Barnacarroll Academy makes a successful return

The very successful indoor football programme in Barnacarroll Community Sports Centre made a very welcome this spring after a two-year absence due to Covid-19.

This initiative was started in the complex almost two decades ago by Rene Jaansen and others, and has proven to be an overwhelming success over the years.

In its most recent run, it catered for well over 200 children, including 50 girls.

A simple formula of seven one-hour slots over three nights with same age groups from five- and six-year-olds up to 11– to 13-year-olds, with a dedicated girls only group, works exceptionally well.

Central to the ethos of the programme is the ‘fun’ element and it is incorporated into the official title of the programme the Barnacarroll Fun Football Academy. As soon as the roll call is done, each group is broken up into a number of teams and they play. Head coach of the programme UEFA B Licence holder Michael Collins says that trying to replicate a form of the ‘street football’ that was so prevalent in the past is one of his aims.

"We deliberately don’t use a futsal ball and use all four walls to help our players’ ability to receive the ball and appreciate angles."

Michael has been running this programme since 2011.

Helping Michael look after such huge numbers are coaches Marie Bones, Edel Walsh, Ciara Garvey and James Kavanagh, with further hall support from Grace McGuinness and Pat Connaughton.

The programme runs for 10 weeks in the spring and winter in the fabulous complex that is Barnacarroll Sports Centre.

Michael remarked that those of us who can avail of the wonderful facilities in Barnacarroll should always remember and be grateful for the contribution that Fr. Edward Tuffy made back in the ‘80s building the facility and to the hard-working committee of today that continually keep the hall in such pristine condition.