Meath champions crowned at FAI Primary 5s finals

North Leinster deciders to be held in May

The Meath finals of the FAI Primary 5s took place last week on the all-weather pitches at the MDL Grounds in Navan and after an initial entry of a record 264 school teams, six teams now advance to the North Leinster finals on 29th April, Writes PAUL HOLLAND.

The girls from Kilbeg, Gaelscoil na Cille (Ashbourne) and St Joseph’s Mercy (Navan) have reached the next stage of the nationwide competition while the boys from Mount Hanover, Kilcloon and Ratoath SNS have also advanced to play their counterparts from Louth, Westmeath and Longford.

The winners from the North Leinster finals will progress to the Leinster finals at the MDL on 5th May while the National finals will take place at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on 27th May.

GIRLS LARGE SCHOOLS

St Joseph’s Mercy Navan won their first ever Meath title in emphatic fashion as they won all six games in the qualifying rounds and finished with a resounding 7-1 win over St Colmcille’s Kells in the final of the Girls section for large schools.

Top scorers and star players for Olan Lynch’s charges were Lily Dandy up front and Zara Skelly in midfield.

Goalkeeper Niamh Hegarty was commanding throughout the competition with Saoirse Power and Kendra Scuvie solid in defence. Substitutes Ria Daly Peters, Grace Lane and Ellie Dandy all played their part in the Navan school’s impressive displays.

Kells had impressed in the qualifiers, winning all of their five games with Caitlin Gavin, Grace Farrelly and Maggie Grimes the top goalscorers. 'Keeper and captain, Sadie Harte, pulled off some great saves,while Nessa Tinnelly excelled in midfield with great help from Meave Sheridan, Meave Arkins and Kate Timmins.

GIRLS MEDIUM SCHOOLS

Gaelscoil na Cille’s girls delivered a superb performance to claim their first Girls medium sized schools title much to the delight of teacher Ciarán Ó Fearraigh and the school’s huge travelling support. Saoirse Ní Longáin proved a reliable presence in goal throughout, while Sadhbh Nic Giolla Ruaidh and Quin Prouse formed a solid defensive partnership. In midfield, Georgia Ní Chatháin, Belle Ní Raghallaigh and Olivia Ní Mhórda dictated play with skill and composure, providing the platform for attackers Isabelle Nic Amhalaí and Ciara Ní Shúilleabháin. The girls overcame stern tests in the group stages, edging past Bohermeen and Kentstown, with the latter requiring extra time. In the final against a strong Coole side the Ashbourne school produced their best display, securing a deserved 2–0 victory.

Coole NS, managed by Louise Casssidy, won all their games in the qualifying rounds against Kilmessan, Curragha and Cannistown, keeping a clean sheet in the process. In the second round, Coole topped their group ahead of Gaelscoil Éanna and Kilcloon. A 2-1 win against Boyerstown followed with clinical finishing from Alice Foley and Éabha Maguire. A last-minute equalizer against Gaelscoil Thulach na nÓg from Robyn Dalton secured Coole’s place in the final. Others to impress were Izzy Breslin, Cadhla McCormack, Lucy Punch, Zoe Grogan and Kate Reilly.

GIRLS SMALL SCHOOLS

Kilbeg NS delivered an outstanding series of performances to retain the Girls small schools title for the second year in a row. The north Meath school opened with a dominant win over Heronstown, with Abbie Jackson scoring, assisted brilliantly by Una Uradnikova. A stronger second half from Heronstown tested the Kilbeg defence, but goalkeeper Hazel O’Connor, Michaela Carolan Robertson and Caoimhe Traynor held firm to keep a clean sheet. The second game against Mulhussey was much tighter and saw Abbie adding two more goals to her tally, while Una Uradnikova and Kayla Weldon stood out for their grit and determination. Kate Crosby also scored to help secure the win for Ronan O’Connor’s charges.

Moynalty, managed by Aaron Browne, produced a classy display in their first two games as they beat Mulhussey and Heronstown with Anna Kavanagh, Freya O'Laughlin and Indyah Mulligan in scintillating form.

In the final against Kilbeg, Moynalty raced into a two goal lead but Kilbeg drew level with two strikes from Abbie Jackson and Kate Crosby just before half-time. Abbie Jackson scored early in the second half and 'keeper Hazel O Connor was commanding throughout. Kilbeg hung on despite the gallant efforts of Molly O’Reilly, Emily Brogan, Freya Sheridan and Megan Reilly for Moynalty.

