Over 44,000 children took part in the FAI Schools Primary 5s in 2025 - making it a record year for a programme as the National Finals took place in the Aviva Stadium.

Running since the mid-1990s, the Primary 5s is a fun five-a-side format that brings football into schools around the country. This year, 2,060 schools were involved as they catered for boys and girls from 4th, 5th and 6th class, as well as having a Football for All section (for players with additional needs / recognised disabilities).

The National Finals took place on Wednesday, June 11th in Aviva Stadium with six National titles up for grabs amongst the mainstream schools and one National title for the Football for All category. There was also a new participation initiative to provide more football opportunities with a division created for four Football for All schools.

The event will saw 256 children from 30 schools involved, with 32 teams participating in the final stages of the competition following four months of fun-filled nationwide activity. The qualifying schools came through their local County events, Regional and/or Provincial qualifiers to reach this stage of the competition.

Sixteen counties were represented in the home of Irish football with Cork, Donegal and Dublin leading the charge with four representative teams each.

A new addition saw the Football for All participation initiative that had four schools selected to take part. St. Patrick’s Special School, Kilkenny, St. Mary’s BNS, Maynooth, Kildare, St. Columba’s NS, Douglas, Cork and St. Oliver Plunkett NS, Monaghan all accepted the invite to attend.

Everyone was a winner on the day as all 256 players received a medal, while the seven winning teams were crowned FAI Schools Cup Champions in their respective sections as well as a FAI Schools Player of the Tournament accolade awarded in each division.

A brilliant day to cap off a fantastic year for the programme.

2025 FAI Schools Primary 5s National Finals | Roll of Honour

‘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

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

‘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    

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    

‘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 

Girls ‘C’ Cup
Winner | Monaleen NS, Limerick    
Runner Up | Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh, Gaillimh 
Third | St. Patrick’s NS, Dublin
Fourth | Scoil Íosagáin, Buncrana, Inishowen, Donegal    
Player of the Tournament | Aoife Halley, Monaleen NS, Limerick

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 Mc Auley School, Limerick 

Football for All (Participation Initiative)
Leinster | St. Patrick’s Special School, Kilkenny
Leinster | St. Mary’s BNS, Maynooth, Kildare
Munster | St. Columba’s NS, Douglas, Cork
Ulster | St. Oliver Plunkett NS, Monaghan