Registrations are now open for the 2025 FAI Schools Primary 5s Programme with schools around the country encouraged to get involved.

The fun five-a-side football programme has grown year on year and is now the largest primary school’s programme of its kind in Ireland.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER NOW

Open to boys and girls from 4th, 5th and 6th class, the emphasis is placed on fun, inclusivity and fostering a passion for physical activity, regardless of ability. 

The programme has seven sections to cater for all school sizes (small, medium large and Football for All). There are separate competitions for boys and girls - while girls are also permitted to play in the boys’ competitions.  

The programme boasts a phenomenal 45% female participation rate as well as an increasing interest in the Football for All section (for players with additional needs / recognised disabilities).

In 2024, a record 2,025 schools and 42,064 children took to pitches around the country. Schools are also encouraged run their own in-house tournaments to get more kids involved in football. The in–house competition has seen an amazing 18,924 participants take part, bringing the total number of participants to 60,988 for the 2024 season.

There will be 316 days of football planned in the nation roll-out of the programme across the country. Registration for the programme will close on Friday, January 24th, 2025, and county blitzes will kick off at the start of February so act quickly and sign up online at www.fai.ie/primary5

Winning schools progress from County level to Regional then Provincial Finals, with 28 schools making it all the way to the National Finals, which will be held in the Aviva Stadium, Dublin on Wednesday, June 11th. 

Schedule of Events

Regional
Dublin Finals | April 4 (Girls), April 5 (Boys), DCU Sports Complex
Mid Leinster Finals | April 30, Kilcullen Community Centre, Kildare
North Leinster Finals | May 1, MDL Grounds, Navan, Meath
South Leinster Finals | May 7, St. Patrick’s Boys AFC, Carlow

Provincial
Connacht Finals | May 7 (Girls), May 8 (Boys), Umbro Park, Milebush, Castlebar, Mayo
Munster Finals | May 7 (Girls), May 8 (Boys), Cahir Park AFC, Tipperary      
Leinster Finals | May 14, AUL Complex, Clonshaugh, Dublin  
Ulster Finals | May 14, Monaghan United FC

National
National Finals | June 11,  Aviva Stadium, Dublin