We asking former players to give it a go and one as only to look at referees currently in the Association to show how successful this as been with likes of Decky Grimes, Danny Colton, Kevin Taggart and Wesley Campbell to name a few.
Female referees are require with the development of women’s football and we have Clare Noble and Valerie McManus who currently have refereed three Irish Cup finals between them, so ladies register your name NOW!
Young referees really have a future in the game with likes of Stewart Blair, Tim Marshall, David Anderson, Luke Ormsby, Joshua Porter, John Graham, Damien Maguire and Andy Stevenson only some of those doing well.
The course will take place in the Bawnacre Irvinestown so you can REGISTER your NAME by sending email at fwrefs don’t wait do it NOW! or phone Arnold on 028 66 387972
]]>The referees will be giving a voluntary donation to the Charity and as in previous years this has been their match fee, and the Association Charity Co-ordinationer Valerie McManus has no doubt that members will give it their full support and appeals for the Clubs on the day to also add their support and donate towards National Deaf Children and help make their lives better.
Anyone involved in football wanting to support the Charity should make contact to either Valerie or drop into one of local games on Saturday and speak to the referee at that game.
]]>Football matters first, Manager Declan Grimes had a squad of nine players to choose from with a good mix of youth and experience, in the opening fixture we where up against Mid-Ulster, A good opening performance from deckys boys running out comfortable 3-0 victory with goals coming from Damien Maguire, Peter Connolly and David Hamilton, excellently marshal at the back by Michael Connolly and Roy Beacom with keeper Taggart looking secure.
No rest between matches meant we where pitted straight back in again against Tony Youngs North West outfit. A calm and composed performance from the FWRA seen us record a 2-0 victory, opening goal by player manager Declan Grimes settled any nerves in the ranks and subs Peter Connolly and Hamilton where sprung from the bench just before half time and gave fresh legs to the attack, soon after Peter Connolly gave a good pass into Hamiltons feet and with his second touch thundered in the insurance goal for the victory.
Going into the final match against North East the FWRA only needed a draw to clinch the title the North East needing victory to deny us. The opening exchanges brought a goal for the North East when an uncharchestic mistake by Michael Connelly let in Cecil Foyle for a composed finish beyond the helpless Taggart in goal, this proved to be the spark Deckys team needed to kick start our game, with the temperature of the match rising a shocking late challenge from North East king pin Floyd left player manager Grimes on the “deck” in agony clutching his ankle in pain and leaving Referee Tony Young reaching for yellow when it could have been red, Declan having to be carried off and replaced by sub Hamilton.
With the half time whistle sounding it was all to play for in the second half, the defining moment of the game arrived within a minute of the restart when the lively Hamilton found Michael Connolly with a lovely through ball and the Aghyaran man making up for his earlier mistake with a fine finish low into the corner giving the North East Keeper no chance. The final minutes saw a flurry of yellows for defenders Farrell and Michael Connolly from Referee Young. Decky boys fought like beavers to hold unto the draw.
When the final whistle sounded victory was ours after a great team effort form the lads. Manager Grimes paid tribute to his men for there efforts to bring the title home for 2nd time in 3 years. Well done Declan Grimes, Roy Beacom, James Farrell, Luke Ormsby, Damien Maguire, Kevin Taggart, Peter Connolly, Michael Connolly and David Hamilton for bringing trophy back and special mention to Grimes for all his efforts.
Tradionally FWRA strongest area as they had won annual quiz 13 in a row, the team this year consisting of Arnold Hunter, Jarlath McElholm, Stewart Blair and debut boy Michael Connolly replacing Desmond McLaughlin usually FWRA strongest competitor.
