moville starlets Gaelscoil Cois Feabhail enjoyed three wins from three to claim the title in the small schools division with Óisín Ó hÍr named Player of the Tournament to add to their trophy tally.
In the opening game Scoil Moibhi lost out 2-4 to Limerick side Martinstown NS while the Inishowen players cruised to a 5-2 victory over Windfield NS with Sean MacCumhaill grabbing four.

Martinstown put the same past Windfield 5-2 in their next outing while Scoil Moibhi went down 2-4 to the Inishowen side.  Adam Lohan netted a hat-trick as well as Jason Halvey for Windfield to ensure the points over Scoil Moibhi, 4-2. While Gaelscoil Cois Feabhail enjoyed a 4-1 win against runners-up Martinstown. Windfield had to settle for third as Scoil Moibhi came fourth.

‘A’ Cup
Winner: Gaelscoil Cois Feabhail, Inishowen, Donegal
Runner Up: Martinstown NS, Limerick
Third: Windfield NS, Galway
Fourth: Scoil Moibhi, Dublin
Player of the Tournament: Óisín Ó hÍr Scoil Cois Feabhail, Inishowen, Donegal

Gaelscoil Cois Feabhail players celebrates after winning the section A cup, for mixed small sized schools, during the FAI Primary 5s Finals day at Aviva Stadium in Dublin

Results:
Scoil Moibhi 2-4 Martinstown NS
James Maguire (2), Sean Kelly (3), Ciaran Irwin

Windfield NS 2-5 Gaelscoil Cois Feabhail
Laurence Martyn, Adam Lohan  Sean Mac Cumhaill (4), Jack an Ghoill

Martinstown NS 5-2 Windfield NS
Sean MacCumhaill (4), Jack Mac an Ghoill Laurence Martyn, Adam Lohan

Scoil Moibhi 2-4 Gaelscoil Cois Feabhail
James Maguire, Ryan Clinton        Óisín Ó hÍr (4)

Windfield NS 4-2 Scoil Moibhi
Adam Lohan (3), Jason Halvey      Kyle Mellows, Ryan Clinton

Gaelscoil Cois Feabhail 4-1 Martinstown NS
Óisín Ó hÍr (2), Sean Mac, Callum Mac         Ciaran Irwin

Football for All Cup
With defending Champions, Scoil Eoin, Crumlin and last year’s runners up Scoil Íosagáin, Buncrana in this group, it ensured a tough task for fellow competitors St. Anne’s NS, Bailieborough who were runners up in Ulster this season as well as the surprise package from Munster, Limerick’s Catherine McAuley School.

The Limerick outfit got the perfect start to proceedings and shocked the Crumlin crew with a 3-0 victory in the opening contest. This set down a stern marker for the other teams.  Scoil Íosagáin were 4-0 winners over their Ulster rivals St. Anne’s.

Over the course of the action, Catherine McAuley dispensed of St. Anne’s to claim a second win on the bounce as well as Scoil Íosagain managing to build on their momentum with a win against the same opponents.

Scoil Íosagáin, Buncrana, Inishowen, Donegal, during the FAI Primary 5s Finals day at Aviva Stadium in Dublin

Scoil Eoin and Scoil Íosagáin dropped valuable points as a 101 draw was the finish of an entertaining encounter between them. Scoil Eoin went on to record a win against Bailieborough in the penultimate fixture.

In the final group game, Catherine McAuley ended in a 2-2 draw with the Buncrana side to ensure top spot for the Limerick debutants. Scoil Íosagáin should be happy with their performance - a win and two draws - with another runners up medal as Scoil Eoin came third and St. Anne’s a fourth place finish in their first outing at National level.  

