Irish FA Super Schools Festival

The Irish FA hosted their biggest girl’s festival of the year this week at the Mallusk Playing Fields. The festival will give over 1,200 girls the opportunity to showcase their talent in 7 a side games

The event hosted by the Irish FA is the conclusion of the 16 FIFA Live Your Goals festivals which have been taking place across Northern Ireland.  The festivals look to raise the profile of girls and women’s football and increase the numbers of females playing football.

Sports Minister, Paul Givan, MLA said: “Today’s event demonstrates the excellent opportunities for young girls and women to get involved in sport and football.  There is no doubt that participating in sport and taking an active interest in health and wellbeing helps to build confidence amongst young people and my Department is keen to support this wherever possible.

“It is very encouraging to see so many young girls and women taking part this festival.

“I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the IFA on this initiative in promoting girls participation in youth football and raising awareness that this is a sport for all to enjoy.”

Selected by FIFA as one of 20 Associations awarded funding for the programme, the Irish FA have given girls the opportunity to learn new skills by participating in small-sided games.  The ultimate aim of the festival day was to encourage more girls to join their local clubs and to play football on a regular basis.

David Martin, Deputy President of the Irish FA said, “The Irish FA are fully committed to girls football, this is reflected in the Irish FA plan “Let Them Play” which was launched in 2015. The plan aims to improve opportunities for girls to play football with schools being a key objective, so I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all teams in today’s competitions. The majority of girls representing their schools today will be learning the game and I hope their experience today will encourage them to join their local club.  The hard work and dedication shown by the coaches and staff is fully recognised by the Irish FA and I would like to thank all the schools that have taken part in this year’s competition. Good luck today.”

The Super Schools Day ran on Wednesday 15^th June at Mallusk Playing Fields.  There was 70 schools participating in the year 8/9 age group with 47 schools completing in the 10/11 are group.  Along with the festival matches there was a fan zone for players and spectators to enjoy which included face painting and games such as cage football, the speed shooter and the bouncy goalkeeper. 

The competition culminated in two very exciting finals, in the year 8/9 competition Glengormley high school narrowly defeated Glenlola Collegiate.  The final in the year 10/11 competition was even closer and had to be separated by penalties were St Joseph’s College, Belfast lost out to Our Lady and St Patricks College, Knock. 

Northern Ireland v Austria

Northern Ireland 0 – 0 Austria

Queens DUB

6.30pm ko

The Northern Ireland U15 team faced another big test with two games against a strong Austrian side in preparation for the U16 Victory Shield in November. Manager Darren Murphy had only one absence from the squad ahead of the games with midfielder Jordan McEneff unavailable. The game was a very tight affair with both sides keeping good possession without any worthwhile efforts on target.  The match started to come alive in the second half with Conor Farrelly penetrating the Austrian defence on a number of occasions.  In the last 10 minutes of the game the match came alive with substitute Christopher Conn was found in the box however he could not get his shot on target.  The Austrian team responded and had their best chance when man of the Match Thierno Bello beat the Northern Ireland defence and shot only for the ball to come back off the post.  Northern Ireland had the better of the final stages of the match however couldn’t get the goal to win the game.

Northern Ireland team: Pengelly, McKeown, Conlon, Glover, D Smith, Warnock, Galbraith, Farrelly, Ferris, McAdorey, Wilson

Subs : McLaughlin, Conn, M Smith, McGarvey, Gallagher, Corbett, McClelland, P McLaughlin

Northern Ireland 1 - 2 Austria

Ferney Park, Ballinamallard FC

1pm ko

The two teams played the second game two days later in Ferney Park Ballinamallard, Northern Ireland made various changes to the starting 11 while Austria stuck with their same team.  This showed in the early part of the game with Austria controlling possession and creating some chances.  However the first meaningful chance of the game came to Northern Ireland when Christopher Conn was put through on the right hand side and only a great save from the Austrian keeper.  It was from a Northern Ireland corner that Austria took the lead, the Austrians cleared the corner and went on a counter attack which allowed Thierno Bello to run clear on goal and slot the ball past Paul McLaughlin.  Northern Ireland responded before half time when McLaughlin was played down the line by Barney McKeown, He turned and crossed for the onrushing Jake Corbett to head into the corner. At the start of the second half Northern Ireland were caught cold with Flavius Daniliuc breaking two tackles inside the box and blasting the ball home.  Northern Ireland pushed hard in the second half with Jordan McEneff coming off the bench and going close at the back post.  The home team pushed hard by lacked the quality in the final third to get the draw.

Northern Ireland Team : McLaughlin, McKeown, Warnock, McClellend, Conlon, Gallagher, Corbett, Galbraith, Farrelly, P McLaughlin, Conn.

Subs: Pengelly, Ferris, Glover, Smith, Wilson, McGarvey.