Twelve months previously, there were four schools capturing a remarkable double Cup success but this was not the case this year. However, we did see inform Mulroy College, Milford, St. Mary’s SS, Newport and Dublin Oak Academy, Bray retain their impressive titles. While Glenamaddy and Sacred Heart School, Westport returned to winning ways following a lengthy hiatus. It was also nice to see some new schools capture their first piece of National silverware with Grennan College and Killina Presentation making a name for themselves this season.
FAI Schools organise National Cups in the boys and girls sections, with eight divisions apiece catering for small and large schools tailored for Under-19, 17, 15 and 14 age groups.
Each provincial branch also offer an extensive local League structure co-ordinated by teachers voluntarily.
The series of competitions provide football to over 500 post-primary schools nationwide with almost 38,000 students participating annually.
The Girls Cup winners this season hail from Donegal (2), Mayo (2), Tipperary (2), Galway and newcomers Offaly. While the Boys Cup winners included schools from Donegal (2), Galway (2), Cork, Kilkenny, Wicklow and Wexford.
Bank of Ireland FAI Schools National Cup Final Girls Winners 2017/18
Senior Cup Presentation Secondary School, Thurles, Tipperary
Senior ‘B’ Cup Mulroy College, Milford, Donegal
Junior Cup Moville Community College, Donegal
Junior ‘B’ Cup St. Patrick’s College, Lacken Cross, Killala, Mayo
Minor Cup Claregalway College, Galway
Minor ‘B’ Cup Killina Presentation Secondary School, Tullamore, Offaly
First Year Cup Sacred Heart School, Westport, Mayo
First Year ‘B’ Cup St. Mary’s Secondary School, Newport, Tipperary
Presentation Secondary School, Thurles were named the Bank of Ireland FAI Schools Senior Girls National Cup winners following a 2-0 victory over Donegal’s Moville Community College in Home Farm FC on February 21. Goals either side of the break from Aoibheann Clancy and Emma O’Sullivan gave the Tipperary school their second National Cup title in three years.
Mulroy College, Milford retained their Bank of Ireland FAI Schools Senior ‘B’ Girls National Cup title with a hard fought 2-0 win over debutants Midleton College, Cork in Home Farm FC on January 31. A brace from Laura Dugera was enough to see off the Leesiders in Whitehall as Dugera and Co. notched up a fine display for the Milford posse.
A debutant season for Manager Aoife Hegarty of Moville Community College saw her side claim the Bank of Ireland FAI Schools Junior Girls National Cup following a dramatic final in the AUL Complex on March 14. The game was moved to the Clonshaugh venue following torrential rain in Dublin which proved too difficult for the surface at Home Farm FC to manage. Played in very difficult conditions the Moville crew came from a goal down to claim the prestigious title, making up for the heartache of missing out in the Senior Cup the month previous where Presentation SS, Thurles gained the upper hand.
St. Patrick’s College, Lacken Cross made up for last season’s bitter disappointment by defeating newcomers Ard Scoil Chiaráin Naofa of Clara in a pulsating tie in the AUL Complex on March 7 to be crowned Bank of Ireland FAI Schools Junior ‘B’ Girls National Cup Champions. The Mayo goal-scorers included Ailbhe McHale, Alva Munnelly and Deirbhle McHale while Ciara Guilfoyle netted for the Clara crew, 3-1 the final score.
Claregalway College lifted the Bank of Ireland FAI Schools Minor Girls National Cup in fine style with a disciplined display overcoming a determined Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana in Ray MacSharry Park on April 9. The Galway girls had two Under-15 Schools’ International starlets in the starting line-up with Captain Shauna Brennan and Kate Slevin applying their expertise for Cooney’s charges while Scoil Mhuire were hampered by the absence of striker Emma Doherty who was out of commission due to a broken leg. Claregalway ran out 3-0 victors with Sara Cogley, Chellene Trill and Elisha Bohan all netting.
A soliditary goal courtesy of Emma Dolan was enough to see Killina Presentation Secondary School, Tullamore overcome defending Champions St. Mary’s Secondary School, Newport to cause an upset and claim the Bank of Ireland FAI Schools Minor ‘B’ Girls National Cup in Birr Town FC on April 17.
Sacred Heart School, Westport captured the Bank of Ireland FAI Schools First Year Girls National Cup in dramatic fashion at the AUL Complex on May 8 when they defeated Loreto Secondary School, Kilkenny 4-3 in a nail biting penalty shoot-out after neither side could break the deadlock even after 20-minutes of extra time.
St. Mary’s Secondary School, Newport secured their second consecutive title in the Bank of Ireland FAI Schools First Year ‘B’ Girls National Cup following a confident display against Leinster stars St. Laurence College of Loughlinstown in the AUL Complex on May 11. A brace in each half ensured the honours for the Tipperary crew with Robyn McNamara, Abbie Lenihan (2) and Ailin Rochford getting on the scoresheet as well as Isabella Connors netting of the Dublin side to finish 4-1.
