REVIEW: SFAI New Balance Kennedy Cup Final 2019 Highlights

Thanks to Fulltime Productions, highlights packages from the 2019 SFAI New Balance Kennedy Cup were made available over the festive period via the SFAI’s Facebook page.

With multiple camera angles and commentary, the final between the DDSL and Mayo SL featured on New Year’s Day and can be found HERE

Goals from Kevin Zefi and James McManus ensured the DDSL took home the Kennedy Cup in June, and preparations are already well underway for the 2020 tournament which will take place in University of Limerick from June 9th-13th 2020.

Further highlights from 2019 competition are also available on the SFAI’s Facebook page HERE

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UPDATE: Ursula Scully to go forward for election to FAI Board as SFAI representative

The SFAI Executive Committee have tonight agreed to put forward SFAI Council member Ursula Scully of the North Tipperary Schoolchildren’s Football League (NTSFL) as their nomination for the FAI Board.

As current Secretary of the NTSFL, Ursula will go forward as the SFAI’s representative within the constituency of Schoolboys/Schoolgirls, with representatives of the schoolgirls game also entitled to put a candidate forward.

Ursula has played an integral role in the NTSFL for many years, she has volunteered at the SFAI New Balance Kennedy Cup and SFAI Subway Finals, and was also one of 32 participants to begin the FAI’s Women in Football – Emerging Leaders Programme earlier this month, which was set up in partnership with UEFA and FIFA.

A graduate from the University of Ulster in Food Technology Management, Ursula went on to work with Kerry Group as a Quality Services Manager.

Ursula established her own business in 1999 with her husband and continued her further education by Graduating from University of Limerick with a Grad. Dip in Entrepreneurship Management.

Speaking tonight Ursula said: “I am delighted to be selected by the SFAI to go forward for election to the FAI Board.”

She continued: “Should I be elected by the constituency I will represent all schoolchildren throughout Ireland equally.

“Furthermore, I believe my professional background and skillset will be an asset to the FAI Board should I be elected.”

SFAI Chairman John Earley said: “I am delighted that Ursula is going forward as the SFAI’s representative, and should she be elected from the constituency of Schoolboys/Schoolgirls, I have no doubt she will be a valuable asset to the FAI Board.”

He continued: “Ursula has the full backing of the SFAI Executive Committee, and we will support her fully going forward.

***ENDS***

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SFAI nominee Paddy Dempsey withdraws from FAI Board electoral process

DDSL Chairman Paddy Dempsey,  nominated by the Schoolboy Football Association of Ireland to go forward for consideration for election to the board of the Football Association of Ireland has today withdrawn from the process.

The position became available following the resignation of SFAI Chairman John Earley from the FAI Board last Thursday.

Dempsey, a former UEFA referee and now chairman of the biggest league under the FAI’s jurisdiction with 25,000 players, was unanimously approved at Saturday’s  SFAI Council meeting which was held in the Carlton Hotel at Dublin Airport.

Schoolboys and Schoolgirls are paired in a football constituency for electoral purposes to the FAI Board, with the representatives of schoolgirls football entitled to also put forward their own nominee.

Following his selection on Saturday and in discussion with family and friends Paddy Dempsey has now withdrawn his name from the process.

 “I was honored to be nominated by my colleagues within the Schoolboy Football Association of Ireland,” said Dempsey. “But, on reflection, I now appreciate that because of family and work commitments, I would not be able to devote my full commitment to a role which is sure to be demanding.”

“I recognise that the game and those elected to the Board of the Football Association of Ireland requires a huge demand on their time and energies.

“In the interests of providing clarity, I’m making this decision now so that the SFAI can look for a suitable alternative at the earliest opportunity. I would like to place on record my gratitude to all my SFAI colleagues on council and executive for their support of my nomination and hope they will be understanding of the reason why I must  withdraw my name at this time.”

SFAI Chairman John Earley commented: “I want to thank Paddy Dempsey allowing his name go forward for consideration as a member of the board of the Football Association of Ireland, but we fully respect his decision and the reason behind his withdrawal from the process.”

***ENDS***

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The DRAW – The Full SFAI Skechers National Cup Round of 32 and 16 Draws 2019/20

The draws for the SFAI Skechers National Cup Round of 32 and Round of 16 took place in the Carlton Hotel at Dublin Airport on Friday evening, with five draws in total.

