2018 Boys Futsal Champions

The St Mac Dara’s Boys Futsal team completed a remarkable week for soccer in the school by becoming Dublin Futsal Champions on Thursday. This completes a fantastic double as the Boys followed in the footsteps of the Girls team who also became Dublin Champions this week. It was great to see both teams getting rewarded for all the hard work they have put in. We were particularly delighted to see both teams demonstrating exceptionally high skill levels while also working really well together as a team and playing all of the games in a great spirit of sportsmanship. This bodes very well for the future and we look forward to watching both teams play in Provincial competition.

Please find a report on the tournament from Diane Fay National Administrative Officer FAI Schools below.

THE TEMPLEOGUE scholars won the girls competition yesterday while the boys made it a super double this afternoon when they overcame a confident Coláiste Chilliain, Chluain Dolcáin in the final at the National Indoor Arena, Abbotstown. 

Similar to the girls showcase less than 24 hours previous, it was a solitary goal that did the damage in the final. And who popped up to secure the winner, only Aaron McDONNELL. Ironically, his sister Ruth scored the winner yesterday for their School while sister Ciara was the shot stopper on the day so a great occasion for the McDonnell household with all three playing a starring role over the last two days!

With the late withdrawal of Larkin Community College from today’s proceedings, it was nine teams lined out with one group of four and another of five that made the cut from the regional qualifiers.

Portmarnock Community School, Oatlands College, Blackrock, Trinity Comprehensive School, Ballymun and St. Mac Dara’s Community College, Templeogue were all competing for top spot. As were Woodbrook College, Coláiste Chilliain, Chluain Dolcáin, Kylemore College, Ballyfermot, Riversdale Community College and Synge Street CBS Secondary School in the other grouping.

The Clondalkin students made light work of their group games with four wins from four to secure top spot while Kylemore College were also impressive in this division. Pól O’Sluaghain’s side notched up 12 goals, only conceding three in the four outings. They secured a 3-1 victory over Ballyfermot side Kylemore College while they enjoyed a 4-1 win over Woodbrook College in the next game. Their penultimate fixture saw them defeat Riversdale Community College 4-1 and they finished their campaign with a narrow 1-0 win over Synge Street. Thomas O’Muireagan was their talisman with a supreme performance that saw him round four players to convert some super goals throughout the day. Indeed mentor O’Sluaghain expressed his delight at his side’s success with a team effort ensuring them a place in the final showcase.

Mac Dara’s squad were under the watchful eye of mentor Conor Canavan for today’s action but could he follow in Jason Carey & Lauren Tynan’s footsteps by leading them to the title? Trinity Comprehensive School, Ballymun were first up in this group and Templeogue showed their desire by slotting four past them to take the game 4-1 with Eoin Mougan and Callum McElligott both getting a brace. The Templeogue side struggled against an inform Portmarnock side but Cian McManus snatched a one nil win for his side to keep their title ambitions alive. The third game of the series saw them slot two past Oatlands College with Mougan again on form making it three wins from three.

The build up to the final game of the day was closely watched as the top two teams did battle. Coláiste Chilliain had plenty of possession and looked comfortable on the ball but they just couldn’t break down the Templeogue defence. As predicted, the game was decided by a splendid goal courtesy of their star man Aaron McDonnell.

An historic occasion for the School, picking up both the Boys & Girls Dublin Futsal titles with a phenomenal work rate from all the players involved against some much fancied opposition. They will be one to watch out for in the Leinster series.

Conor, Jason & Lauren will look forward to preparing their respective squads for the provincial deciders now which are scheduled for Wednesday, November 21 (Girls) and Thursday, November 22 (Boys) in the National Indoor Arena, Abbotstown.

St. Mac Dara’s Community College, Templeogue | Senan Duffy, Aaron McDonnell, Eoin Mougan, Callum McElligott, Ciaran Norton, Tadgh Fagan, Cian McManus, Luca McCarthy, Liam Brady, Sam Carey.

Teacher | Conor Canavan

POST PRIMARY SCHOOLS FUTSAL DATES

 Provincial Finals:

 Ulster                                    November 13                      AURA Leisure Centre, Letterkenny

Connacht                             November 14                      IT Sligo

Munster                              November 20                     Waterford IT Sports Arena

Leinster                                November 21                      National Indoor Arena, Abbotstown (Girls)

Leinster                                November 22                     National Indoor Arena, Abbotstown (Boys)

National Final:                   December 4                       Waterford IT Sports Arena