With SFAI Skechers National Cup games continuing this weekend, clubs, leagues and referees are reminded the 2018/19 match sheets are available to download via SFAI.ie

The match sheet can be found on SFAI.ie under ‘resources’ and can be downloaded.

The sheet contains relevant information for game formats and other information.

Check out the resources page on SFAI.ie HERE

With the draw having taken place for the SFAI Skechers National Cup 2018/19, the first and second round fixtures have now been set.

These games will be played over the coming weekends, with the second round to be concluded by the weekend of October 6^th/7^th.

To ensure all those competing this season in the SFAI Skechers National Cups can make appropriate plans, see below the outlined dates for the national competition.

All those involved should note that dates for the latter stages of the regional competitions  – of which there are eight – will be confirmed by each region in the coming weeks.

Added to this, it is useful to remember that some regions play their games on alternative weekends as agreed by the leagues involved in each region.

Furthermore, a full SFAI season calendar will be issued as usual in the coming days.

SFAI Skechers National Cup 2018/19 dates:

• First Round – 15/16 September 2018
• Second Round –  06/07 October 2018
• Third Round –  27/28 October 2018
• Fourth Round –  17/18 November 2018
• Round of 32 –  26/27 January 2019
• Round of 16 –  16/17 February 2019
• Quarter Finals –  09/10 March 2019
• Semi Finals –  06/07 April 2019
• National Finals –  11/12 May 2019

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.

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;