After 3 rounds of questions FWRA looked to be cruising to yet another title before the 4th and final round the now infamous mystery round. This years mystrey round was pictures of English league grounds proved to be tough going for the F&W boys after looking like dead certs we let our lead slip and ended up finishing on the same points as our rivals North West taking us to sudden death shootout with top points scorer on the day for us Michael Connolly being pitted against Paul Larkin of the North West after the opening two questions still on deadlock, quizmaster Neville Cathcart declaring nearest answer will win it in the next question, you could cut the atmosphere with a knife has the whole room held its breath as the two competiors worked out there answers, both men held up there answers Connolly been the nearest answer won it for us to complete a marvellous double.
Well done to Arnold Hunter, Jarlath McElholm, Stewart Blair and Michael Connolly with the debut boy winning the overall indivual top scorer. The team will now head to England in April to attempt win RA title. Chairman Basil Marshall was delighted with the Association success and special mention for Decky Grimes and Michael Connolly
]]>All topics will be covered:
*Footwork & Handling
*Correcting your technique
*Diving (low & high saves)
*Dealing with crosses & through balls
*Perfecting your game
*Distribution (kicking & throwing)
*Shot Stopping
*GK Wars
*Speed & Accuracy Test
We will be using a mechanical Ball Launcher & Inflatable Target complete Speed Gun & Accuracy Targets to assist with several of the courses topics.
The fee for the course will be £30.00 per person and must be paid at registration on the first day.
All ages of goalkeepers welcome, boys & girls.
All goalkeepers attending the course ‘Must’ attend with gloves, shin guards, football boots & the correct training kit (including rain coat).
If you wish to attend this course email Alan@nigoalkeeping.com ASAP as there is a limited number of places available.
Monday 15th - Wednesday 17th February 2010.
Newforge Country Club, Newforge Lane, Belfast
With Goalkeeping Coaches: Alan Simpson, & Michael Dougherty
Monday: 10.00am - 1.00pm (registration 9.30)
Tuesday: 10.00am - 1.00pm
Wednesday: 10.00am - 1.00pm
Issue such as volunteers, funding and raising performance standards of playing and coaching are foremost in many clubs agendas and the Grassroots Development Centre wants to hear from you.
This clinic will give you the opportunity to ask questions relating to the various aspects of running a club within your community. The panel will consist of Council officers and a Sport NI representative.
If you have a specific question you would like to ask or find information about please email malcolm.roberts@newryandmourne.gov.uk
Please email confirmation of your attendance or call 07894614301.
Weds 24th June
7.30pm
Sean Hollywood Arts Centre, Newry
Encompassing all the main leagues throughout the country, from youth football and the women’s game right up to the country’s top flight, the JJB Sports Premiership, the site has been a runaway success and is an essential reference point for anyone involved in ‘the beautiful game’.
The website is the brainchild of Scott Boyde, whose passion for his own club then Newtownbreda FC - saw him launch the club onto the World Wide Web. But hamstrung by a chronic lack of up-to-date statistics, most particularly, fixtures, results and league tables, Boyde set about establishing a comprehensive reference point for not only the Amateur League - his club’s own league - but all the leagues and divisions scattered across the four corners of the country.
Nowadays, nifootball.co.uk offers unrivalled in-depth news, scores, results and tables across an impressive array of football leagues in Northern Ireland. And the establishment of a user’s forum has proved perhaps the most exciting addition to the website, with thousands of players and fans alike, logging on to have their say on the weekend’s shenanigans.
Boyde said: “I have worked for many years in IT and with a bit of spare time on my side, I decided to put my team then Newtownbreda FC on the web. I created a basic site that had some statistics on players, some background info on the team, but mainly the information on the divisions the first and second teams competed in within the Amateur league.”
“As the season progressed, I saw that there was a lack of up to date information on the whole league or if there was anything no one was aware that it existed.”
“Through the IFA I was able to get contact details for some other leagues including, the two Ballymena leagues, Old Boys, South Antrim. With these new leagues I decided at this time to move the information onto a site of its own and nifootball.co.uk was born.”
The nifootball.co.uk website continues to go from strength to strength, with 58,000 visits to the site in the last month, 14,449 of which were unique, totaling 815,494 page impressions.
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