The SPAR FAI Primary School 5s will return to Aviva Stadium on May 17th for Finals Day with 28 schools selected to take part in what promises to be a memorable day.

The SPAR FAI Primary School 5s is a fun five-a-side programme that caters for boys and girls in 4th, 5th and 6th class and participation in the programme has increased a spectacular 196% since 2015 when SPAR took over sponsorship, and this year making it the largest programme of its kind in Ireland.

This year saw 1,081 schools take part with 56,212 students involved. It was also the first year that Special Schools (Football For All element) participated, with 16 schools making the most of the experience.

An Early Bird Draw took place in February with 41 prize winners and more Coach Education prizes to be announced soon. Now, though, the focus is on Finals Day at the Aviva Stadium with students all around the country set to descend on the home of Irish football.

Colin Donnelly, SPAR Sales Director said: “SPAR is very proud to continue to support grassroots football through the fabulously inclusive SPAR FAI Primary School 5s Programme. Over the seven years of our sponsorship, the Programme has grown year-on-year and is now the largest grassroots football programme of its kind in Ireland.

“Our independent network of local community SPAR retailers have been very supportive of this wonderful Programme and its sense of fun and inclusivity, and we are all looking forward to enjoying this year’s finals event in the Aviva Stadium.”

FAI CEO Jonathan Hill said: “It is fantastic that so many children will get to play in the Aviva Stadium on the same pitch that they watch their heroes from the Republic of Ireland team play on. Building that connection from Grassroots Football to the top level is essential and a key part of the 2022-2025 FAI Strategy.

“It is very encouraging to see over 55,000 children take part in the SPAR FAI Primary School 5s Programme this year and the 45% participation of girls stands out, as the promotion of Girls and Women’s Football is extremely important to the growth of the game in this country.

“SPAR have been brilliant partners in developing this Programme over the last seven years and we look forward to working with them to make the Finals Day a huge success.”

2022 Finalists

Football For All
Team #1 Leinster | Catherine Mc Auley N.S., Dublin
Team #2 Leinster | Scoil Chiarain, Dublin
Team #3 Munster | Goggins Hill N.S., Cork
Team #4 Ulster | St Bernadette's Special School, Letterkenny

A' Schools Cup
Boys/Mixed, Small Schools
Connacht | Castlegar School, Galway
Leinster | Ballymurn N.S., Wexford
Munster | Thomastown N.S., Tipperary
Ulster | Scoil Mhuire, Monaghan

Girls 'A' Schools Cup
Girls Only, Small Schools
Connacht | Letterfrack N.S., Galway
Leinster | Ballynacargy N.S., Westmeath
Munster | Kilkishen N.S., Clare
Ulster | Scoil Cholmcille, Donegal

B' Schools Cup
Boys/Mixed Medium Schools
Connacht | Scoil Mhuire gan Smal, Sligo
Leinster | Our Lady's Meadow N.S., Durrow, Laois
Munster | Ballinora N,S., Cork
Ulster | St. Francis' N.S., Donegal

Girls 'B' Schools Cup
Girls Only, Medium Schools
Connacht | St Clares P.S., Leitrim
Leinster | Sacred Heart N.S., Wicklow
Munster | Convent Primary School, Cork
Ulster | Scoil Naomh Comcille, Donegal

C' Schools Cup
Boys/Mixed, Large Schools
Connacht | Gaelscoil de hIde, Galway
Leinster | St. Paul's, Meath
Munster | Summercove N.S., Cork
Ulster | Scoil Mhuire B&C, Donegal

Girls 'C' Schools Cup
Girls Only, Large Schools
Connacht | Scoil Mhuire, Galway
Leinster | Scoil Bhríde, Meath
Munster | St Marys Convent Primary, Tipperary
Ulster | Scoil Iosagain, Donegal

For more information visit www.fai.ie/SPARPrimarySchool5s