Jimmy Hackett – RIP

We regret to inform you we have been notified by his family that our long time colleague, Jimmy Hackett, has passed away suddenly and unexpectedly this morning.

Jimmy was a long standing member of the SFAI Council on behalf of the Wicklow SL and went on to serve for many years on its Executive Committee representing Leinster.

During that time Jimmy also acted as the SFAI Child Welfare Officer and contributed to the successful staging of many SFAI National Cup Finals, Inter-League Finals and Kennedy Cup Tournaments.

Jimmy served on the FAI Council and various FAI Standing committees.

Originally a member of the St. Anthony’s club in Kilcoole, Wicklow, Jimmy went on to become Chairman of the club as well as giving years of service to the Wicklow SL where he held office as Hon. Secretary and Chairman amongst others.

Jimmy was always a willing and diligent worker and made many friends with his engaging sense of humour and personality, his passing is a shock and sad loss to the football family.

We extend our deepest sympathies to his family and friends on this saddest of occasions.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

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THE DRAW: SFAI Skechers National Cups 2020/21 Draw Complete

The draw for the SFAI Skechers National Cups took place over the weekend, and the full draws for the first three/four rounds is now available on SFAI.ie.

This season has seen a record number of entries in the competition across the five ages, and huge thanks goes to the 422 clubs that have entered almost 1,500 teams.

The competition is scheduled to kick off on the weekend of 17th/18th October, however, this is pending any COVID-19 related restrictions.

Connacht: 

https://sfai.ie/connacht-region-skechers-cup-2020/

Cork: 

https://sfai.ie/cork-region-skechers-cup-2020/

DDSL: 

https://sfai.ie/ddsl-region-skechers-cup-2020/

North Leinster: 

https://sfai.ie/north-leinster-region-skechers-cup-2020/

South Leinster: 

https://sfai.ie/south-leinster-region-skechers-cup-2020/

South East: 

https://sfai.ie/south-east-region-skechers-cup-2020/

South West:

https://sfai.ie/south-west-region-skechers-cup-2020/

Ulster:

https://sfai.ie/ulster-region-skechers-cup-2020/

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SFAI Skechers National Cups 2020/21 Entry Now OPEN

The SFAI Skechers National Cups 2020/21 online entry system has now opened, and will remain open until 30th September 2020.

Supported by Sportlomo, the online system allows clubs to enter multiple teams across the five age groups.

The SFAI Skechers National Cups featured almost 1,500 teams last season, with clubs from right across Ireland entering teams at various ages.

The competition sees teams play in their region, before entering the open draw in the National Round of 32, while the Regional element of the competition sees 40 Finals take place.

Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, the start date for the competition will be later than in previous years – with the opening weekend being fixed for October 17th/18th 2020.

A full calendar of dates will be issued to all league secretaries in the coming weeks.

Clubs wishing to enter can do so by clicking HERE

AGES:

Under 12 (2009)

Under 13 (2008)

Under 14 (2007)

Under 15 (2006)

Under 16 (2005)

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Entry for the SFAI Skechers National Cups 2020/21 to open soon

As the 2020/21 season kicks off for many over the coming weeks, a reminder that entry for the season’s SFAI Skechers National Cups will open shortly.

The 2019/20 season has been unlike any other due to the outbreak of COVID-19, and while restrictions have been lessened in recent weeks, we all must remain vigilant.

As usual, entry will be through the SFAI Skechers National Cup online entry system.

Al league secretaries will be notified as soon as the system is open, while posts will appear across the SFAI’s social channels.

Many thanks for your patience and we look forward to welcoming many of you into the 2020/21 competition.

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Carrigaline Utd clinch SFAI Skechers National Cup for first time while St Kevin’s Boys complete National Cup double

Home Farm FC played host to three superb SFAI Skechers National Cup Finals last Sunday, with St Kevin’s Boys taking home the U12 and U14 titles, and Carrigaline Utd claiming a first ever SFAI National Cup.

Under the current restrictions, the finals were played in a behind closed doors setting, with limited entry for parents/guardians and club officials.

