Kilbeg NS crowned Leinster champions
Kilbeg NS Girls won their first Leinster title in style on Wednesday last to reach this year's National finals of the FAI Primary 5s at the Aviva Stadium on 9th June, writes Paul Holland.
The north Meath school have made amazing progress over the last three years in the Girls small schools section, as Meath runners-up in 2024, Meath champions in 2025 and now Meath, North Leinster and Leinster champions in 2026.
Kilbeg started off in the Leinster finals with a resounding win over Dublin champions, Scoil Baile Falbach (Lusk). Midfield maestro Abbie Jackson scored four goals, captain Una Uradnikova scored two and goalkeeper Hazel O'Connor scored a top class free kick to triumph 7-1.
With three points in the bag, the girls continued to fly high with a second impressive win against Carlow champions Bagenalstown. Again Abbie Jackson looked a class apart with four more well taken goals and Una Uradnikova polished off a convincing 5-0 win with a sublime strike from distance.
The girls played expansive football with 'keeper Hazel O’Connor assisting for three of the five goals and Kayla Weldon and Caoimhe Traynor holding firm in defence.
As in the North Leinster finals, the decider came down to the final game with both Kilbeg NS and Kileen NS (Offaly) even on six points each.
The game lived up to its decider status with both teams fighting for every ball and having to dig deep to hold the other at bay.
Eventually Kilbeg edged the game 3-2 with Abbie Jackson again scoring two and Una Uradnikova grabbing the third, sparking wild celebrations for the huge travelling support.
Michaela Carolan Robertson, Kayla Farrelly and Kate Crosby all played their part in Kilbeg's historic run.
The experience over the last three years proved to be crucial for Ronan O'Connor's charges in getting across the line to win the Leinster title and reach the National finals.
Kilbeg - Hazel O'Connor, Kayla Weldon, Caoimhe Traynor, Abbie Jackson, Una Uradnikova, Kate Crosby, Michaela Carolan Robertson, Kayla Farrelly.