Huge pride in Cloneen after FAI Schools success
The successful Cloneen team was Alanna Slattery, Áine O’Halloran, Bonita Cashin, Catherine O’Neill, Vanessa Meagher, Ruth O’Brien, Louise Kelly and Chanelle Cashin.
There was immense pride in Cloneen earlier this summer, following a fantastic achievement by the girls of Cloneen National School, who came home from the FAI Schools Primary 5s National Finals with a bronze medal after finishing third in Ireland in the All Ireland Finals on the 9th of June in the Aviva Stadium, Dublin.
The girls’ journey to the Aviva Stadium was a long and hugely successful one. Having battled their way through the regional finals, County finals and Munster finals, the Cloneen team earned their place among the best primary school teams in the country at the All-Ireland Finals in Dublin. Both the County and Munster Finals ended in nail-biting finishes, both having being won on penalties.
The national finals took place at the iconic Aviva Stadium on Tuesday, June 9th, providing a memorable occasion for the young Cloneen players as they represented their school and county on one of the biggest stages in primary school football. The girls were cheered on from the sideline by their teachers, their fellow-pupils, family members and members of the wider community.
Coached by Mr Jerry Kelly, the Cloneen team got their All-Ireland campaign off to an excellent start with a 2–1 victory over Kilbeg National School from Meath. Alanna Slattery was the star of the show in that game, scoring both of Cloneen’s goals.
The girls followed this with a hard-fought 1–1 draw against Lankill National School from Mayo, with Áine O’Halloran getting on the scoresheet for Cloneen.
Their final group game saw them come up against Gaelscoil Cois Feabhail from Moville, Donegal, who would go on to win the national title. Cloneen were beaten 2–0, leaving them level on points with Lankill.
A play-off was then required to determine the silver and bronze medal positions. While Lankill secured second place, the Cloneen girls were delighted to claim third place in Ireland, bringing home a superb national bronze medal.
The successful Cloneen team was Alanna Slattery, Áine O’Halloran, Bonita Cashin, Catherine O’Neill, Vanessa Meagher, Ruth O’Brien, Louise Kelly and Chanelle Cashin.
It was a wonderful achievement for the girls, who showed great determination, teamwork and skill throughout the competition. To progress through the regional, County and Munster stages before reaching the All-Ireland Finals was an achievement in itself, and to then finish third in the country made the occasion all the more special.
Their success is also a reflection of the strong sporting tradition within Cloneen National School and the tremendous support the pupils receive from their families and the wider community
For the girls, the opportunity to play at the Aviva Stadium was a particularly special part of the experience and one which they will remember for many years to come.
Everyone in Cloneen National School and the wider community is immensely proud of the team and their achievement. After a journey which took them from the regional stages all the way to the All-Ireland Finals, the girls can now proudly say that they finished third in Ireland — a fantastic accomplishment for Cloneen National School.