There was a wide geographic spread of the seven National Cup Champions with the conclusion of the 2025 FAI Schools Primary 5s National Finals at the Aviva Stadium on Wednesday.
Gaelscoil Uí Chéadaigh, Wicklow (‘A’ Cup), St. Leonard’s NS, Dunnamaggin, Kilkenny (Girls ‘A’ Cup), Scoil Bhríde, Mullaghrafferty, Monaghan (‘B’ Cup), Scoil Fhursa, Gaillimh (Girls ‘B’ Cup), Lusk SNS, Dublin (‘C’ Cup), Monaleen NS, Limerick (Girls ‘C’ Cup), and Scoil Íosagáin, Buncrana, Inishowen, Donegal (Football for All Cup) were the big winners on a massive day out for those involved.
We also had a new addition to the programme this year with St. Patrick’s Special School, Kilkenny, St. Mary’s BNS, Maynooth, Kildare, St. Columba’s NS, Douglas, Cork and St. Oliver Plunkett NS, Monaghan getting to play on the hallowed turf of the Aviva Stadium in a fun participation initiative with everyone a winner.
This year the programme featured 2,060 schools with a total of 44,104 children participating which was a new record for the Primary 5s Programme, that has been in existence since the mid-1990s.
The 32 qualifying teams from 30 schools had come through four months of fun filled nationwide activity. The journey began with their local County events, Regional and / or Provincial qualifiers to reach this stage of the competition with huge excitement at the climax of the competition.
The 256 children who were lining out, put in some stylish performances in front of a crowd of over 2,500 supporters.
Former Women’s International player Méabh De Búrca was in attendance to support her niece Réidín who was participating in the Girls ‘B’ Cup with Scoil Fhursa, Gaillimh. Méabh was a Connacht and National Cup winner with her school St. James’ NS, Bushypark, Galway twenty five years ago. It was brilliant to see Réidín and her Scoil Fhursa colleagues replicate this success in 2025.
Let’s see how the schools got on!
‘A’ Cup
Gaelscoil Uí Chéadaigh, Wicklow, averaged a phenomenal five goals per game in their three-game series yesterday. Rían Ó Gallichóir was their talisman’s who produced some excellent displays to give them an edge over their competitors. It wasn’t surprising that Ó Gallichóir was announced Player of the Tournament in this division following the conclusion of the group.
A real team effort saw the Wicklow team record three wins from three to claim top spot in a day to remember for the whole crew. Mentors Darren Daly and Joe Gleeson were ecstatic with the victory.
Glanduff NS, Roscommon were gallant runners-up with good wins over St. Mary’s NS, Threemilehouse and Rathmore NS, Douglas.
Cork side, Rathmore NS pipped the Monaghan side to third place in an interesting contest in the ‘A’ Cup Section.
‘A’ Cup
Winner Gaelscoil Uí Chéadaigh, Wicklow
Runner Up Glanduff NS, Roscommon
Third Rathmore NS, Baltimore, Cork
Fourth St. Mary’s NS, Threemilehouse, Monaghan
PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT Rían Ó Gallichóir, Gaelscoil Uí Chéadaigh, Wicklow
RESULTS
Gaelscoil Uí Chéadaigh (Wicklow) 5 – 2 Rathmore NS (Cork)
St Mary’s NS, Threemilehouse (Monaghan) 3 – 5 Glanduff NS (Roscommon)
Rathmore NS (Cork) 2 – 3 Glanduff NS (Roscommon)
Gaelscoil Uí Chéadaigh (Wicklow) 5 – 2 St Mary’s NS, Threemilehouse (Monaghan)
St Mary’s NS, Threemilehouse (Monaghan) 0 - 0 Rathmore NS (Cork)
Glanduff NS (Roscommon) 0 – 5 Gaelscoil Uí Chéadaigh (Wicklow)
Girls ‘A’ Cup
Kilkenny starlets St. Leonard’s NS who hail from Dunnamaggin, were worthy winners in this section as they netted three wins from three. Ruth Moylan scoring in each game.
Silver medallists Scoil an Choimin, Dun na nGall held them to a solitary goal with Moylan scoring midway through the first half to prove decisive. Despite Donegal’s best efforts in an entertaining encounter, the Leinster Champions managed to defend their lead and grab the valuable points on offer.
