Courtesy: Leitrim Observer


St. Clare’s and Drumshanbo show their class in Schools Futsal Finals

The Drumshanbo Vocational School team who won the Girls competition in the Leitrim FAI Post Primary Schools Five-a-side First year Futsal competition at Aura Leisure, Carrick-on-Shannon last Friday

Sunday 18 November 2012

St. Clare’s Comprehensive Boys and Drumshanbo Vocational School Girls were the top teams in the Leitrim Finals of the FAI Post Primary Schools Five-a-side First year Futsal Finals at Aura Leisure, Carrick-on-Shannon last Friday.

Organised by Leitrim FAI/Leitrim County Council Development Officer Damon Kearney, the Futsal competition emphasises small sided games played on reduced sized pitches. It was a day to remember as all the schools and players served up a feast of football with goals, upsets and surprises along the way as a total of 10 teams took part in this year’s event.

Four teams took part in the Boys competition and it was all very close but St. Clare’s Manorhamilton dominated the proceedings early on with two wins but Carrigallen Vocational School ended their unbeaten streak in their final group game. Carrigallen also won two in the group stage only to be beaten by Lough Allen College 4-1.

It was all so close at the top with three teams finishing on top with four points each which meant it came down to goal difference with St. Clare’s and Lough Allen qualifying for the fianl ahead of Carrigallen and Drumshanbo VS.

The final provided plenty of goals and excellent attaching football and it was St. Clare’s who ran out 5-3 winners thanks to Stephen Kelly’s display who saw him net four of the goals with Mark McGee with the other. Lee McSharry was the outstanding performer for Lough Allen throughout and scored in the final along with James Clancy and Shane McGee.

This was a superb game that seen some fantastic goals, near misses and great saves as it went from end to end. St Clare’s were worthy winners as they played good football throughout the competition.

In the Girls competition, three teams took part to fight for the chance to progress on the Connacht Finals. Drumshanbo VS finished top of the round-robin stages unbeaten with Lough Allen College only taking the second place in the fianl after seeing off Carrigallen after extra-time.

The final itself turned out to be an epic. Two talented teams in the Drumshanbo and Lough Allen provided great entertainment to the watching crowd as they played some fantastic football. Drunshanbo would prove to strong and go on to win 6-2 in the end, a cruel blow to Lough Allen who performed so well all day but well done to both teams for putting on such an entertaining display. Aine drove Drumshanbo forward at every opportunity while Nicole Fitzpatrick was outstanding for Lough Allen throughout.

FAI/Leitrim County Council Community Development Officer Damon Kearney would like to thank all the schools who took part and compliment all the teachers and mentors for the great sporting behaviour displayed by all the players on and off the field.

A big thank you to all the referees Mel O’Brien and Charlie Candon who done a fantastic job throughout. Congratulations to the winners St. Claire’s Comp and Drumshanbo Vocational School who will now represent Leitrim in the upcoming Connadht Finals on November 19, in the IT Sligo. Good luck to all!






Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com