Children and adults with vision impairments who have been training at Lakewood for a number of years met again for the first time in many months and were delighted to discover the plans from the two host clubs.
Coaches Robert Ryan and Aoife O'Brien will work with players of all ages and hope to develop teams to compete against the two other regional clubs, Mervue United and Bohemian FC.
Erika Ní Thuama, Cork City FC’s Community & Academy Coordinator, said: "It was great to see everyone back training after a long year away. All of the players seemed delighted to be back and enthusiastic to get straight into training. Cork City FC are proud to be involved and hopefully by working with Lakewood Athletic we can help Blind & VI football grow on Leeside."
Fergus Buckley, from Lakewood Athletic, said: "We’ve always supported the Football For All programme and are delighted to start this partnership with Cork City FC on this project. We want the team to feel a part of the club and already have plans to arrange some friendly matches between our mainstream teams and the Blind / VI team in the coming months."
FAI Football For All Development Officer Nick Harrison said: "Lakewood have a perfect size playing area for blind football and have supported this group, a frame football group and hosted a regional blitz for FFA clubs a couple of years ago.
"Cork City FC have always supported any FFA initiatives I’ve suggested from sending ambassadors to events like Shaunagh McCarthy from their women’s teams to hosting their own Amputee team that play in the National league.
"This partnership will really raise the profile of Blind and Vision Impaired football in the region and with the launch of Bohemian FC and Mervue United FC next month, hopefully the game will grow by leaps and bounds in the years to come."
For further information and to become involved as a player, coach or volunteer please call Nick Harrison on 0860472051 or email nick.harrison@fai.ie