Eight teams advance to Meath FAI Primary Schools final

Despite the atrocious baltic conditions of hail, sleet, wind and snow, last Friday’s section for large schools saw 34 boys teams battle it out in the Meath qualifiers of the FAI Primary 5s at the MDL all-weather pitches in Navan.

A total of 272 boys braved the wintry conditions in 56 games with eight teams advancing to the Meath finals on 17th April.

The eight successful teams who progressed on the day were St Colmcille’s Kells A, Duleek A, Laytown A (Scoil an Spiorad Naomh), St Declan’s Ashbourne A, St Declan’s Ashbourne B, Ratoath SNS A, St Paul’s Ratoath A and Cannistown A.

The other schools competing in this section on the day were various teams from Ashbourne Educate Together, Dunboyne SNS, Kilbride, Whitecross (Julianstown), St Michael’s Trim, St Stephen’s Johnstown, St Mary’s Ashbourne, St Paul’s Navan, St Patrick’s Stamullen, Realt na Mara (Donacarney) and St Nicholas Longwood.

Afterwards overall organiser Graham Kane (FAI Development Officer for Meath) was full of praise for the players, teachers, parents and in particular the Transition Year students from Ratoath Community College, Ashbourne Community School and Boyne Community School Trim for facilitating such a competitive tournament in the most difficult of weather conditions.

Duleek A were convincing winners of their group with three impressive wins, scoring 16 goals and conceding just one goal on the day.

Mark Malocca’s charges defeated StPaul’s Ratoath B 3-0, Dunboyne B 5-0 and Ashbourne Educate Together 4-1. Goals were shared between Kyle Finnegan, Rio Devlin, Charlie Cummins and Rían Power. Captain Michael McCormack was a tower of strength throughout with solid displays also from Daniel O’Connor, James Bourke and Jack Cadwell.

The boys from Scoil Bhríde Cannistown A won all three games to progress to the Meath finals next month. Cannistown, managed by Aisling McConnell, were outstanding in defeating St Mary’s Ashbourne B 3-0, St Paul’s Ratoath B 2-0 and Whitecross (Julianstown) B 4-2.

Oisín Reilly was superb between the sticks while Oisín Comiskey in defence was the backbone of the team. Cathal McCarthy, Jayden Lynam Crowe and Kyle Cassidy each played their part in a well organised defence while up front Cillian Carroll was outstanding when he scored some cracking goals. James Mullen and Cillian Kennedy showed great skill and determination in helping Cannsitown qualify for the finals.

The Kells boys, managed by Ciaran Bird, began impressively with wins over St Stephen’s Johnstown B 3-0 and Kilbride also by 3-0. However Colmcille’s had to pull out all the stops to see off the challenge of a skillful Realt na Mara A (Donacarney) in a thrilling encounter winning by 2-1. Goalkeeper Harry Harte was consistent and reliable between the sticks while Tadhg Morgan and Jack Farrell in defence were rock solid throughout. Up front there were terrific displays from Killian Madden, Cillian Dixon Ray, Rian Fagan and Dominikas Lomajevas. Senan Arkins was consistent throughout the three qualifying games.

Scoil an Spiorad Naomh (Laytown) A were impressive winners over neighbours Realt na Mara(Donacarney) by 3-0 and Ashbourne Educate Together by 4-0. However Laytown, managed by James Kavanagh, had to fight hard to overcome a gallant St Michael’s Trim A side by 4-3.The East Meath school secured their place in the county decider when they topped the group with a 0-0 draw against St Nicholas Longwood in their final game.

St Paul’s Ratoath reached the County finals after two impressive wins over Laytown B (2-0) and Whitecross A (3-0). Goalkeeper Aaron Somers was in inspired form in all three games. Defenders James Lane and Liam Godkin were solid throughout while Oscar Twyford, Matthew Meagher and Jack Ducie excelled in midfield. Strikers Noah McCabe and Adam Walsh chipped in with some great goals and were outstanding throughout.

Ratoath Senior National School A emulated the achievement of their local rivals St Paul’s A when they also qualified for the County finals. Ratoath SNS remained unbeaten on the day with three wins and a draw enough to see them through. Michael Deery’s charges overcame a brave Duleek B team by 2-0, St Michael’s Trim B by 5-0, St Patrick’s Stamullen by 5-2 and drew 2-2 with St Stephen’s Johnstown A. Goalkeeper Connor Doyle pulled off some crucial saves in a thrilling 2-2 draw against St Stephen’s while defenders Jamie Kelly, Kyle O’Reilly, Conor Byrne and Cian Flanagan were rotated well throughout. In attack Ratoath were well served by a combination of Ollie Coulter, Max Ryan and Michael Gannon.

St Declan’s Ashbourne A secured their place in the Meath finals by winning 4-1 against Ratoath SNS B team,3 -0 against Kilbride and 3-0 against local rivals St Mary’s Ashbourne A team. St Declan’s Ashbourne B also advanced as they beat St Colmcille’s Kells B by 3-2, Dunboyne SNS A team by 2-1 and drew 3-3 with St Paul’s Navan in a pulsating encounter.