Huge credit to shot-stopper Méabh O’Sullivan, St. Leonard’s NS, who claimed Player of the Tournament with her sterling endeavours between the posts. She pulled off some spectacular saves to keep her side in contention throughout the day.
Lankill NS had to settle for a third-place finish while Cloughjordan collected bronze with the fourth-place outing.
Girls ‘A’ Cup
Winner St. Leonard’s NS, Dunnamaggin, Kilkenny
Runner Up Scoil an Choimin, Donegal
Third Lankill NS, Mayo
Fourth Cloughjordan NS, Tipperary
PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT Méabh O’Sullivan St. Leonard’s NS, Dunnamaggin, Kilkenny
RESULTS
St Leonards NS Dunnamaggin 3 – 0 Cloughjordan NS (Tipperary)
Scoil an Choimin (Donegal) 2 – 0 Lankill NS Girls (Mayo)
Cloughjordan NS (Tipperary) 1 – 3 Lankill NS Girls (Mayo)
St Leonards NS Dunnamaggin 1 – 0 Scoil an Choimin (Donegal)
Scoil an Choimin Girls (Donegal) 4-2 Cloughjordan NS (Tipperary)
Lankill NS Girls (Mayo) 0-4 St Leonards NS Dunnamaggin
‘B’ Cup
Scoil Bhríde, Mullaghrafferty, Monaghan netted wins in their opening two campaigns with a closely fought victory over Roscommon side Cornafulla NS, while they turned on the style against eventual runners-up Kentstown in their penultimate performance. The Farney Army were held to a two-all draw against Munster Champions Clonmoney in their final game however, the seven points generated were enough to see them edge past the Leinster legends.
Some consolation for the Kentstown crew was the selection of Austin Barry as the Player of the Tournament.
There were some standout games in this group with plenty of goals to keep the fans engaged all afternoon.
'B’ Cup
Winner Scoil Bhríde, Mullaghrafferty, Monaghan
Runner Up Kentstown NS, Meath
Third Cornafulla NS, Roscommon
Fourth Clonmoney NS, Clare
PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT Austin Barry, Kentstown NS, Meath
RESULTS
Kentstown NS (Meath) 2 – 0 Clonmoney NS (Clare)
Scoil Bhride Mullaghrafferty Boys (Monaghan) 4 – 3 Cornafulla NS Boys (Roscommon)
Clonmoney NS (Clare) 2 – 4 Cornafulla NS Boys (Roscommon)
Kentstown NS (Meath) 4 – 7 Scoil Bhride Mullaghrafferty Boys (Monaghan)
Scoil Bhride Mullaghrafferty Boys (Monaghan) 2-2 Clonmoney NS (Clare)
Cornafulla NS Boys (Roscommon) 1-4 Kentstown NS (Meath)
Girls ‘B’ Cup
The talented Galway side Scoil Fhursa held their nerve to come through three nail-biting matches to seal a top podium finish yesterday. The Galway scholars overcame runners-up St. Felim’s NS 2-1 in their opening game.
Another magnificent performance was required to see past Cork girls Gaelscoil Ui Drisceoil 3-1 before they met defending Champions Marshalstown NS in a cracking clash to end proceedings.
Ruby Ní Mhaonaigh, Scoil Fhursa Gaillimh, was named Player of the Match and her performance proved decisive in the final outing with a hat-trick to cancel out Abi Doyle Kinsella’s brace.
Runners up St. Felim’s NS, Ballinagh, Cavan bounced back from their earlier defeat to claim four points in the other two games with a one-all draw against Marshalstown and they came from behind to defeat the Munster stars, 2-1.
Girls ‘B’ Cup
Winner Scoil Fhursa, Gaillimh
Runner Up St. Felim’s NS, Ballinagh, Cavan
Third Marshalstown NS, Wexford
Fourth Gaelscoil Ui Drisceoil, Corcaigh
PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT Ruby Ní Mhaonaigh, Scoil Fhursa, Gaillimh
RESULTS
Marshalstown NS (Wexford) 3 – 3 Gaelscoil Ui Drisceoil (Cork)
St Felims NS Girls (Cavan) 1 – 2 Scoil Fhursa Girls (Galway)
Gaelscoil Ui Drisceoil (Cork) 1-3 Scoil Fhursa Girls (Galway)
Marshalstown NS (Wexford) 1-1 St Felims NS Girls (Cavan)
St Felims NS Girls (Cavan) 2-1 Gaelscoil Ui Drisceoil (Cork)
Scoil Fhursa Girls (Galway) 3-2 Marshalstown NS (Wexford)
‘C’ Cup
Dublin pupils Lusk SNS were far superior to their counterparts in the large schools category. The winners netted 19 goals in three games, only conceding five. Their star student Miki Jachymczak was chosen as Player of the Tournament with his masterclass pitch-side.
