Seven Donegal schools have a day to remember at the Aviva Stadium

Seven Donegal schools took part in the FAI Primary School 5s National Finals in the Aviva Stadium on Wednesday.

St Eunan's Raphoe won the Boys/Mixed  ‘B’ Cup, for mixed medium-sized schools, with a squad made up of Evan McCarron, Ben Farrell, Orran Kee, Ronan McGranaghan, Odhran McHugh, Lewis Hamilton, Riley McBride and Tiarnan Kelly, the Raphoe side took a brilliant support to the venue.

They opened in some style with a 6-2 win over St John the Apostle, Knocknacarra, Co Galway, which was followed up by a tight 2-2 draw against St. Colman’s NS, Mucklagh, Co Offaly. It meant Raphoe knew victory in their final match would be enough to take the title and they won in style, overcoming Ballylooby NS, Co Tipperary on a 5-1 scoreline.  George Simmons and Emmet Kelly took charge.

Scoil Chomcille, Letterkenny took part in the ‘C’ Boys/Mixed Cup for large schools. They were pipped 1-0 by Castlebar Primary School, Mayo; lost 4-0 against St. Kevin’s NS, Greystones, Wicklow, before a 2-2 draw against Monaleen NS, Limerick. Their squad was Lee Hegarty, Oran Daly, Sean Gallagher, Martin Ward, Helder Carvalho, Cristian Evangelista, Kurt Obanor, Cayden Crossan. Teachers/Coaches: Odhrán McGowan, Rory Kavanagh.

Scoil Naomh Colmcille, Craigtown, Carndonagh were in the Boys/Mixed A Cup for small schools. They draw 4-4 with St Mary’s NS, Mountbellew, Galway; lost 3-0 to St. Joseph’s NS, Hacketstown, Carlow, and 3-1 against Scoil Naomh Íosaef, Dromcollogher, Limerick. Their squad was Riley Kelly, Cadhan McGonagle, Dylan Donaghy, Caelan Stevens O’Neill, Connor Gallagher, Kayden McCloskey, Ethan McLoughlin, Colm Callaghan. Teachers / Coaches: Gerard O’Kane, Joanne McKinney.

The ‘A’ Girls Cup featured Scoil Colmcille, Kerrykeel, who lost out 2-0 to Castleblakeney NS, Galway and then on the same scoreline against Ardnagrath NS, Athlone, Westmeath. They finished on a high with a 3-1 success when faced with Kilbehenny NS, Limerick but were delighted to get a meeting with Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny. The playing staff were Natalie Egan, Ciara McVeigh Crossan, Cliodhna Robinson, Clodagh McAteer, Aishling Duffy, Aine Doherty, Katie McLaughlin, Erin Logue. Teachers/Coaches: Fergus McAteer and James Gallagher.

St. Patrick’s NS, Lurgybrack were fighting to make the cut for the medium schools in the ‘B’ Girls Cup. They lost narrowly 1-0 against Scoil Phádraig, Westport, Mayo; then 3-1 to Scoil Naomh Peadar S’Pol, Ballon, Carlow before an exciting 3-3 draw against Scoil an Spioraid Naoimh, Roxborough, Limerick. The playing staff were Lily Grace Harvey, Cari Callaghan, Ruby Sheridan, Kayla Watson, Emma Kelly, Isla Larkin, Ella Brennan, Tara McDaid. Teachers/Coaches: Sheenagh Morrison, Danielle Fay.

It was an all-Irish affair in the Girls ‘C’ Cup, with four Gaelscoils. Gaelscoil Adhamhnáin, Leitir Ceanainn lost 3-1 to Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh, Gaillimh; 2-0 against Scoil Uí Riada, Cill Choca, Chill Dara and then 4-2 when they faced Gaelscoil Charraig Uí Leighin, Co Chorcaí. Ciara Ní Chuilinn, Aoibhe Nic Pháidín, Éadaoin Ní Chinnéide, Jessica Ní Bheirn, Aoife Ní Chionnaith, Grace Nic Fhloinn, Féile Ní Mhearthaile and Lucy Nic Suibhne formed the squad. Teachers/Coaches: Pól Mac Giolla Bhríde, Annita Nic Daibhéad.

Scoil Íosagáin, Buncrana, competed in the Special Schools, winning 1-0 against St. Columba’s NS, Douglas, Cork; losing 5-2 to a strong Scoil Eoin, Crumlin, Dublin, team and then putting in a great showing to beat St. Anne’s School, Ennis, Clare, 5-2. The travelling party was Adrians Aleksejeva, Eoin Hirrell, Daniel Brolly, Nuh Norris, Danny Bradley, Cilléin Doherty, Niall Doherty, Ethan Duffy Sheridan. Teachers / Coaches: Jonathan Adair, Kieran Sharkey. Scoil Íosagáin, Buncrana had Adrians Aleksejeva, Eoin Hirrell, Daniel Brolly, Nuh Norris, Danny Bradley, Cilléin Doherty, Niall Doherty, Ethan Duffy Sheridan. Teachers / Coaches: Jonathan Adair, Kieran Sharkey.