Hosted by John Sharpson, who some will remember from the SFAI New Balance Kennedy Cup, members of Ardee Celtic, Kinsealy United, Skerries Town and Parkvilla, helped with deciding the faith of 160 teams.

The ties, scheduled for the end of January, will feature clubs from up and down the country, and all will be hoping to take another step towards the finals in May.

Below are the draws in total, fixture lists will be added to SFAI.ie in the coming days, and we wish all taking part the very best luck.

U-12 SFAI Skechers National Cup Last 32

Baldoyle United  v  Douglas Hall, Clane United  v  St Kevins Boys (P), Midleton FC  v  Pike Rovers, Westport United  v  Belvedere FC, Corduff FC  v  Southend UTD, Crumlin United  v  Bridge United, St Mary’s  v  Tullamore Town, Killarney Athletic  v  Aisling Annacotty, Mervue United  v  Ardee Celtic P2, Kilmacrennan FC  v  Killorglin AFC, Shamrock Rovers  v  Granagh United, Corbally United  v  St Kevins Boys (sun 3), Athenry FC  v  Maree Oranmore, Mullingar Athletic  v  Freebooters AFC, Thomastown FC  v  Carrigaline, Skerries Town  v  Ardee Celtic P1

U-12 SFAI Skechers National Cup Last 16

Clane United  or  St Kevins Boys (P)  v  Corbally United  or  St Kevins Boys (sun 3), Midleton FC  or  Pike Rovers  v  Athenry FC  or  Maree Oranmore, Westport United  or  Belvedere FC  v  Crumlin United  or  Bridge United, Mullingar Athletic  or  Freebooters AFC  v  Kilmacrennan FC  or  Killorglin AFC, Shamrock Rovers  or  Granagh United  v  Mervue United  or  Ardee Celtic P2, St Mary’s  or  Tullamore Town  v  Corduff FC  or  Southend UTD, Thomastown FC  or  Carrigaline  v  Killarney Athletic  or  Aisling Annacotty, Baldoyle United  or  Douglas Hall  v  Skerries Town  or  Ardee Celtic P1.

U-13 SFAI Skechers National Cup Last 32

Killarney Athletic  v  Evergreen FC, Bellurgan United  v  Mullingar Athletic, AK United  v  Willow Park, Macroom FC  v  Corduff FC, Newcastlewest Tn  v  Kinsealy United, Lakewood Athletic  v  Aisling Annacotty, Corinthian Boys  v  Balbriggan FC, Kilcock Cetic  v  St Josephs Boys, Drogheda Town  v  Westport United, Cherry Orchard  v  Peake Villa, St Kevins Boys  v  Castlerea Celtic, Tralee Dynamos  v  Cabinteely FC, Tramore AFC  v  Clerihan FC, Granagh United  v  Salthill Devon, Illistrin FC  v  Mallow Town, Shelbourne Acad  v  Mervue United

U-13 SFAI Skechers National Cup Last 16

AK United  or  Willow Park  v  Granagh United  or  Salthill Devon, Shelbourne Acad  or  Mervue United  v  Bellurgan United  or  Mullingar Athletic, Cherry Orchard  or  Peake Villa  v  Drogheda Town  or  Westport United, Corinthian Boys  or  Balbriggan FC  v  Macroom FC  or  Corduff FC, Kilcock Cetic  or  St Josephs Boys  v  Newcastlewest Tn  or  Kinsealy United, Lakewood Athletic  or  Aisling Annacotty  v  Tramore AFC  or  Clerihan FC, St Kevins Boys  or  Castlerea Celtic  v  Illistrin FC  or  Mallow Town, Killarney Athletic  or  Evergreen FC  v  Tralee Dynamos  or  Cabinteely FC.

