Four more teams advance to soccer county finals
PRIMARY SCHOOLS 5s
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The Bohermeen players who qualified for the finals of the Meath FAI Primary Schools 5s.Image 2 of 4
The Kildalkey NS players who qualified for the Meath Primary Schools 5s finals.Image 3 of 4
The Kentstown A and B team players.Image 4 of 4
The Coole NS players who qualified for the Meath Primary Schools 5s finals.The FAI Primary Schools 5s qualifiers for medium sized schools had an entry of 71 teams, the biggest in Ireland and took two full days to run off.
The four successful teams who progressed to the Meath finals on the 17th April are Kentstown, Bohermeen, Kildalkey and Coole NS.
In the group stages Kentstown A, managed by Sean McKiernan, beat Trim Educate Together A, Coole NS B, Rathbeggan NS B and Scoil Naomh Eoin A to qualify for the second round.
Goalkeeper Jay Lynagh was reliable throughout with defender Eoghan Hosie in inspired form. Midfielders Austin Barry and Daragh McCoy were impressive while Mossie Gillic up front scored some cracking goals along the way.
Substitutes Oisín Melia, Tom Hickey and Eoin Carolan each played their part in securing Kentstown’s place in the county finals.
Bohermeen reached the Meath finals for the second year in succession but had to overcome a skillful Robinstown side in the group stages. Captained by Josh Rennicks, James Brennan’s charges had to work very hard to see off the challenge of Gilson NS Oldcastle, Yellow Furze and Gaelscoil Eanna in the playoffs.
Bohermeen fell behind to both Oldcastle and Yellow Furze before battling back to edge both games. Striker Liam Fallon scored vital goals in every game as defender Darragh Hilliard, midfielder Eoin Mangan and goalkeeper Darragh Monaghan played vital roles throughout the day also.
Kildalkey NS, managed by Nodlag O’Neill-Forde, won all four games in the Group 1 of the qualifiers.
Along the way they defeated Boardsmill, Scoil Mhuire (Navan), Scoil Naomh Barra Wilkinstown and Gaelscoil na Ríthe putting the boys through to the round robin section.
First up were Kilbride NS, Trim. An early goal put Kildalkey ahead but when Kilbride equalised with only a few minutes left, it was a real test for the boys. Liam’s goal proved the difference, along with some stellar work in midfield from Lucas and Harry.
The toughest test of the day was against Gaelscoil na Bóinne, where an early goal from the Trim outfit looked likely to be the deciding score. However, sustained pressure from Kildalkey eventually resulted in an equaliser and the same player popped up two minutes later to head in the winner.
Steller goalkeeping from Harry and excellent defensive work from Jack ensured that the result would stay at 2-1 to Kildalkey.
Coole NS boys demonstrated great skill and composure in winning all three games to top Group 15.
In the second phase they defeated Dangan and Rathbeggan and drew with a skilful side from St Anne's, Navan to advance to the county finals.
Luke Thompson made some very impressive saves as goalkeeper. Davin Quinn and James McElligott impressed up front, Rían McCormack and Tadhg Flynn were strong in defence. Midfielder Jamie Reilly was in flying form while substitutes Peter O'Brien and Donnacha Maguire both played crucial roles for the Coole school.