Bank of Ireland FAI Schools National Cup Final Boys Winners 2017/18
Dr. Tony O’Neill Senior Cup Carndonagh Community College, Donegal
John Murphy Senior ‘B’ Cup Grennan College, Thomastown, Kilkenny
Tom Ticher Junior Cup St. Mary’s CBS, Enniscorthy, Wexford
Junior ‘B’ Cup Glenamaddy Community School, Galway
Minor Cup St. Joseph’s College, Galway
Minor ‘B’ Cup PCC Falcarragh, Donegal
First Year Cup St. Francis College, Rochestown, Cork
First Year ‘B’ Cup Dublin Oak Academy, Bray, Wicklow
A goal in each half proved enough for a dominant Carndonagh Community School to recapture the Bank of Ireland FAI Schools Dr. Tony O’Neill Senior National Cup which they won back in 2016. The Donegal crew enjoyed a comfortable 2-0 victory over Coláiste Chiaráin of Athlone at the impressive Home Farm FC venue on April 25.
Grennan College, Thomastown stunned the Ulster Champions PCC Falcarragh following a late surge in Gortakeegan on April 3 to lift the Bank of Ireland FAI Schools John Murphy Senior ‘B’ Cup. Three goals in the final twenty minutes of a pulsating tie saw Denis Doyle’s side snatch the silverware from Belmullet outfit St. Brendan’s College.
Kieran Murphy fired home a goal of real quality which ultimately proved enough for St. Mary’s CBS, Enniscorthy to claim their first ever Bank of Ireland FAI Schools Tom Ticher Junior National Cup in an exciting and highly competitive decider against favourites St. Joseph’s College, Galway at Home Farm FC on May 2.
Glenamaddy Community School captured the Bank of Ireland FAI Schools Junior ‘B’ Boys National Cup following an exquisite brace in the second half to claim victory over a classy PCC Falcarragh in Ray MacSharry Park on March 21. The Galway side last won a National title back in 2004 when they claimed the John Murphy Senior ‘B’ Cup for the first time at U18 level. The 2018 season saw the emergence of a new Junior ‘B’ division so Glenamaddy will be the first ever name etched on the silverware following their stunning performance in the Sligo venue.
St. Joseph’s College, Galway defeated St. Columba’s College, Stranorlar in stylish fashion to lift the Bank of Ireland FAI Schools Minor Boys National Cup in IT Sligo on April 10 with a six goal thriller ending 4-2 to the Connacht stars following a late flourish.
PCC Falcarragh secured the Bank of Ireland FAI Schools Minor ‘B’ Boys National Cup as they made a surreal comeback scoring three goals in the second half against a hard-working Coola Post Primary School, Sligo to snatch a 3-2 victory in IT Sligo on April 10
Harry Nevin was the hat-trick hero yet again as St. Francis College, Rochestown (AKA Roco) powered past St. Kieran’s College, Kilkenny to take the Bank of Ireland FAI Schools First Year Boys National Cup in an action packed decider at the AUL Complex on May 10.
A goal in each half saw the holders Dublin Oak Academy, Bray edge out Coola Post Primary School, Sligo 2-1 and capture a third successive Bank of Ireland FAI Schools First Year ‘B’ Boys National Cup in a thrilling Final at the AUL Complex on May 10.
Bank of Ireland FAI Schools Post Primary Provincial & National Winners 2017/18
FAI Schools Senior 'B' Boys (John Murphy Cup)
National Champions Grennan College, Thomastown, Kilkenny
National Runners Up St. Brendan’s College, Belmullet, Mayo
Ulster PCC Falcarragh, Donegal
Munster St. Joseph’s Secondary School, Spanish Point, Clare
Leinster Grennan College, Thomastown, Kilkenny
Connacht St. Brendan’s College, Belmullet, Mayo
FAI Schools Senior 'B' Girls
National Champions Mulroy College, Milford, Donegal
National Runners Up Midleton College, Cork
Ulster Mulroy College, Milford, Donegal
Munster Midleton College, Cork
Leinster St. Kilian’s Deutsche Schule, Clonskeagh, Dublin
Connacht St. Patrick’s College, Lacken Cross, Killala, Mayo
FAI Schools Senior Boys (Dr. Tony O'Neill Cup)
National Champions Carndonagh Community School, Donegal
National Runners Up Coláiste Chiaráin, Athlone, Roscommon
Ulster Carndonagh Community School, Donegal
Munster Mount Sion CBS SS, Waterford
Leinster Chanel College, Coolock, Dublin
Connacht Coláiste Chiaráin, Athlone, Roscommon
FAI Schools Senior Girls
National Champions Presentation Secondary School, Thurles, Tipperary