U-14 SFAI Skechers National Cup Last 32

Malahide Utd  v  St Francis (Ath), Clane United  v  Carrick Utd AFC, Southend Utd  v  Mervue United, Naas AFC  v  Cavan Shamrocks, St Kevins Boys P  v  Killarney Celtic, Caherdavin Celtic  v  Corinthian Boys, St Kevins Boys M  v  Clonee United, Mungret Regional  v  Mallow United, Villa FC  v  Evergreen FC, Knocknacarra  v  Lakewood/Carrigaline, Aisling Annacotty  v  Skerries Town, Kingscourt Harps  v  Home Farm, Pike Rovers  v  Leixlip United, Mullingar Athletic  v  Donacarney Celtic, Granville Rangers  v  Castlebar Celtic, Shamrock Rovers  v  Bantry Bay Rovers

U-14 SFAI Skechers National Cup Last 16

St Kevins Boys P  or  Killarney Celtic  v  Southend Utd  or  Mervue United, Mungret Regional  or  Mallow United  v  Mullingar Athletic  or  Donacarney Celtic, Granville Rangers  or  Castlebar Celtic  v  Caherdavin Celtic  or  Corinthian Boys, Malahide Utd  or  St Francis (Ath)  v  St Kevins Boys M  or  Clonee United, Pike Rovers  or  Leixlip United  v  Knocknacarra  or  Lakewood/Carrigaline, Villa FC  or  Evergreen FC  v  Naas AFC  or  Cavan Shamrocks, Clane United  or  Carrick Utd AFC  v  Shamrock Rovers  or  Bantry Bay Rovers, Kingscourt Harps  or  Home Farm  v  Aisling Annacotty  or  Skerries Town.

U-15 SFAI Skechers National Cup Last 32

St Francis (Dub)  v  Cullen/Latn AFC, St Kevins Boys  v  Aisling Annacotty, Moyne Rgrs/Southend  v  Newtown FC, Glenmuir United  v  Emo Celtic, Shelbourne AFC  v  Corinthians Boys, Peamount Utd  v  Mervue United, Merville United  v  Gorey Rangers, Ennis Town  v  Belvedere FC, Cherry Orchard  v  Parkvilla FC, Tramore AFC  v  Balbriggan FC, Midleton FC  v  Bellurgan United, Keadue Rovers  v  Kilcullen AFC, Knocknacarra FC  v  Kildimo United, Ringmahon Rangers  v  Caragh Celtic, Everton AFC  v  Fairview Rangers, St Mochtas  v  Villa Football Club

U-15 SFAI Skechers National Cup Last 16

Knocknacarra FC  or  Kildimo United  v  St Mochtas  or  Villa Football Club, Midleton FC  or  Bellurgan United  v  Ennis Town  or  Belvedere FC, Peamount Utd  or  Mervue United  v  Cherry Orchard  or  Parkvilla FC, Shelbourne AFC  or  Corinthians Boys  v  Tramore AFC  or  Balbriggan FC, Moyne Rgrs/Southend  or  Newtown FC  v  St Kevins Boys  or  Aisling Annacotty, Glenmuir United  or  Emo Celtic  v  Merville United  or  Gorey Rangers, St Francis (Dub)  or  Cullen/Latn AFC  v  Everton AFC  or  Fairview Rangers, Keadue Rovers  or  Kilcullen AFC  v  Ringmahon Rangers  or  Caragh Celtic.

U-16 SFAI Skechers National Cup Last 32

Rock Celtic  v  Portlaoise AFC, Shamrock Rvs (Wex)  v  Villa FC, BBC United  v  St Brendan’s Park, Charleville AFC  v  Cappry Rovers, Shannon Town  v  Gorey Celtic A, Strand Celtic  v  Athenry FC, Avenue United  v  Killorglin AFC, St Marys AFC  v  Ardee Celtic, Mount Merrion  v  Mallow United, Carrigaline Utd  v  Tramore AFC, Kiltimagh Knock Utd  v  Ashbourne Utd, Bellurgan Utd  v  Bearna Na Forbacha, Ringmahon Rangers  v  Stella Maris, Cherry Orchard  v  Crumlin United, Regional United  v  Shelbourne Academy, St Josephs Boys  v  AC Celtic

U-16 SFAI Skechers National Cup Last 16

Mount Merrion  or  Mallow United  v  St Josephs Boys  or  AC Celtic, Carrigaline Utd  or  Tramore AFC  v  St Marys AFC  or  Ardee Celtic, Regional United  or  Shelbourne Academy  v  Charleville AFC  or  Cappry Rovers, Strand Celtic  or  Athenry FC  v  Cherry Orchard  or  Crumlin United, Shamrock Rvs (Wex)  or  Villa FC  v  Rock Celtic  or  Portlaoise AFC, Kiltimagh Knock Utd  or  Ashbourne Utd  v  Avenue United  or  Killorglin AFC, Shannon Town  or  Gorey Celtic A  v  Bellurgan Utd  or  Bearna Na Forbacha, BBC United  or  St Brendan’s Park  v  Ringmahon Rangers  or  Stella Maris.

