This article is from page 56 of the 2011-07-05 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 56 JPG
THE great work being done at grassroots level in Clare will be highlighted when former Irish internationals and senior Football Association of Ireland (FAI) officials visit the county next week.
20 clubs from across Clare are on the itinerary for the visit which will see the spotlight fixed on the huge popularity of schoolboy/girls soccer in the banner. Football fun days will take place in Kilrush (July 12, 2pm to 5pm), Scariff (July 13, 2pm to 5pm), Lahinch (July 14, 2pm to 5pm) while summer schools will take place at Lees Road Ennis (July 11, 10am to 3pm), Newmarket (July 11, 10am to 3pm) and Shannon Hibs (July 11, 10am-3pm). Also on July 11, Corofin Harps will host a soccer blitz while Moher Celtic will host a 5-a-side competition in Liscannor. The official opening of community facilities at Lisdoonvarna will also take place next Monday (4.30pm) while Sporting Ennistymon will host a football blitz at 7pm.
On Tuesday, July 12, Lees road will be the venue for a Special Olympics football blitz organised by the FAI in conjunction with the Clare Sports Partnership.
Tuesday will also be a landmark day for Lifford AFC with the celebration of the club’s 50th anniversary. The occasion will be marked by a 5-aside football tournament (11.30am) and the planting of a commemorative tree at Lifford’s home ground, Cassidy Park.
Later that day, the FAI festival of soccer comes to east Clare. Sixmile- bridge will be the venue for an under age blitz and skills competition (5.45pm) while the official opening of Tulla United’s astro turf pitch at the Cragg will take place 7.15pm.
FAI summer soccer schools continued throughout the county on Wednesday with aspiring coaches urged to take part in the kick start one coaching education course at Lees Road, starting at 10am.
There will be events at Bunratty’s Woulfe Park (11.50am) and Kilmaley Fern Celtic’s home ground in Tiermaclane at 12.45pm.
The emergence and success of clubs in west Clare will be recognised later that evening with visits to Gallery Park, Kilrush (4pm), West Clare United and Kildysart Celtic at Kilkee astro turf (4.45pm) and St Pats in Kilmihil at 6.20pm.
Clare’s biggest club, Avenue United, will host an underage blitz at Lees Road on Thursday (11am). All kids, coaches and committee members affiliated to Ennis Town are asked to be at Ennis Rugby Club by 1pm for the club’s soccer camp
Shannon Olympic will host a soccer sisters event from 2pm to 5pm. FAI dignatories expected to attend include FAI CEO John Delaney, former players Ray and John Aldridge and FAI President John McCaul.
Connolly Celtic Soccer Club will be the first club in Clare to receive an official visit from the FAI guests, with Chief Executive Officer John Delaney, FAI officials, development officers and coaching staff, as well as football personalities Ray Houghton and John Aldridge amongst the dignitaries on board the FAI tour bus. Connolly Celtic’s FAI club visit is scheduled for Monday, July 11, 10am to 11am at Kilmaley Sports & Leisure Complex.
On that Monday morning, over 130 members of the clubs schoolgirl and schoolboy club, aged 6 to 16, will be participating in a mini soccer blitz event, from 9am to 12pm.
All the clubs trainers, coaches, junior players and parents are invited to attend and assist with providing supervision, coaching, refreshments and support. Lots of fun and excitement is anticipated with photo and autograph opportunities for all.
During the visit, a commemorative plaque will be unveiled by CEO John Delaney to celebrate the FAI visit. A member of the FAI delegation will also draw prize-winners from tickets sold by club members in the weeks preceding the FAI AGM.