BOYS SMALL SCHOOLS

After winning the All-Ireland final at the Aviva Stadium in 2016 Mount Hanover were crowned Meath Boys small school champions again last week.

Pádraig McGroggan’s side showed great skill and determination, recording victories over Kilmainhamwood and Castletown, along with a hard-fought draw against Drumconrath. The squad worked superbly as a unit, with joint captains Tom Kelly and Shane Woods leading by example. Rian O’Brien and Peter Crosby scored most of the goals while keeper Cian Deasy was reliable and solid throughout. Defenders Seán O’Connell Cudden and Oscar Cudden played their part and Dara Deasy was a constant threat up front.

Daire Rowe’s Drumconrath side drew 2–2 with Castletown in a tight first game, then beat Kilmainhamwood 2–1 in the second match, and came back to draw 2–2 with Mt Hanover in the deciding last game with a superb goal by Donnacha Callaghan to secure second place.

Jack McGahan pulled off some fantastic saves and organised the defence well. Kian McKeever anchored the backline, stopping many dangerous attacks. Aiden McMahon was versatile and composed, using his close control effectively.

In midfield, Rylee Irwin and Ellis Tighe linked up brilliantly. Oran Flanagan brought great energy, lifting the team, while Donnacha Callaghan made a big impact throughout. Paudie McMahon led the attack, scoring key goals with his strong left foot.

BOYS MEDIUM SCHOOLS

Striker Max Marnane proved to be the hero for Charlie O’Connor’s Kilcloon side as he scored four goals, two against Carlanstown and another two in the final against Athboy after extra time.

Kilcloon had drawn their opening game 0-0 against Kentstown, last year’s All-Ireland runners up, before beating a skilful Carlanstown side by 2-1. 'Keeper Seán O’Leary marshalled his defence well with great assistance from captain Oisín Burke and Liam Farrelly.Up front Joe Moriarty combined well with Max Marnane with excellent support from subs, Seán Roturier, Shane McDonagh and Callum Aherne.

O’Growney NS Athboy reached the Meath finals after a strong qualifying campaign, scoring 15 and conceding two.

On finals day, Brian Lynch’s Athboy beat Kildalkey 3-0 in their first game with Ronan Dullaghan scoring two and Ugnius Zandruznas also finding the net. Their next opponents were Robinstown NS and O’Growney came out on top 2-1 with brothers Dillon and Rían Shaw scoring a goal each.

Athboy then faced Kilcloon in the final which was a very tight affair. It finished 1-1 after normal time with Dullaghan scoring O’Growney’s goal.

Extra time proved the difference and Kilcloon scored 2 to win it 3-1.

Throughout the competition, Ruben McGarrity was in inspired form in goals, while Dillon Shaw, Simphiwe Maphosa, Oran McGovern and Jamie Kelly were composed in defence.

BOYS LARGE SCHOOLS

The boys from Ratoath SNS won the Boys large schools section when they beat a skilful St Declan’s Ashbourne by 5-4 on penalties after extra-time failed to separate the sides.

Along the way Ross Farrell’s Ratoath side had beaten Donacarney 5-2, St Paul’s of Navan 4-3 and St Colmcille’s Kells by 4-1 to reach the final.

The team was captained by Domantas Griksas at the back, with the ever reliable Evan Kelly in goal. The hard working midfield was made up of Kayden Clarke, Michael Ryan, Leo Goodall and Finn Reynolds with Greg Campbell and Luke Mullen up front.

The final deciding game between Ratoath and St Declan’s proved to be a thrilling encounter. Both teams had many chances in the first half but the scores remained 0-0 at half time. Both teams pushed for the winner in the second half but James Delaney made numerous saves and both Brogan Whelan and Alessandro Vovc remained steadfast in defence. Ratoath finally broke the deadlock and made it 1-0 but Declan’s remained determined though great work from Oscar Macken Doran and Sam Higgins. After much pressure Declan’s drew level with a superb strike from Marvin Alibi. Extra time came and Alex Macken Byrne pushed his team on for the winner. Eventually the game went to the lottery of penalties and Declan’s lost out in sudden death.