Scoil Íosa were worthy runners up collecting two wins in their opening clashes, a 3-0 victory over Scoil Iosagain was followed up by a frenzied 5-2 result against third place stars Scoil Niocláis.
There were a whopping 39 goals converted in this section which left the fans totally engrossed in the action throughout the day.
‘C’ Cup
Winner Lusk SNS, Dublin
Runner Up Scoil Íosa Oranmore, Galway
Third Scoil Niocláis, Cork
Fourth Scoil Íosagáin, Buncrana, Inishowen, Donegal
PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT Miki Jachymczak, Lusk SNS, Dublin
RESULTS
Lusk SNS (Dublin) 6-3 Scoil Nicoláis (Cork)
Scoil Iosagain (Inishowen) 0-3 Scoil Iosa Oranmore (Galway)
Scoil Nicoláis (Cork) 2-5 Scoil Iosa, Oranmore (Galway)
Lusk SNS (Dublin) 7-1 Scoil Iosagain (Inishowen)
Scoil Iosagain (Inishowen) 1-4 Scoil Nicoláis (Cork)
Scoil Iosa Oranmore (Galway) 1-6 Lusk SNS (Dublin)
Girls ‘C’ Cup
Aoife Halley was the ace in the pack for Monaleen NS as the student netted a brace in their opening game against St. Patrick’s NS. Halley was on the score-sheet again for the Limerick side with Esme McDonald adding a third as they saw off the challenge from runners-up Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh.
An impressive first-half display against Scoil Iosagain saw them unbeaten with an equally impressive clean sheet in all three matches.
Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh Gaillimh were also impressive in this section with some lovely football played throughout the afternoon to merit their silver medal.
There was further delight for the Limerick Champions when Aoife Halley was named as Player of the Tournament. A player to watch out for in the future.
Girls ‘C’ Cup
Winner Monaleen NS, Limerick
Runner Up Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh, Gaillimh
Third St. Patrick’s NS, Diswellstown, Dublin
Fourth Scoil Íosagáin, Buncrana, Inishowen, Donegal
PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT Aoife Halley, Monaleen NS, Limerick
RESULTS
St. Patrick’s NS (Dublin) 0-2 Monaleen NS (Limerick)
Scoil Iosagain Girls (Inishowen) 0-4 Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh Girls (Galway)
Monaleen NS (Limerick) 3-0 Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh Girls (Galway)
St. Patrick’s NS (Dublin) 8-1 Scoil Iosagain Girls (Inishowen)
Scoil Iosagain Girls (Inishowen) 0-4 Monaleen NS (Limerick)
Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh Girls (Galway) 2-1 St. Patrick’s NS (Dublin)
Football for All Cup
Defending Champions Catherine McAuley School relinquished their title to a fabulous Scoil Íosagáin, Buncrana side as they managed to claim seven out of a possible nine points on offer.
The Ulster team were value for money with some superb performances from the Buncrana players. The Limerick Institute had to settle for a runners-up spot this season, while 2023 Champions Scoil Eoin of Crumlin netted third.
Newcomers Holy Family School enjoyed their debut season with a great display from all involved.
The Player of the Tournament went to the hardworking John Dean Moran from Catherine McAuley School.
Football for All Cup
Winner Scoil Íosagáin, Buncrana, Inishowen, Donegal
Runner Up Catherine McAuley School, Limerick
Third Scoil Eoin, Crumlin, Dublin
Fourth Holy Family School for the Deaf, Cabra, Dublin
PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT John Dean Moran, Catherine McAuley School, Limerick
RESULTS
Scoil Eoin (Dublin) 3-0 Holy Family School (Dublin)
Scoil Iosagain (Inishowen) 2-2 Catherine McAuley School (Limerick)
Scoil Eoin (Dublin) 1-5 Scoil Iosagain (Inishowen)
Catherine McAuley School (Limerick) 0-0 Holy Family School (Dublin)
Scoil Eoin (Dublin) 0-5 Catherine McAuley School (Limerick)
Scoil Iosagain (Inishowen) 5-3 Holy Family School (Dublin)
