FAI tour calls to Kanturk AFC
KANTURK AFC welcomed the FAI to their club in Kanturk on Sunday last, 12th August.
A large coach made its way to Gurteenard with dignitaries from the FAI, including CEO John Delaney, President Tony Fitzgerald, former Irish international footballers Richard Dunne and Stephen Hunt as well as national ladies footballer Roma McLaughlin.
Chairman Michael O’ Driscoll said he was delighted to welcome the visitors and outlined how the Club is thriving with in excess of 220 schoolboys registered, in addition to the senior teams. “We bought this ground from Cork County Council in 2004 and as you can see the work and effort to develop it is still ongoing” Michael said. “We are the only Club in Duhallow catering for schoolboys soccer and our primary aim is to develop a second pitch for schoolboys only, work is commencing on this project in three weeks time. The new pitch is set to cost €50,000 with a Sports Capital Grant contributing €26,000” Michael explained.
In reply, John Delaney, CEO of the FAI said he was delighted to see that the Club is in such a vibrant condition. “We’re visiting 42 Clubs across Cork this week recognising the great work that’s being done at grassroots level, and it’s absolutely brilliant to hear that there are 220 kids playing at this Club” he said.
He made a presentation of a cheque for €2,500 from the FAI to the club to help in the ongoing work of the club.
He also invited long serving members of the Kanturk club Mick Wall and Mick Driscoll to come along to the international of their choice as a guest of the FAI. He also invited the club to send 50 of the young players to come along to an international of their choice and to meet the players after the game.
Richard Dunne and Roma McLoughlin presented the U16 CSL Division 2 team winners and John Cooke the runner up medals.
Stephen Hunt presented the U12 CSL Division 4 winners medals.
FAI president Tony Fitzgerald presented a plaque to the club on behalf of the FAI.
In return, Michael O’Driscoll and Michael Wall presented Tony Fitzgerald and John Delaney with plaques in appreciation from the club.
The visit was followed by the annual club awards:
AUL premier A Team - Top goal scorer Liam Geaney, Players’ Player of the year Bryan Barry, Manager’s Player of the Year Jordan Fullerton
U16 CSL Division 2 - Top goal scorers Michael Browne and Cathal Broderick, Players’ player of the year Cathal Broderick, Managers player of the year Ronan Cashman.
U14 CSL Division 4 - Top goal scorer Kane Desmond, Players player of the Year Dylan O’Connor, Managers player of the year Shane Carver.
U12 CSL Division 4 - Top goal scorer Szymon Gejzak, Players player of the year Stephen Sheehan, Managers player of the year Jamie Eustace.
All non-competitive teams - U11, U10, U9 and U8 - were all presented with club medals.
The Club Person of the Year presentation was made to Neilus Higgins.
The new season is about to start and the club has the following teams this year:
Premier A Aul Team - Manager Johnny Lynch coaches Aidan Mernagh and Shane Desmond; training Monday and Thursday evening.
Youths Under 17 team - Manager Paddy Hassett, Coaches Neilus Higgins, Paul Nagle and Liam Cashman; training on Wednesday evenings.
Under 15 CSL team - Manager Joe Carver, Coach John Dennehy.
Under 13 CSL Division 3 team - Manager Neilus Higgins, Coaches Declan Lehane and Dan Duane; training Wednesday evenings.
Under 12 CSL Division 4 Team - Managers Adrian Finn and Nathasa Humprey, Coach Jamie Finn; training Tuesday evening.
Non Competitive CSL teams - U11 Manager Shane Heffernan, Coaches Mick Wall, Paul Nagle and Neilus Higgins; training Tuesday.
U10 - Manager Derek Flynn, Coaches Shane Heffernan, Liam Ward; training Saturday evening.
U9, U8, U7 - Managers Kevin Aherne, Liam Ward and John Paul O’Sullivan; training Sunday morning.
Kanturk AFC, U17 fixtures, Sunday 19th August, KO at 2.30pm in Gurteenard V Wilton Utd, league game, referee P. Hayes; Thursday 23rd August, KO at 6.45pm in O’Shea Park V Blarney A, league game, referee H. McGovern.
Kanturk AFC Aul Premier A fixtures, Tuesday 21st August, KO 6.30pm, Mossie Linnane Cup, Macroom V Kanturk in Murrayfield, Referee J. Linehan.
The club want to thanks their main sponsor, Peader from Aspel’s Spar, Kanturk and all their other sponsors that helped during the season; also Sheila Fitzgerald of The Corkman for the wonderful photos and Kanturk Calling for the reports in The Corkman.
Thanks also to all the coaches, volunteers, players and parents.
Upcoming fixtures: