Summer Soccer Schools 2011Go To Homepage
Convent of Mercy & St. Muredach’s claim futsal crowns
The Connacht First Year Futsal Finals were held in the Kingfisher Sports Centre in NUIG yesterday (November 22) were a host of schools old and new did battle for the coveted crown.
Reigning Connacht Champions Davitt College (girls section) and St. Muredach's College (boys section) were in attendance to defend their titles.
Under the surrounds of the marvellous facilities, both the boys and girls competitions were run simultaneously and a huge crowd of gathering supporters were present to cheer on the respective teams.
To open proceedings Leitrim's Lough Allen hosted Dominican College in the first game of the girls section. The latter enjoying a 4-1 victory over the newcomers.
Next up was Ursuline College, Sligo and superstars Davitt College who were going in search of their 3 in-a-row this season. A difficult battle arose for the Castlebar School but they managed a 2-0 win to take an early advantage with Galway's Dominican College after round 1.
The second series of games saw Lough Allen defeat Ursuline's 2-1 while the Convent had a nail-biting 4-3 win over Davitt College. A surprise victory for the Roscommon natives but one that would fill them with confidence in the prevailing rounds.
The Convent could not continue their winning ways in round 3 as the Dominican College lead them to a 1-1 draw. Davitt were back in contention with a 4-1 roasting of Lough Allen.
The final series of the group stages developed with a multitude of goals as the Convent scored 8-3 against Lough Allen and Ursuline's secured a hat-trick of goals against a determined Dominican College to leave the full time score at 3-0.
The Convent were strengthened by the appearance of Rachel Fee and Aoife McCawley and this duo would need to be watched closely if teams were going to progress against them.
Convent of Mercy sealed their top spot with three wins and a draw followed closely by Dominican College with two wins and one draw to claim the other finalist's position as the afternoon proceedings came to an end.
The finale was sure to entertain as their previous meeting served up a 1-1 draw midway through the day.
Pressure was mounting on both teams as a victory now would leave the winning team with a trip to the All Ireland Finals in a fortnight's time.
A clear winner was to emerge following the final whistle as the Convent stole the show with a 7-0 victory over the outclassed Galway girls. Unfortunately the talented Elle Rose O'Flaherty and Emer Alone imposed their authority in this game but just couldn't convert any of the chances they created as Mercy's goalkeeper was in outstanding form.
In the boys section St. Joseph's College were first to register their winning ways as they took the points off St. Clare's with a 3-1 win. St. Muredach's soon followed suit with a 5-2 whipping of Ballisodare.
The second series of games saw Ballisodare beat St. Clare's 4-1 and St. Muredach's enjoyed a comfortable triumph over Elphin.
Elphin were again under the cosh as the bish set about putting four past them in a highly entertaining encounter. The game ended 4-2 to the Galway lads. The Ballina School bombarded Manorhamilton in round 3 as they had an emphatic 6-0 win.
The fourth round saw the reigning champs overcome the bish 3-2 while Ballisodare held their nerve to take the points off Elphin with a 5-4 result in their favour.
The final round in the group stages created two draws with Elphin picking up some valuable points as their game with St. Clare's ended 3-3. In the other fixture another six goal onslaught saw the bish and Ballisodare finish even.
Reigning Champions St. Muredach's were up against 2009 Champions St. Joseph's College in the final as the contest drew to a conclusion.
Their previous battle served up a 3-2 win to the Ballina boys so what was to develop in the second test against the same opposition?
The Bish were under pressure early on as Ballina's St. Muredach's created a horde of chances. Luke Byrnes and Andrew Barcowscki had impressed previously for St. Joseph's but were man marked in this game and could do little to advance their teams progression in the competition.
St. Muredach's ran out well deserved winners on a 6-2 score line as Conor McStay, Moo Paw and Daniel Maughan had a great tournament lending a hand to their team's 26 goal tally. Goalkeeper for Ballina can be congratulated as he averaged only conceding once in every game.
Scoil Muire gan Smal, Convent of Mercy, Roscommon and St. Muredach's College, Ballina will now progress to the All Ireland Finals which will be held on Tuesday, December 6 at Franciscan College, Gormanston, Co. Meath. We wish the schools the very best of luck in their endeavours to be crowned All Ireland Champions.
The event which is part of the FAI's football in schools programme will be co-ordinated by National Administrative Officer for FAI Schools, Diane Fay. For further information please contact Diane on 0860404952
ROUND 1
St. Clare's 1-3 St. Joseph's
Ballisodare 2-5 St. Muredach's
ROUND 2
St. Clare's 1-4 Ballisodare
Elphin 2-6 St. Muredach's
ROUND 3
St. Joseph's 4-2 Elphin
St. Muredach's 6-0 St. Clare's
ROUND 4
St. Muredach's 3-2 St. Joseph's
Ballisodare 5-4 Elphin
ROUND 5
Elphin 3-3 St. Clare's
St. Joseph's 3-3 Ballisodare
FINAL
St. Muredach's College, Ballina 6-2 St. Joseph's College, Galway
CONNACHT GIRLS RESULTS
ROUND 1
Lough Allen 1-4 Dominican College
Ursuline 0-2 Davitt College
ROUND 2
Davitt College 1-2 Dominican College
Ursuline 1-4 Convent of Mercy
ROUND 3
Lough Allen 2-1 Ursuline
Convent of Mercy 4-3 Davitt College
ROUND 4
Dominican College 1-1 Convent of Mercy
Davitt College 4-1 Lough Allen
ROUND 5
Convent of Mercy 8-3 Lough Allen
Dominican College 0-3 Ursuline
FINAL
Scoil Muire gan Smal, Convent of Mercy 7-0 Dominican College, Taylor's Hill