Football for All
Winner: Catherine McAuley School, Limerick
Runner Up: Scoil Íosagáin, Buncrana, Donegal
Third: Scoil Eoin, Crumlin, Dublin
Fourth: St. Anne’s NS, Bailieborough, Cavan
Player of the Tournament: Sam Cusack, Catherine McAuley School, Limerick

Results
Scoil Eoin 0-3 Catherine McAuley
Sam Cusack (2), Cian Naughton (1)

St. Anne’s NS  0-4 Scoil Íoságain
Cillian Doherty (2) Eoin Hirrell (1) Danny Bradley (1)

Catherine McAuley 7-0 St. Anne’s NS
Paddy Joe Casey, Cian Naughton, Colm Lynch (2), Kaydyce Hughes, Tony Hartery (2)

Scoil Eoin 1-1 Scoil Íosagáin
Lennon O’Brien, Eoin Hirrell

St. Anne’s NS 2-9 Scoil Eoin
Michael Kerrigan, Abdulrahman Aluosh Killian Flanagan (6), Lennon O’Brien (2), Carl McNamara

Scoil Íosagáin 2-2 Catherine McAuley
Eoin Hirrell (2) Sam Cusack (2)

Girls ‘B’ Cup
Westport scholars Scoil Phádraig were hoping for a title defence in this section with half their team making another appearance at National level for Gerard Murphy’s team.

The group opened with both newcomers to this level of competition kicking off proceedings as Marshalstown overcame Burnfoot 4-1 to establish a led while defending Champions Scoil Phádraig saw off the Scoil Naomh Colmcille challenge 2-0.

Scoil Phádraig had a slender 3-2 victory over Burnfoot while Marshastown were comfortable winners over the Craigtown girls. The last two games, ended in draws with Scoil Phádraig and Marshalstown level at three apiece while Scoil Naomh Colmchille drew2-2 with the Cork students in a fabulous ending to both games.

The group had to be decided on a five minute play-off game which saw the deadlock remain at 3-3 so spot kicks ensued. Wexford starlets Marshalstown needed a sudden death penalty to win the contest 4-3. Jubilation for the Leinster Champions while it was heartbreak for the Westport side who came so close to matching the success story of twelve months ago.

The party continued for Marshalstown as Mia Wheland claimed the prestigious Player of the Tournament in a thrilling showpiece. Gallant in defeat, Scoil Phádraig picked up runners up spot, while Burnfoot netted third and Scoil Naomh Colmchille grabbed fourth.

Republic of Ireland's Jamie Finn and FAI President Gerry McAnaney with Scoil Naomh Colmcille, Donegal, after the ‘A’ Cup, for mixed small sized schools

Girls ‘B’ Cup
Winner: Marshalstown NS, Wexford
Runner Up: Scoil Phádraig, Westport, Mayo
Third: Burnfort NS, Cork
Fourth: Scoil Naomh Colmchille, Craigtown, Donegal
Player of the Tournament: Mia Whelan, Marshalstown NS, Wexford

Results
Marshalstown NS 4-1 Burnfort NS
Ella Ronan Casey (2), Mia Whelan (2) Laura O’Mullane

Scoil Phádraig 2-0 Scoil Naomh Colmchille
Sarah Reynolds, Violet O’Malley

Burnfort NS 2-3 Scoil Phádraig
Laura O’Mullane, Anna O’Mullane, Violet O’Malley, Saoirse Reynolds, Francesca Carvana

Marshalstown NS 7-3 Scoil Naomh Colmchille
Ella Roban Casey (2), Mia Whelan (5) Erin Hirrell, Kara Fallon, Ella Callaghan

Scoil Phádraig 3-3 Marshalstown NS
Saoirse Reynolds, Francesca Carcana (2)    Ella Robyn Casey (2), Wallis Ashmore

Scoil Naomh Colmchille 2-2 Burnfort NS
Kara Fallon, Emma Ruddy Laura O’Mullane, Anna O’Mullane             

Play-Off
Scoil Phádraig 0-0 Marshalstown NS

Penalty Shoot-Out
Marshalstown won 4-3 pens

Girls ‘C’ Cup
Dublin pupils Our Lady’s Grove played out a scoreless draw with the Ballincollig contingency while Moycullen’s Scoil Mhuire overcame their Stranorlar counterparts 3-0 to take an early advantage in the group.

