Clik here to view.
The trophy is contested by teams representing all of the FAI-ETB Player Development courses countrywide and is named after the former FAI-ETB Course Coordinator in Irishtown who sadly passed recently and who is fondly remembered by colleagues who have honoured his memory in this way.
This year’s final features FAI-ETB Clondalkin against FAI-ETB Irishtown and respective team managers, Harry Kenny and Gerry Davis will be hoping to claim the bragging rights for this year’s edition. Kenny, a four-in-a-row Shamrock Rovers legend and Davis, the current Republic of Ireland Amateur International manager will be hoping that the work they have done with their players during the year will pay off and bring the trophy home.
The FAI-ETB player development courses are delivered by the FAI in partnership with a number of Education and Training Boards throughout the country and provide a unique blend of educational and football development for talented young footballers.
The programme enables participants to train full time while also availing of a sport themed education programme which can yield a potential 400 CAO points for those trainees interested in progressing to third level education. While enabling young players to achieve their sporting potential and in many cases, to develop a career in professional football, it also prepares them for a career in the sports and leisure industry thus enhancing their job prospects and opportunities. The course is free of charge and trainees also receive a weekly training allowance for the course duration.
Player development has been a successful feature of the courses with more than 100 trainees progressing to the SSE Airtricity League in recent years. A significant number of graduates have also carved out full time careers in the UK with players such as Matt Doherty, Kevin Long, Daryl Horgan, Andy Boyle and Enda Stevens also featuring in Martin O’Neill’s recent Senior International squads. All players have acknowledged the opportunity provided by the FAI / ETB Player Development courses and the mentorship provided by the professionally qualified course Coordinators as significant in their pathway to success.
The courses currently take place in Clondalkin, Cabra and Irishtown in Dublin, Castlebar, Dundalk, Limerick, Waterford and in three venues in Cork, namely Blarney, Carrigaline and Ringmahon. Further information and online application form can be found here: www.fai.ie/fai-etb-courses
So, the scene is set for an engaging cup final with many future League of Ireland prospects on show. If recent years are anything to go by, quite a number of Wednesday’s finalists will be gracing the pitches of the SSE Airtricity League of Ireland in the very near future!