However, thanks to Fulltime Productions, best known for their work on the SFAI New Balance Kennedy Cup, all three games were streamed live.

The day begun with the U12 final between Shamrock Rovers and St Kevin’s Boys.

In what was a thrilling tie, full of great football and chances, it was St Kevin’s Boys that eventually broke the deadlock in the first period of extra-time after the game had ended 0-0.

Paddy Brides header at the backpost gave the local side the edge, and Jake Scott confirmed the result in the second period of extra-time when he netted from close range.

It was a fourth U12 title in a row for St Kevin’s Boys and the club would be celebrating again later in the day.

Next up was the intriguing U16 SFAI Skechers National Cup Final between Carrigaline United and Cherry Orchard.

United had never won an SFAI National Cup, while Cherry Orchard were looking to add yet another national crown to their illustrious record.

The game started at a frantic pace, and Conor Ryder had the Dubliners in front early on, however, Adam Costello equalised soon after.

Mitchell Cassin put the Orchard in front again in the first half, but back came Costello with just minutes remaining to score a wonderful goal from distance to take the tie into extra-time.

The young striker went on to bag his hat-trick from the penalty spot to put United in front for the first time, but Ryan Fahey levelled with a header to force penalties.

Jack Cullen was then the hero for the Cork youngsters, saving three spot-kicks to see the Barry Cup on its way to Carrigaline.

The day of the finals ended with the U14 SFAI Skechers National Cup Final between St Kevin’s Boys and Shamrock Rovers.

A depleted Rovers team scored early, but St Kevin’s were in front before the break, and they added further goals in the second half.

Mark Tarzan Isong netted four times for the winners, while young Leon McClaren came off the bench to score a wonderful goal for Rovers before the final whistle.

Visit the SFAI’s Facebook page to watch the three finals in full.

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FAI Suspends All Football Activity In Kildare, Laois and Offaly Until Further Notice

The FAI has this evening announced the suspension of all football activities in Kildare, Laois and Offaly following announcements from Government earlier today.

The statement from the association can be found below.

Following this evening’s announcement by An Taoiseach Micheal Martin introducing local restrictions in counties Kildare, Laois and Offaly, the Football Association of Ireland is now suspending all football activity in those counties until further notice.

This suspension includes all matches and organised training. The FAI has also called off all INTERSPORT Elverys Summer Soccer Schools in the affected counties for the next two weeks. Full refunds will be made available to all participants.

The FAI would like to apologise for the inconvenience caused and would encourage everyone involved in the game to follow the Government and Health Service Executive (HSE) guidelines.

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SFAI Skechers National Cup 2019/20 season to be completed

The SFAI Skechers National Cups 2019/20 are to resume in August, after the SFAI Executive Committee continued their review of the competition and agreed to the move earlier this week.

Back in September 2019, almost 1,500 teams entered the SFAI Skechers National Cups, but the competition came to an abrupt stop in March when football was suspended due to COVID-19.

The remaining quarter-finals at various ages, all 10 semi-finals, and five finals will be played over the last three weekends of next month, subject to health restrictions.

Quarter-Finals and Semi-Finals will be played on the weekend of 15th/16th August, with any remaining semi-finals taking place on the weekend of 22nd/23rd August. National Finals are set to take place on the weekend of 29th/30th August should all semi-finals be completed prior to this date subject to health restrictions.

In all, there are 20 clubs still in the 2019/20 competition, with St Kevin’s Boys keeping up their incredible record of representation at various age levels.

The Shanowen Road outfit will feature in the U12 semi-finals, travelling to Cork to take on Midleton FC.

The U13 St Kevin’s Boys side will welcome Mervue United to Dublin in the quarter-finals, while their U14 squad will face Cavan Shamrocks in the semi-finals, also at home.

Finally, their U15 team travel to Dundalk to play Glenmuir Utd in the quarter-finals.

Elsewhere, last season’s U12 runners-up Shamrock Rovers will take on a very strong Aisling Annacotty team in their semi-final, with Rovers’ U14’s also in action in the quarter-finals against Castlebar Celtic.