Gaelscoil Uí Ríordáin produced a lovely display to defeat the Galway school 3-0 while Our Lady’s Grove were big winners against Stranorlar.

Another wonderful performance saw Lucy O’Carroll score the only goal of the game as Our Lady’s Grove beat Scoil Mhuire, Moycullen by a single goal.

Gaelscoil Uí Riordáin finished with a flourish as they enjoyed a slender 2-1 win against Scoil Mhuire B&C. With Our Lady’s Grove and Gaelscoil Uí Ríordáin level on points, the teams had to play a five minute play-off game to decide the winner. This proved fruitless as the penalty shoot-out was next.

The Dublin side held their never to win out 4-3 and claim the title while Hattie FARRELL grabbed the Player of the Tournament accolade for good measure. A runner up spot on the podium for Gaelscoil Uí Ríordáin while Scoil Mhuire, Moycullen came third and Scoil Mhuire B&C, Stranorlar picked up fourth. 

Scoil Mhuire B&C, Stranorlar, Donegal, during the FAI Primary 5s Finals day at Aviva Stadium in Dublin

Girls ‘C’ Cup
Winner: Our Lady’s Grove PS, Dublin
Runner Up: Gaelscoil Uí Ríordáin, Cork
Third: Scoil Mhuire, Moycullen, Galway
Fourth: Scoil Mhuire B&C, Donegal

Player of the Tournament:  Hattie Farrell, Our Lady’s Grove PS, Dublin

Results
Our Lady’s Grove PS 0-0 Gaelscoil Uí Ríordáin

Scoil Mhuire 3-0 Scoil Mhuire B&C
Lilly Griffin, Leah McLoughlin (2)

Gaelscoil Uí Ríordáin 3-0 Scoil Mhuire
Emily Ni Dhonnahnáin (2), Aoibhinn McGearailt

Our Lady’s Grove PS 5-0 Scoil Mhuire B&C
Freya Field (4), Hattie Farrell

Scoil Mhuire 0-1 Our Lady’s Grove PS
Lucy O’Carroll

Scoil Mhuire B&C 1-2 Gaelscoil Uí Ríordáin
Jenna Ni Dhuain, Aoife Ni Mhadin Caoimhe Sleigh

Play-Off
Our Lady’s Grove PS 0-0 Gaelscoil Uí Ríordáin

Penalty Shoot-Out
Our Lady’s Grove PS won 4-3 pens

 ‘B’ Cup
St. Eunan’s NS Raphoe were gunning for a title defence.

Meath’s Kentstown went down 4-5 to a last minute winner from Kinsale in a hugely entertaining nine goal thriller. While Westport’s Scoil Phádraig dispatched St. Eunan’s 5-2 to cause an upset to the defending Champions. 

Gaelscoil Choinn tSáile showed their class with a fine performance against Westport to take all three points on offer while Kentstown got their first win dashing St. Eunan’s title ambitions.

A brilliant game in the penultimate decider saw Scoil Phádraig and Kentstown play out a 3-3 draw while Gaelscoil Choinn tSáile overcame the Raphoe side in the last group game.

With Gaelscoil Chionn tSáile winning the group, we needed a play-off game to decide the runner up spot as Scoil Phádraig and Kentstown were level on points and their head to head. Scoil Phádraig needed penalties to see past the Meath men as they won out 3-2 on spot kicks.

It was no surprise when Gaelscoil Choinn tSáile talismans Tom O’Caoimh was announced as Player of the Tournament.

