Silver for Kentstown at National finals

PRIMARY 5s

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Max Kearns makes a great tackle during Kentstown’s appearance in the Aviva.

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Kai Phoenix celebrates scoring for Kentstown NS at the Aviva.

Published: Tue 24 Jun 2025, 11:49 AM

PAUL HOLLAND

The boys from Kentstown NS came agonisingly close to capturing the National title of the FAI Primary 5s at the Aviva Stadium played in glorious sunshine last Wednesday.

This was the second successive year for the Meath school to win County and Leinster titles and again make it all the way to the Aviva, when they finished third last year.

This time round the skilful Kentstown school produced a classy display in overcoming Munster champions Clonmoney NS (Clare) with a 2-0 win and were equally impressive in beating Connacht champions Cornafulla NS (Roscommon) by 4-1.

Austin Barry and Oisín Melia showed their experience from last year as both pulled the strings in midfield. However, despite a heroic effort from each of the eight squad members, Kentstown lost out in a thrilling encounter against Ulster champions, Scoil Bhríde, Mullaghrafferty from Monaghan.

In their opening game the Meath school took on Clonmoney NS. In the early exchanges, Kentstown's passing interplay provided goal scoring opportunities while Clonmoney's long throw tactic was proving troublesome.

It was Kentstown that took the lead through Kai Phoenix. Max Kearns then doubled the lead with a brilliant finish into the bottom left corner. That left the score at 2-0 at half time. In the second half, Kentstown put in a very professional display of intelligent football and defensive grit with 'keeper Tomás Melia outstanding in keeping a clean sheet. The game ended up 2-0 to the Leinster champions, much to the delight of their huge travelling support.

In the second game Sean McKiernan's charges took on Scoil Bhríde. Kentstown took the lead through Kai Phoenix but it was quickly cancelled out. Oisín Melia laid off a great pass to set up Kai Phoenix for his second goal of the game.

However, the Monaghan side again equalised before getting two more quick goals just before half-time to leave the score 4-2 in favour of Scoil Bhríde, at the break. Kentstown started the second half well with Oisín Melia pulling one back. However the Ulster Champions kept Kentstown at arm's length with another goal restoring their two goal advantage.

Kentstown didn't give up though as Kai Phoenix completed his hat-trick to make the score 5-4. As Kentstown pushed for an equaliser, a more physical Scoil Bhríde side caught them with a counter attack goal and then added a last minute goal from a corner to leave the final score 7-4 in favour of the well organised Monaghan side.

That left Kentstown having to beat Cornafulla NS, Roscommon to secure second place. Kentstown regrouped from their loss and exuded a sense of calmness and control from the off.

Dáire Griffin, Oisín Melia and Max Kearns all hit the back of the net in the first half as Austin Barry pulled the strings from the back. In the second half Dáire Griffin scored another goal to put Kentstown up 4-0.

Cornafulla struck back though to make the score 4-1. Cian Clarke and Cathal Cummins were sprung from the bench to add a bit of defensive steel and see the game out. And that they did, as Kentstown NS secured the runners-up spot, one place better than last year- an incredible achievement again.

They also had the added honour of their captain Austin Barry winning the Player of the Tournament award.