Aisling Annacotty are another grassroots club still well represented at this stage.

Their U13 team will play Kilcock Celtic of the KDUL, while the Aisling Annacotty U14 side play away to Donacarney Celtic in the semi-finals.

Elsewhere, Willow Park of the Midlands SL will welcome Cherry Orchard to their home in the U13 quarter-finals. Corinthian Boys await the winners in the semi-finals, while Midleton FC, with two teams still involved, will play Donegal’s Keadue Rovers in the U15 quarter-finals.

One of the ties of the quarter-final rounds is St Francis v St Mochtas in the U15 competition – with both teams proving to be well equipped at this level.

Meanwhile, in the U16 competition, Kiltimagh Knock United and Shannon Town will play in the quarter-finals, with Carrigaline United awaiting the winner in the semi-finals.

Finally, Cherry Orchard and Villa FC of Waterford play on the opening weekend in the semi-finals, in what promises to be another very competitive tie.

The full list of fixtures can be found below (with exact dates/times tbc)…

U12 Semi Finals (15th/16th August)

Midleton FC v St Kevin’s Boys

Shamrock Rovers v Aisling Annacotty

U12 Final:

Midleton FC or St Kevin’s Boys v Shamrock Rovers or Aisling Annacotty

 

U13 Quarter Finals (15th/16th August)

St Kevin’s Boys v Mervue United

Aisling Annacotty v Kilcock Celtic (TBC)

Willow Park v Cherry Orchard

U13 Semi Finals:

St Kevin’s Boys or Mervue United v Aisling Annacotty or Kilcock Celtic

Willow Park or Cherry Orchard v Corinthian Boys

U13 Final:

St Kevin’s Boys/Mervue United or Aisling Annacotty/Kilcock Celtic v Willow Park/Cherry Orchard v Corinthian Boys

 

U14 Quarter Finals (15th/16th August):

Castlebar Celtic v Shamrock Rovers

Donacarney Celtic v Aisling Annacotty

U14 Semi Finals:

Castlebar Celtic or Shamrock Rovers v Donacarney Celtic or Aisling Annacotty

St Kevin’s Boys v Cavan Shamrocks (15th/16th August)

U14 Final:

Castlebar Celtic/Shamrock Rovers or Donacarney Celtic/Aisling Annacotty v St Kevin’s Boys/Cavan Shamrocks

 

U15 Quarter Finals (15th/16th August):

Midleton FC v Keadue Rovers

St Francis v St Mochtas (TBC)

Glenmuir United v St Kevin’s Boys

U15 Semi Finals:

St Francis or St Mochtas v Cherry Orchard

Midleton FC or Keadue Rovers v Glenmuir United or St Kevin’s Boys

U15 Final:

St Francis/St Mochtas or Cherry Orchard v Midleton FC/Keadue Rovers or Glenmuir United/St Kevin’s Boys

 

U16 Quarter Final (15th/16th August)

Kiltimagh Knock United v Shannon Town

U16 Semi Finals:

Kiltimagh Knock United or Shannon Town v Carrigaline United

Cherry Orchard v Villa FC (15th/16th August)

U16 Final:

Kiltimagh Knock United/Shannon Town or Carrigaline United v Cherry Orchard/Villa FC

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FAI Announce Safer Return To Play Protocol

The Football Association of Ireland recently launched a Safer Return to Play Protocol for all clubs as a cornerstone of the move from cessation to kick-off that will see Adult Amateur, underage National Leagues and Underage football permitted to return to full-contact training, including training games between teams from the same club, from June 29th.

An updated version of the FAI’s Return to Train Protocol has also been published.

All documents and other items can be viewed HERE

FAI Medical Director Dr. Alan Byrne has also answered several FAQs – the video can viewed below…

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FAI Launch Safer Return To Training Protocol

The Football Association of Ireland has today released Safer Return To Training Protocol documents for all Adult Amateur and Under football, including the Underage National League.