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UPDATE: SFAI Council Meeting 14th December 2019

The SFAI has today agreed at their Council meeting in the Carlton Hotel at Dublin Airport, to put forward SFAI Executive Committee member and DDSL Chairman Paddy Dempsey as their nominee for the FAI Board.

The seat was made vacant this week after SFAI Chairman John Earley resigned from the FAI board with immediate effect, as confirmed in a statement on Thursday.

Mr Dempsey will go forward as the SFAI’s nomination within the constituency of Schoolboys/Schoolgirls, with the representatives of schoolgirls football entitled to put forward their own nominee.

This will result in one of those two people being nominated by the constituency to go forward to the FAI Board.

Mr Dempsey is a former National and UEFA referee up until 1999, before he returned to Schoolboy football in 2000.

He is currently the Chairperson of the largest Schoolboys’ league in Europe, with 25,000 young players from age seven to 18 years of age.

He is a member of the Schoolboys Football Association of Ireland Executive Committee and Rules Commission, while he is also a member of the FAI Senior Council.

Speaking today, Mr Dempsey said: “I’m delighted to be nominated by my peers at today’s SFAI Council meeting.”

He continued: “The SFAI represents the interests of 31 schoolboy leagues in Ireland, with over 120,000 players under their umbrella.

“Grassroots football is the base for all football in this country, and as the SFAI represents and works on behalf of the majority of grassroots players, representation at FAI Board level is crucial.

“Should I go forward as the representative from the constituency of Schoolboys/Schoolgirls, I will represent all grassroots players, both boys and girls, and their clubs and leagues, with equal measure.”

The SFAI Council meeting followed the draws for the SFAI Skechers National Cup Round of 32 which took place on Friday night.

All five draws covering the U12 to U16 competitions were live streamed, and to date, more than 15,000 people have viewed the streams.

The competition, sponsored by Skechers, has grown considerably in recent years, with the introduction of 40 regional finals to ensure children playing the game at a grassroots level have the opportunity to represent their clubs at both national and regional level.

The SFAI EGM scheduled to take place today was deferred until a later date.

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Date confirmed for SFAI Skechers National Cup 2019/20 Round of 32 Draw

The date for the draws for the National Round of 32 in the SFAI Skechers National Cups has been confirmed.

The draws will take place on the evening of December 13th in the Carlton Hotel, ahead of the SFAI Council meeting which takes place on December 14th in the same hotel.

Up to 160 teams from across the country will be involved in the draw, covering the U12 to U16 competitions.

Just over 1,250 ties have been played so far, and all eyes will be on the draw as the teams progress from their regions to the national rounds.

As has been the case in the past, the draws will be streamed live on the SFAI’s Facebook page, with the times of the draws on the evening of December 13th to be confirmed in the coming days.

Once again we thank Skechers for their continued support of schoolboy football in Ireland – their sponsorship has seen the SFAI Skechers National Cups grow considerably in recent years in terms of the regional competitions and the coverage of the games, including the regional and national finals.

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Thrilling football on show as SFAI Skechers Ulster Regional Finals take place on Cootehill

There was some fantastic football on show in Cootehill last weekend as the SFAI Skechers Ulster Regional Cup Finals took place across Saturday and Sunday.

The opening tie saw Carndonagh FC and Kilmacrennan Celtic do battle in the U12 Final, and it was a single goal that separated the teams at the final whistle.

Ciaran Conaghan netted the all important winner for Celtic when he brilliantly headed home a perfectly deliver cross from the right.

Carndonagh FC, to their credit, pushed hard for an equaliser, but last year’s winners could not find the breakthrough.

In the second Final of the day, Qiuigleys Point Swifts faced Keadue Rovers in the U15 competition, and those in attendance were treated to a cracking cup tie.

Rovers raced into a three goal lead, and looked set for the win, but when QPS pulled a goal back, they were still very much in the tie.

However, a fourth for Keadue ensured they took home the cup, with their football on the day demonstrating the skill and ability of the players involved.

The goalscorers for Keadue Rovers were Michael Curran, Oran Gallagher, Ethan McCaffrey and Aidan Brennan.