St Eunan’s NS, Raphoe, Donegal, during the FAI Primary 5s Finals day at Aviva Stadium in Dublin

‘B’ Cup
Winner:  Gaelscoil Choinn tSáile, Cork
Runner Up: Scoil Phádraig, Westport, Mayo
Third: Kentstown NS, Meath
Fourth: St. Eunan’s NS, Raphoe, Donegal

Player of the Tournament: Tom O’Caoimh, Gaelscoil Choinn tSáile, Cork

Results
Kentstown NS 4-5 Gaelscoil Choinn tSáile
Oisin Melia (2), Mossie Gillic (2), Cian Diúc (3) Tom O’Caoimh (2)

Scoil Phádraig 5-2 St. Eunan’s NS
Mounir Soufan, David Hajdu (2), Artem Salantii (2), Lewis Quinn, Jayden Laird

Gaelscoil Choinn tSáile 7-3 Scoil Phádraig
Cian Diúc, Tom O’Caoimh (5), Stiofan Barlow,          Mounir Soufan (2), David Hajdu

Kentstown NS 5-3 St. Eunan’s NS
Eoghan Hosey (2), Oisin Melia (2), Mossie Gillic        Lewis Quinn (3)

Scoil Phádraig 3-3 Kentstown NS
Artem Salantii, Davi Hadju, Ruairi Browne Mossie Gillic (2), Oisin Melia

St. Eunan’s NS 2-5 Gaelscoil Choinn tSáile
Lewis Quinn, Jayme Lafferty         Tom O’Caoimh (2), Jeaic MacCarthaigh, Cian Diúc (2)

Second/Third Play-Off
Scoil Phádraig 0-0 Kenstown NS

Penalty Shoot-Out
Scoil Phádraig won 3-2 pens

‘C’ Cup
Another pulsating conclusion to the large schools division with Beaumont BNS and St. Declan’s NS, Ashbourne locked on seven points apiece following their three group games. 
The five minute play-off game ended goalless so this saw Cork prevail 3-1 on penalties to take the title win.

The opening game proved crucial with the top two playing out an incredible 3-3 draw while Illistrin ran out 4-3 winners in an engaging encounter with St. Joseph’s of Ballinrobe.

Beaumont knocked St. Joseph’s confidence further as they saw them off 3-1 while St. Declan’s made good against Donegal’s Illistrin 5-1.

Ashbourne found form with a nice victory over the Connacht Champions while Beaumont had another solid display against the Donegal students to win out 3-1.

Some consolation on losing out on top spot was Patrick TOTH’s award for Player of the Tournament for the St. Declan’s student.

‘C’ Cup
Winner:  Beaumont BNS, Blackrock, Cork
Runner Up: St. Declan’s NS, Ashbourne, Meath
Third:  Illistrin NS, Donegal
Fourth: St. Joseph’s PS, Ballinrobe, Mayo

Player of the Tournament:  Patrick Toth, St. Declan’s NS, Ashbourne, Meath

Results
St. Declan’s NS 3-3 Beaumont BNS
Kieran Stack, Tadhg Quirke, Sean Connolly James O’Donoghue, Cian Doran, Patrick Tobh

St. Joseph’s PS 3-4 Illistrin NS
Cealan O’Brien, Fionn Jennings, Ethan Buchanan (3), Stephen McShane

Beaumont BNS 3-1 St. Joseph’s PS
Kieran Stack (3),               Cealan O’Brien

St. Declan’s NS 5-1 Illistrin NS
Cian Doran (3), Patrick Toth (2) Ethan Buchanan

St. Joseph’s PS 1-7 St. Declan’s NS
Finn Jennings, James O’Donoghue Hernandez, Patrick Toth (3), Cian Doran, Liam O’Connell, Callum Sloan

Illistrin NS 1-3 Beaumont BNS
Ethan Buchanan, Tadhg Quirke, Kieran Stack (2)

Play-Off
Beamount BNS 0-0 St. Declan’s NS

Penalty Shoot-Out
Beaumont won 3-1 pens

This year the programme featured 2,025 schools with a total of 42,064 children participating which was a new record for the Primary 5s Programme, that has been in existence since the mid 1990s.

The 28 qualifying teams from 27 schools have come through four months of fun filled nationwide activity. The journey began with their local County events, Regional and / or Provincial qualifiers to reach this stage of the competition with huge excitement at the climax of the competition.

224 children were lining out on the same surface that hosted the recent UEFA Europa League Final last week as well as the upcoming Women’s and Men’s International fixtures, with a remarkable standard of football on display.