Soccer scholarship for Duggan
A Kilkenny woman has won a prestigious FAI soccer scholarship for young international players who have the potential to play for the Women’s Senior National Squad.
Karen Duggan, from Piltown in Kilkenny, is no stranger to sporting success. In 2008, she won the FAI Women’s under-19 International Player of the Year.
Now she is one of seven women to win a place in the programme run by the FAI, in association with the Institute of Sport, Student Travelcard and UEFA.
The programme is designed to provide support to the students in a number of ways, including assistance with planning and managing studies through the partnership with the Institute of Sport. It also monitors the girls in terms of physical fitness by providing them with individual strength, conditioning and nutrition programmes, along with some financial assistance.
Grennan girls in
Futsal finals
Grennan College Thomastown took part in the finals of the FAI post-primary schools Futsal Finals on Tuesday at Franciscan College, Gormanston, narrowly losing out on the top spot.
The Thomastown girls overcame St Columbas to win the third place playoff, however.
Schools representing Kilkenny, Tipperary, Donegal and Roscommon challenged for the crown in the Girls Section.
Grennan College were mindful of the fact that Loreto Kilkenny claimed the All-Ireland Girls title in 2009/10. They had their sights set on emulating their neighbour’s successes this season, but it was not to be.
Ciara and Orla Gardiner, Rebecca Walsh and Rachael Murphy were all outstanding in the Leinster Finals.
Competitions commenced in October with schools progressing from county and provincial levels to the All-Ireland series.
Over 7,000 students have taken part in the FAI Schools futsal Initiative inside a three month period in primary and post-primary schools throughout Ireland. Futsal is the official indoor version of football, with an emphasis on improvisation, creativity, technique as well as ball control and passing in confined spaces.
Freebooters wish John well
Freebooters Schoolboys would like to wish Freebooters u-15A manager John McClean a speedy recovery from his recent operation.
Thomastown has Football For All
Thomastown United AFC have become Kilkenny’s first club to establish a Football For All programme
The programme works with clubs to help them become more inclusive to children aged 6-14, of any ability.
“Football For All teams in a network of clubs nationwide will embrace diversity and promote the true meaning of Football For All,” said Oisin Jordan, national coordinator of FAI Football For All.
“This new programme will ensure the inclusion of children of all abilities in the football community in Ireland. Football For All clubs are breaking down barriers by becoming inclusive to all, guaranteeing that all children regardless of ability will in the future will have the same opportunity to play football for their local club.”
Training is at the club on the astroturf pitch on Saturdays from 4.30pm-5.30pm.