The opening day of the SFAI Skechers Ulster Regional Cup Finals was brought to a close by Cappry Rovers and Bonagee United in the U16 showpiece event.

Goals from Daniel Marley and Sean Breen were enough to see Rovers over the line, with the game ending 2-1.

On Sunday Carrick Rovers and Illistrin FC were pitted against eachother in the U13 Final, and the quality of both teams was evident from the first minute.

It was Illistrin that raced into the lead, with Carragher Friel and Fintan Hasson hitting the back of the net, before Carrick pulled one back before the interval.

After that Leanne McGettigan came off the bench to make it 3-1 with a powerful strike, but Rovers again battled back and made it 3-2.

The final minutes of the tie were frantic, but Illistrin held on and added the SFAI Skechers Ulster Regional Cup to the three domestic titles they had already won.

The U16 contest between Cavan Shamrocks and Ballyraine FC brought the weekend to a close, and it was the Shamrocks that were celebrating at the final whistle as they etched out a 2-1 win after extra time.

In what was the tightest of games over the weekend, both teams gave their all, and even in additional time, there was no sense that either team was ready to relinquish their grasp on the match.

However, Cavan Shamrocks proved to have the edge, bagging the winner in extra-time.

A huge thanks to all who attended from Cavan/Monaghan, Donegal and Inishowen, to all at Cootehill Harps for their hospitality, and to the teams and their coaches for making it a weekend to remember.

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Condolences to the family and friends of former SFAI Chairman and DDSL Secretary Fran Ray

We are saddened to confirm the passing of former SFAI Chairman and DDSL Secretary Fran Ray.

Fran, who was also the Honorary Life President of the DDSL, served schoolboy football for many, many years, and all at the SFAI wish to extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Fran, and to all at the DDSL at this difficult time,

Speaking this afternoon, current SFAI Chairman John Earley said: “We are all deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Fran, he was a legend of the schoolboy game and he will be sadly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.”

He continued: “His love of the schoolboy game in this country was obvious, his passion for the SFAI Kennedy Cup every year was clear, and his way with people, amongst all else, was what made him the giant of the game that he was.”

Funeral details will be communicated in due course.

May he Rest In Peace.

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SFAI Skechers Ulster Regional Cup Finals set for Cootehill

The SFAI Skechers Ulster Regional Finals take place this coming weekend, with the CMUL hosting this season’s finale in Sherlock Park, Cootehill.

The five finals will see 10 teams from across the region compete in games from U12 to U16.

Last season Carndonagh FC lifted both the U12 and U13 cups, and this year their U12 side will be hoping to replicate that success when they face Kilmacrennan FC at 11.30am in the opening game of the weekend.

Quigleys Point Swifts will take on Keadue Rovers (1pm) in the second tie on Saturday, and having lifted the U15 cup last term, Rovers will be hoping to make it two in a row at this age.

The third match on Saturday will feature both Cappry Rovers and Bonagee United in the U16 SFAI Skechers Ulster Regional Final (3pm), and if their results to date are anything to go by, there should not be a shortage of goals.

Sunday will feature two finals, with the U13 clash between Carrick Rovers and Illistrin FC kicking off at 12 noon in Cootehill.

Carrick Rovers were beaten in two finals last season, and they will be hoping fortunes change this year, while for Illistrin FC, a defeat in the U13 final last term will no doubt be driving them on.

The U14 tie between Cavan Shamrocks and Ballyraine FC will bring the weekend of SFAI Skechers Ulster Regional Finals to a close, and the Shamrocks will need to be at their best to overcome a Ballyraine side that beat both Cappry Rovers and Bonagee United on their way to Cootehill.

Fixtures:

Saturday November 16th

U12 Carndonagh FC v Kilmacrennan Celtic 11.30am

U15 QPS v Keadue 1pm

U16 Cappry Rovers v Bonagee Utd 3pm

Sunday November 17th

U13  Carrick Rovers v Illistrin 12pm

U14  Cavan Shamrocks v Ballyraine 2pm

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GOALS: Some of our favourite goals from SFAI Competitions in October 2019

Every month we pick our favourite goals from SFAI competitions.

The month of October proved to be another exciting one, with some great goals scored in both the SFAI Skechers National Cup and Subway Championship

Keep an eye on the SFAI social media channels for more video coverage from both the SFAI Skechers Nartional Cup and SFAI Subway Championship.

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