Last year's inaugural Cooney Cup was a great success.  The 2015 renewal promises to be equally enthralling and competitive and the East Meath Schools competition will open with some mouth watering match up's in Round 1. 

"..Everyone involved in the GAA, and in sport in general, understands the importance of the schools / club link. It is a vital component to the future success of our clubs and communities, as well as the health and wellbeing of our children. The success of the Cooney Cup last year, and the expansion of the competition  this year to incorporate Corn Cois Farraige, all points to a bright future for our schools and clubs in the East Meath Region.

I would like to thank all our school principals and teachers for their hard work, commitment and preparation fielding teams in their respective competitions. A special thanks to all the clubs for the use of their facilities and hosting matches" said St Pats Juvenile Chairman Gavin Kirby.

St Pats NS Stamullen V St Marys PPS, Bryanstown
Match of the Round will see St Pats NS Stamullen meet the losing Louth Cumann Na Bunscoil finalists  St Marys PPS.    The Stamullen's school Cooney Cup squad is back boned with many of last years wonderful club U12 squad and are led by the towering presence of Aitzal King who plays at midfield.   In the Cumman Na Bunscoil competition they put Duleek Boys NS to the Sword and were very impressive  winners.   Whilst St Pats NS will be one of the favourites for this years competition, they will be meeting a very good team in St Marys PPS who have no less than 5 players to call upon in  Liam Stafford, Sean Horan, Luke Hanan, Oisin Murphy and Caolan Nulty from St Colmcilles  who were part of the wonderful U11′s that won  the Meath U12 Reserve title and who won an incredible 4 U11 tournaments in 2014.    This game should be a brilliant contest and set the standard for this years 2015 Cooney Cup.

Le Cheile Educate Together NS, Mornington V Realt Na Mara NS, Donacarney
In the other two matches Le Cheile from the Marsh Road, Mornington take on Realt Na Mara Boys NS.  The latter failed at the semi-final stages last year to eventual winners Duleek.  This year they will fancy their chances of going one stage further.  They have some strong players to call upon, none more so than Godfrey Ehichoya, Sean O'Donoghue, Ben Maguire and Cian Flynn and one would think they will be tough opposition for most teams in this competition.  Le Cheile for their part can count themselves unlucky last year, losing games by the odd score that seen them fail to make the semi-final.  They will aim to get one stage further this year and have players like James French, Max Russell, Aaron Callagahn, Stefan Bors, Alanah Boland and would suggest they will be no pushovers in this competition.  This Round 1 Games promises to be a close affair.

Whitecross NS, Julianstown V Duleek Boys NS
This promises to be another very close game.   Last years winners of the Cooney Cup were on the wrong end of a comprehensive loss to neighbours St Pat's NS Stamullen in the Meath Cumman Na Bunscoil.  They had a wonderful team last year and whilst they lost to St Pats NS recently there a school not to be taken  lightly and should be a considerable challenge for Whitecross NS.  Whitecross NS for there part always produce good teams.  They ran all the big teams last year close and one can expect the same again this year.  This is a tough opener for both teams and expect another close match in Round 1.

Corn Cois Farraige 2015
Round 1
After the very successful Cooney Cup in 2014, this year's renewal will see a Division 2 competition namely the Corn Cois Farraige.    The winners of this competition will get promoted to the Cooney Cup the following year whilst the bottom team in the Cooney Cup will be demoted to the Corn Cois Farraige competition.   The opening Round ties in the Corn Cois Farraige will see some interesting matches.

St Pats NS/Clonalvey NS (Ardcath) V Gaelscoil an Bhradáin Feasa ( Mornington)
This opening game will surely be an intriguing affair.  The St Pats combination were surprise packets last year winning two and drawing one match in the Cooney Cup that saw them just miss out on the semi-finals.  Both teams met last year on a very wet day in St Colmcilles and between the slipping and sliding that ensued the Ardcath Boys and Girls eventually won out by 1 point in a highly entertaining affair.    This year the Irish speaking school will fancy their chances and are backboned with some very talented players, no more so than the tough tackling Oisin O'Mhurchu, and  Luke Conlan.  At midfield they will be strong with Liam O h'Aolain and Eoin O'Comáin, whilst up front they have a real score getter in  Fiachra Mac an Aba who is sure to cause teams lots of problems.  The  Ardcath/Clonalvy combination will be tricky opposition and under the eye of Brian Carberry won't make it easy for Mornington's Gaelscoil in what should be a very close game.

Scoil Sporaid Naomh NS, Bettystown V St Marys NS, Donore
Last year was a struggle for Scoil Sporaid Naomh in the Cooney Cup but this year one suspects they will be very competitive at this grade.  They have some very good players to a call upon, most notably Christian Finlay, Conor Power, Robert Tanner, Alex Burdis, Josh McLaughlin and Cian Gunning to name but a few and they should be a really  stiff challenge for most teams in this grade.   St Marys for their part should also find this grade to their liking and  have always players who play great football.   This should be a close encounter in the opening round with only a score or two in it at the end. 

Bellewstown/Mount Hanover NS V BYE

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