,

SFAI Skechers National Cup Draw 2018/19

The SFAI Skechers National Cup 2018/19 draw took place last weekend, and the 80 draws have thrown up plenty of intriguing ties.

One of the highlights of the year, the draw is watched closely by teams and clubs up and the down the country – with the first round of games set to take place over the weekend of September 15th/16th (depending on region).

Skechers are again the competition’s main sponsor, and we want to thank them for their continued support of the biggest cup competition in the country.

We are also delighted to announce the launch of the new and improved SFAI website, with Sportlomo, the SFAI’s technology partner delivering a cutting edge platform.

For a full breakdown of the draw click HERE

by
,

Presentation made by SFAI to Jim Warny

Members of the Schoolboys Football Association of Ireland (SFAI), Clare Schoolboys Soccer League (CSSL) and the local community of Ennis gathered in the Temple Gate Hotel on Wednesday evening to honour and recognise the bravery and courage shown by Jim Warny.

The cave diving expert was part of a team of divers who helped rescue 12 Thai schoolboy footballers and their coach from Tham Luang caves in Northern Thailand earlier this month.

Mr Warny played an integral role in the dangerous rescue, at one point carrying the coach of the team to safety, while his knowledge and expertise of diving were also crucial during the rescue operation.

Jim travelled to Thailand as a volunteer, and on Wednesday night he said he was humbled by the presentation, while he was quick to highlight the teamwork that was involved in the rescue.

Speaking in the Temple Gate Hotel in Ennis, where he was joined by his Fiance Asia Mania, he said: “I’m truly honoured that the SFAI would even think of giving me an award such as this”.

He continued: “When I went out there I was out there as part of a team, and although cave diving is often a very individual thing, we all came together as a team to work together – there was a team of more than 1,000 people.

Picture courtesy of Cathal Mullane

“It was all teamwork and I think that is also what the SFAI is about. I appreciate what the SFAI do with young people, teaching them about football of course, but, more importantly, teaching them about important things like teamwork.”

As a volunteer travelling to Thailand, and with so many volunteers giving up their time every year within the SFAI and CSSL, SFAI Chairman John Earley said it was important to recognise his bravery and courage.

He said: “ I think it was very important that the SFAI as an association honoured Jim and that’s what we have done here tonight in conjunction with the CSSL and especially Tommy Molloy who has done a huge amount to help”.

He continued: “Jim helped rescue a schoolboy football team and their coach, and as we all know the football family extends across the world and we felt it only right that he be recognised by the governing body of the schoolboy football in Ireland.

“We are an organisation of volunteers, everyone involved in schoolboy football is a volunteer and to see Jim give up his time to volunteer to travel to Thailand and help in the rescue was truly remarkable.”

Speaking about life since his return to Ireland, Jim said he had already been back diving and was slowly getting used to people recognising him on the street, while he noted an open invitation to return to Thailand at some point in the future.

by
,

SFAI Skechers National Cup 2018/19 entry now open

After a truly memorable 2017/18 season in the SFAI Skechers National Cups, we are delighted to announce the entry period for the 2018/19 season is now open.

We are delighted to confirm Skechers as our main sponsor for another season, and we thank them for their continued support of schoolboy football.

This year’s entry system, created by SFAI technology partner, Sportlomo is fast and easy, with just a few clicks needed to complete your entry.

Last season saw national success for St Kevin’s Boys, Corinthian Boys and Leixlip United, while up to 40 teams claimed SFAI Skechers Regional Cup success.

The SFAI travelled the length of the country to promote games last season, and we will endeavour to do the same this time, promoting as many ties and rounds as we can.

To all those who competed last year, well done on your success, the national cups create memories many players take with them throughout their footballing life.

To enter the SFAI Skechers National Cups just click HERE

by
,

RESULTS: DAY THREE SFAI NEW BALANCE KENNEDY CUP 2018

It was a day to remember for several teams on Wednesday as the quarter-finals took place in all four competitions of the SFAI New Balance Kennedy Cup.

The DDSL booked their place in the semi-finals of the Cup along with Kildare, Cavan/Monaghan and Donegal.

Meanwhile, Galway, Athlone, Drogheda and Roscommon all won in the Trophy.

See the full list of results from Wednesday below and check out the fixtures for Thursday HERE

Kennedy Cup 2018: Donegal 3, Dundalk 2, Quarter Final A; Cork 1, DDSL 2, Quarter Final B;

Kildare 2, Limerick District 1, Quarter Final C; Wexford 0, Cavan/Monaghan 1, Quarter Final D;

Kennedy Cup Bowl 2018: Clare 1, Kerry 1, Quarter Final A (Clare win 4-3 on pens); Inishowen 0, Kilkenny 2, Quarter Final B;

Limerick County 1, Waterford 0, Quarter Final C; South Tipperary 0, Midlands 0, Quarter Final D (Midlands win 4-2 on pens);

Kennedy Cup Shield 2018: SDFL 0, NEC 1, Quarter Final A; NDSL 1, Carlow 0, Quarter Final B;

Limerick Desmond 3, North Tipperary 1, Quarter Final C; Sligo/Leitrim 0, Mayo 0, Quarter Final D (Mayo win 6-5 on pens);

Kennedy Cup Trophy 2018: West Cork 0, Galway 2, Quarter Final A; Athlone 2, WWEC 0, Quarter Final B;

Longford 1, Drogheda 4, Quarter Final C; Wicklow 1, Roscommon 4, Quarter Final D;

by

RESULTS: DAY FOUR SFAI NEW BALANCE KENNEDY CUP 2018

The DDSL will face Kildare on Friday afternoon in University of Limerick in the SFAI New Balance Kennedy Cup Final.

