Kentstown All-Ireland Runners-up

KENTSTOWN NS FINISH RUNNERS-UP IN ALL-IRELAND FINALS AT AVIVA

Thursday 12th June 2025, 14:39 pm

By Paul Holland

The boys from Kentstown NS came agonisingly close to capturing the National title of the FAI Primary 5s at the Aviva Stadium played in glorious sunshine last Wednesday.This was the second successive year for the Meath school to win County and Leinster titles and again make it all the way to the Aviva, when they finished third in Ireland last year.

This time round the skillful Kentstown school produced a classy display in overcoming Munster Champions Clonmoney NS (Clare) with a 2-0 win and were equally impressive in beating Connacht Champions Cornafulla NS (Roscommon) by 4-1. Austin Barry and Oisín Melia showed their experience from last year as both pulled the strings in midfield. However, despite a heroic effort from each of the 8 squad members,Kentstown lost out in a thrilling encounter against Ulster Champions, Scoil Bhríde ,Mullaghrafferty (Monaghan)..

In their opening game the Meath school took on Clonmoney NS( Clare). In the early exchanges, Kentstown's passing interplay provided goal scoring opportunities while Clonmoney 's long throw tactic was proving troublesome. It was Kentstown that took the lead through Kai Phoenix. Max Kearns then doubled the lead with a brilliant finish into the bottom left corner. That left the score at 2-0 at half time. In the second half, Kentstown put in a very professional display of intelligent football and defensive grit with keeper Tomás Melia outstanding in keeping a clean sheet. The game ended up 2-0 to the Leinster Champions, much to the delight of their huge travelling support. 

In the second game Kentstown took on Scoil Bhríde, Mullaghrafferty from Monaghan. Kentstown took the lead through Kai Phoenix but it was quickly cancelled out. Oisín Melia laid off a great pass to set up Kai Phoenix for his second goal of the game. However, the Monaghan side again equalised before getting 2 more quick goals just before half-time to leave the score 4-2 in favour of Scoil Bhríde, at the break. Kentstown started the second half well with Oisín Melia pulling one back. However the Ulster Champions  kept Kentstown at arm's length with another goal restoring their two goal advantage. Kentstown weren't giving up though as Kai Phoenix completed his hat-trick to make the score 5-4. As Kentstown pushed for an equaliser, a more physical Scoil Bhríde side caught them with a counter attack goal and then added a last minute goal from a corner to leave the final score 7-4 in favour of the well organised Monaghan side..

That left Kentstown having to beat Cornafulla NS, Roscommon to secure second place. Kentstown regrouped from their loss and exuded a sense of calmness and control from the off. Dáire Griffin, Oisín Melia and Max Kearns all hit the back of the net in the first half as Austin Barry pulled the strings from the back. In the second half Dáire Griffin scored another goal to put Kentstown up 4-0. Cornafulla struck back though to make the score 4-1. Cian Clarke and Cathal Cummins were sprung from the bench to add a bit of defensive steel and see the game out. And that they did, as Kentstown NS secured the runner's-up spot, one place better than last year- an incredible achievement again . They also had the added honour of their captain Austin Barry winning the Player of the Tournament award.

Drogheda United players Darragh Markey and Conor Kane visit Kentstown NS with the FAI Cup

Copyright © All Rights Reserved