Applications Time for Castlisland’s KDYS/An Garda Síochána Soccer Blitz

Garda Community Relations Inter Estates Soccer League winning team captain and top scorer, the late James Coffey, St. John’s Park (right) and Player of the Final, Eamon Sheehy, Cahereens West pictured after the final at An Riocht AC Grounds on Saturday. ©Photograph: John Reidy 12-7-2003

The St. John’s Park Soccer team members and supporters watching their team winning the first Castleisland Garda Community Relations/ Inter Estate League at An Riocht Athletic Club grounds in July 2003. Front from left: Dominic Long, Áine Riordan, RIP; Cathleen Reidy, Evan O’Brien, John Broderick and Emmet McCarthy. Back row: Irene Maunsell, Karen Perfect, Aisling Foran, Dan Maunsell, coach; Robert O’Brien and Billy O’Brien, RIP. ©Photograph: John Reidy 12-7-2003

The Kerry Diocesan Youth Service (KDYS) in partnership with An Garda Síochána is running its annual seven-a-side Soccer Blitz tournament on Thursday, July 18th 2024 beginning at 6pm.

The long running ‘blitz’ is being organised by Chris Brosnan and Helena Falvey, youth justice workers, key service, Kerry Diocesan Youth Service and Garda Niamh Corkery, Castleisland Garda Station.

The event will be held at Castleisland’s Georgie O’Callaghan Park at Castleisland Community College.

Though the league is now celebrating its 21st year of existence, it didn’t manage to mark each birthday along the way and it was as láthair most notably during the cursed years of Covid impositions.

Applications Invited Now

Applications are invited for teams from the Castleisland area who are interested in taking part. There are three age categories: Primary School from fourth, fifth and sixth classes; U-15s and U-18s.

This festival of under-age soccer was founded fadó, fadó by Sgt. John O’Mahony soon after he arrived at his Castleisland posting in early 2003. He sought and found sound and solid advisors in Vincent Murphy and the late Georgie O’Callaghan and Geraldine O’Sullivan, KDYS.

He began his recruitment campaign for teams as early as late March and through April of that year.

First ‘Garda League’ in 2003

The first ‘Garda Estates League’ was run off on the green at still developing An Ríocht Athletic Club grounds at The Crageens on Saturday, July 12^th 2003 and you could bite the excitement it generated.

A mixed team from St. John’s Park, captained by the late James Coffey, won the Garda Community Relations Perpetual Shield; Cahereens West star, Eamon Sheehy won the player of the final award and Desmonds Avenue player, Vivienne Li received the ‘Player of the Tournament award in the presence of her proud nana Maureen Barry.

Afterwards, Sgt. O’Mahony thanked his co-organisers, Geraldine O’Sullivan, KDYS and Georgie O’Callaghan with special thanks to Vincent Murphy Sports and Seán Cooney of the Costcutter Supermarket, Killarney Road.

The 2024 event will be supported again this year by local business Stuart Auctioneers and Castleisland AFC as well as other volunteers who will help co-ordinate the event.

Organisers’ Contact Details

Teams comprise of seven to 10 players. Any teams interested are asked to please contact: Chris Brosnan 086 41341836; Helena Falvey 085 7878039 or Garda Niamh Corkery 085 8838959 or alternatively call into KDYS Castleisland or Castleisland Garda Station for an application form. There is a small charge of €2 per player.

Only rubber studs will be allowed on the Astro turf pitch so this is included for both players and coaches.

Closing Date

Applications must be received by Monday, July 15^th 2024 and by 5pm on that evening.

The greatly appreciated and anticipated project is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union.

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