This article is from page 91 of the 2008-10-21 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 91 JPG
“Tell them to wait until next year, until I win it,” he told his grandmoth- er Kay.
True to his word the 16-year-old won the competition in Old Trafford WORN ore
This was no mean feat as he beat off stiff competition from all over Europe, including the German teen- ager that piped him at the post last year.
Now the Killimer teenager is pre- paring to take part in the World
Skills Final, as a result of his win.
The international competition will take place on November | in the Cliff Training ground – the Manchester United and England training ground in Manchester.
Ruairi will also play on the Old Trafford pitch before the Manchester United home game against Hull City, and the winners of the world skills finals will be presented to the fans at half time. With his strong determ1- nation and winning attitude Ruairi’s family and team-mates are hoping that he is among the winners.
Living in Kilmihil with his grand- parents Sennan and Kay Honan (nee Gallagher) who are originally from Burton Street Kilrush, Ruairi is ded- icated sports man.
For the past three years he has made the trip to Manchester to take part in the World Skills Final.
The avid Manchester United fan 1s currently playing with the Money- point under 16 team and has been a constant team member with Mon- eypoint AFC from the under 11 age ea celel oy
Ruairi has won Clare league and Cup medals at various age levels over those years with Moneypoint AFC. Ruairi has also been a member of the Clare County Soccer Squad at various age levels.
His proud grandmother Kaye paid tribute to the young soccer star.
‘He is a great kid and very moti- vated,” she said.
Although he is also a keen golfer
and enjoys chess, Ruairi is now dedi- cating most of his spare time to prac- ticing his skills.
The fifth year student from Kilrush Community College can be seen training alone in the “field in Killim- er’ in the evening and at weekends.
A spokesperson from Moneypoint FC also wished the young soccer player well as he prepares to fly to Manchester with his grandparents on October 31.
And who knows if he wins we might just get another picture and interview.