National Runners Up Moville Community College, Donegal
Ulster Moville Community College, Donegal
Munster Presentation Secondary School, Thurles, Tipperary
Leinster Coláiste Bride, Enniscorthy, Wexford
Connacht Meánscoil Muire gan Smál, Convent of Mercy, Roscommon
FAI Schools Junior Boys (Tom Ticher Cup)
National Champions St. Mary’s CBS, Enniscorthy, Wexford
National Runners Up St. Joseph’s College, Galway
Ulster Loreto Community School, Milford, Donegal
Munster Mount Sion CBS SS, Waterford
Leinster St. Mary’s CBS, Enniscorthy, Wexford
Connacht St. Joseph’s College, Galway
FAI Schools Junior ‘B’ Boys
National Champions Glenamaddy Community School, Galway
National Runners Up PCC Falcarragh, Donegal
Ulster PCC Falcarragh, Donegal
Munster MICC Dunmanway, Cork
Leinster Rockbrook Park College, Rathfarnham, Dublin
Connacht Glenamaddy Community School, Galway
FAI Schools Junior Girls
National Champions Moville Community College, Donegal
National Runners Up Claregalway College, Galway
Ulster Moville Community College, Donegal
Munster Scoil Mhuire agus Ide, Newcastle West, Limerick
Leinster Athlone Community College, Westmeath
Connacht Claregalway College, Galway
FAI Schools Junior ‘B’ Girls
National Champions St. Patrick's College, Lacken Cross, Killala, Mayo
National Runners Up Ard Scoil Chiaráin Naofa, Clara, Offaly
Ulster Coláiste Ailigh, Leitir Ceannain, Dún na nGall
Munster Coláiste Mhuire, Askeaton, Limerick
Leinster Ard Scoil Chiaráin Naofa, Clara, Offaly
Connacht St. Patrick's College, Lacken Cross, Killala, Mayo
FAI Schools Minor Boys
National Champions St. Joseph’s College, Galway
National Runners Up St. Columba’s College, Stranorlar, Donegal
Ulster St. Columba’s College, Stranorlar, Donegal
Munster St. Francis College, Rochestown, Cork
Leinster Patrician Secondary School, Newbridge, Kildare
Connacht St. Joseph’s College, Galway
FAI Schools Minor ‘B’ Boys
National Champions PCC Falcarragh, Donegal
National Runners Up Coola Post Primary School, Sligo
Ulster PCC Falcarragh, Donegal
Munster Coláiste Mhuire, Askeaton, Limerick
Leinster No Qualifier
Connacht Coola Post Primary School, Sligo
FAI Schools Minor Girls
National Champions Coláiste Bhaile Chláir, Galway
National Runners Up Scoil Mhuire Secondary School, Buncrana, Donegal
Ulster Scoil Mhuire Secondary School, Buncrana, Donegal
Munster Presentation Secondary School, Thurles, Tipperary
Leinster Loreto Secondary School, Kilkenny
Connacht Coláiste Bhaile Chláir, Galway
FAI Schools Minor ‘B’ Girls
National Champions Killina Presentation Secondary School, Tullamore, Offaly
National Runners Up St. Mary’s Secondary School, Newport, Tipperary
Ulster Coláiste Ailigh, Leitir Ceannain, Dún na nGall
Munster St. Mary’s Secondary School, Newport, Tipperary
Leinster Killina Presentation Secondary School, Tullamore, Offaly
Connacht St. Patrick’s College, Lacken Cross, Mayo
FAI Schools First Year Boys
National Champions St. Francis College, Rochestown, Cork
National Runners Up St. Kieran’s College, Kilkenny
Ulster Carndonagh Community School, Donegal
Munster St. Francis College, Rochestown, Cork
Leinster St. Kieran’s College, Kilkenny
Connacht Calasanctius College, Oranmore, Galway
FAI Schools First Year 'B' Boys
National Champions Dublin Oak Academy, Bray, Wicklow
National Runners Up Coola Post Primary School, Sligo
Ulster Royal & Prior Comprehensive School, Raphoe, Donegal
Munster St. Mary’s Secondary School, Newport, Tipperary
Leinster Dublin Oak Academy, Bray, Wicklow
Connacht Coola Post Primary School, Sligo
FAI Schools First Year Girls
National Champions Sacred Heart School, Westport, Mayo
National Runners Up Loreto Secondary School, Kilkenny
Ulster Carndonagh Community School, Donegal
Munster Crescent College Comprehensive, Limerick
Leinster Loreto Secondary School, Kilkenny
Connacht Sacred Heart School, Westport, Mayo
FAI Schools First Year ‘B’ Girls
National Champions St. Mary’s Secondary School, Newport, Tipperary
National Runners Up St. Laurence College, Loughlinstown, Dublin
Ulster Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair, Dún na nGall
Munster St. Mary’s Secondary School, Newport, Tipperary
Leinster St. Laurence College, Loughlinstown, Dublin
Connacht St. Joseph’s Secondary School, Foxford, Mayo