The Dubliners booked their place in the showpiece event with a 3-0 win over Donegal – the goals coming from Jamie Mullins, Thomas Lonergan and Ben Quinn.

Meanwhile, Kildare saw off Cavan/Monaghan in their semi-final thanks to a cracking strike from Aleksander Vassenin and a penalty from Dean Owens.

Elsewhere, both Drogheda and Galway earned their place in the Trophy Final, while Limerick Desmond and the NDSL will face off for the Shield after both put in impressive performances to see them into the final.

In the Bowl competition the Midlands will be hoping to retain their title having lifted the Bowl last year – they will face Kilkenny in that final, while Cork and Wexford will be hoping to outdo each other when they meet in the Plate Final.

See the full list of Thursday’s results below or HERE and check out the finals schedule HERE.

Kennedy Cup 2018: Kildare 2, Cavan/Monaghan 0, Semi Final B; DDSL 3, Donegal 0, Semi Final A;

Kennedy Cup Plate 2018:Limerick District 1, Dundalk 1, 7th 8th Playoff(Dundalk win 4-3 on pens); Cork 5, Limerick District 1, Semi Final A; Wexford 2, Dundalk 0, Semi Final B;

Kennedy Cup Bowl 2018: Limerick County 1, Clare 1, 11th 12th Playoff(Clare win 6-5 on pens); Kilkenny 0, Limerick County 0, Semi Final A(Kilkenny win 5-4 on pens); Midlands 1, Clare 0, Semi Final B; South Tipperary 2, Inishowen 3, QF Losers A; Waterford 0, Kerry 2, QF Losers B;

Kennedy Cup Shield 2018: Sligo/Leitrim 2, North Tipperary 0, 23rd 24th Playoff; Mayo 1, NEC 5, 19th 20th Playoff; Carlow 2, SDFL 0, 21st 22nd Playoff; Mayo 0, Limerick Desmond 1, Semi Final A; NDSL 5, NEC 0, Semi Final B; Sligo/Leitrim 1, Carlow 3, QF Losers A; North Tipperary 2, SDFL 3, QF Losers B;

Kennedy Cup Trophy 2018:Roscommon 0, Athlone 2, 27th 28th Playoff; Wicklow 2, West Cork 1, 29th 30th Playoff; WWEC 2, Longford 1, 31st 32nd Playoff; Drogheda 2, Roscommon 1, Semi Final A; Athlone 2, Galway 3, Semi Final B; Wicklow 1, WWEC 1, QF Losers A(Wicklow win 4-1 on pens); Longford 0, West Cork 1, QF Losers B;

by

DAY FIVE: SFAI NEW BALANCE KENNEDY CUP FIXTURES

The DDSL will face Kildare this afternoon in University of Limerick in the SFAI New Balance Kennedy Cup Final.

The Dubliners booked their place in the showpiece event with a 3-0 win over Donegal – the goals coming from Jamie Mullins, Thomas Lonergan and Ben Quinn.

Meanwhile, Kildare saw off Cavan/Monaghan in their semi-final thanks to a cracking strike from Aleksander Vassenin and a penalty from Dean Owens.

Elsewhere, both Drogheda and Galway earned their place in the Trophy Final, while Limerick Desmond and the NDSL will face off for the Shield after both put in impressive performances to see them into the final.

In the Bowl competition the Midlands will be hoping to retain their title having lifted the Bowl last year – they will face Kilkenny in that final, while Cork and Wexford will be hoping to outdo each other when they meet in the Plate Final.

Kennedy Cup 2018: Donegal v Cavan/Monaghan , at UL 2, 1:00 PM 3rd 4th Playoff; DDSL v Kildare , at UL 1, 3:30 PM Final 1st 2nd;

Kennedy Cup Plate 2018: Cork v Wexford , at UL 4, 12:30 PM Final 5th 6th;

Kennedy Cup Bowl 2018: Kilkenny v Midlands , at UL 3, 12:00 PM Final 9th 10th;

Kennedy Cup Shield 2018: Limerick Desmond v NDSL , at UL 2, 11:00 AM Final 17th 18th;

Kennedy Cup Trophy 2018: Drogheda v Galway , at UL 4, 10:30 AM Final 25th 26th;

by
,

DDSL beat KDUL to claim 32nd SFAI New Balance Kennedy Cup title

A hat-trick for Ben Quinn of Cherry Orchard helped the DDSL claim their 32nd SFAI New Balance Kennedy Cup on Friday afternoon when they beat a strong KDUL (Kildare) team 4-2 in University of Limerick.

The Kildare youngsters took the lead shortly after the start thanks to Aleksander Vassenin, but goals from Quinn and Evan Ferguson saw the DDSL edge ahead in the first half.

At the break it was 2-1 to the Dubliners, and Quinn added a third midway through the second period before Owens reignited the KDUL’s chances with his fifth goal of the competition.

Quinn, who had been a threat all afternoon, then netted his third to make it 4-2 and that is how it stayed until the end.

We will have full highlights of the game and reaction from the winning team later tonight – tune in on the SFAI Facebook page.

That brings to a close the 2018 SFAI New Balance Kennedy Cup competition and we would like to congratulate all those who took part and who helped to make it another huge success.

To the teams who lifted silverware on Friday, notably the DDSL, Cork, Kilkenny, NDSL and Galway, well done on your achievements.

We look forward to next year when another 640 players will compete and enjoy their time at the SFAI New Balance Kennedy Cup.

by