Following the latest updates from Government on Friday 5th June 2020, the FAI confirmed the return to training date would be June 15th 2020.

Today, the release of the FAI Safer Return To Training Protocol includes several downloads for clubs, including a Risk Assessment template and a Compliance Officer Role and Responsibilities document.

Clubs should visit the link below and begin downloading and sharing the documents within their club to prepare for a return to training from June 15th 2020.

LINK:  https://www.fai.ie/domestic/news/fai-safer-return-to-training

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SFAI Statement On 2019/20 Competitions

The cancellation of the 2020 New Balance SFAI Kennedy Cup is a decision that is hugely regrettable, but one that ultimately proved unavoidable for the SFAI. We are genuinely disappointed having to make this decision, but in the over-riding interests of player welfare and all who were scheduled to attend, this is absolutely the correct decision at this point in time.

We are deeply mindful of the huge effort and sacrifices made by players, coaches and parents in the lengthy build-up to what is a highlight of the playing calendar and having to cancel is the last decision we wished to arrive at. We are however living in unprecedented times and the COVID-19 Pandemic has touched the lives of so many people, not just here in Ireland, but globally.

The pandemic has caused the death of over 1500 Irish citizens and over 325,000 globally. These are figures we cannot ignore and the protection and well-being of all has got to be our over-riding priority at this time.

The decision has been taken to ensure protection of all selected SFAI Kennedy Cup participants, along with the referees and also being acutely conscious of the strain our on-site medical staff are under at present, safety comes at the top of all priorities and in the interests of public health we believe this is the only appropriate and responsible course of action.

Likewise, the popular SFAI Skechers National Cups and SFAI SUBWAY Championship and Plate competitions have also suffered as a result of the HSE protocols with regard to travel, assembly and rules applying to social distancing. The combined effect has posed an unsurmountable challenge and these too, sadly, have fallen victim to the same decision to cancel.

As an Executive our first priority has got to be a duty of care to the players under the jurisdiction of the SFAI and cognisant of Government and HSE protocols and the rapidly approaching kick-off to the tournament, we were left with no alternative but to terminate plans for this year’s event.

The current coronavirus (COVID-19) has reached global pandemic levels and we, as an amateur body, have to accept that the situation is out of our control and we have to be guided by the professionals and experts in regard to assembly, social distancing and participation in what is a contact sport.

As an Association entrusted with the promotion of football at underage level here in Ireland, this was the last choice we wished to make. The assembly of players, coaches, parents along with spectators to the University of Limerick – given the current pandemic crisis left us with no alterative in the circumstances.

The SFAI however are constantly reviewing our competitions and while the COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc with the world sporting calendar, we are also mindful of an improving environment that will lead to easing of restrictions that have impacted on all our lives.

Should the current ‘Phases’ of lifting of restrictions continue in a positive manner, we are also hopeful of the possibility of a ‘window of opportunity’ opening that might facilitate a rescheduling to ensure that this great competition can be completed.

Predicting a return to sport is problematic in these uncertain times but the SFAI Kennedy Cup – along with our sponsors New Balance, the University of Limerick, the host Limerick Schoolboy League and all our participating partners have worked hard to ensure the continued success of this national competition. If the health of the nation improves and allows for a return to action, we will examine all avenues that might allow the 2020 version go ahead at an alternative date.

We are grateful to all the leagues under the SFAI’s jurisdiction for their support in making this decision. We are also grateful to Dr Alan Byrne, the Football Association of Ireland Medical Director, for a pathway for a Return to Football advice and indeed to the national association for their continued support in these difficult times.

Finally, to all the players and their coaches and mentors, who have worked long and hard in preparation for the SFAI Kennedy Cup, we want to thank you for your commitment and loyalty to your leagues and your clubs. Rest assured, if an opportunity to reschedule the event at a later date arises, the SFAI will not be found wanting in ensuring that no stone will be left unturned in trying to achieve that goal, football will come through this crisis but in the meantime we have all to do our bit in the interest of health and safety to ensure that happens.

John Earley – SFAI Chairperson

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