Kenny pep-talk a real bonus as LFA Youths receive O'Neills kit in advance of FAI Youths Interpros

A brilliant occasion for the LFA Youths class of 23 with a rare privilege of a pep talk from none other that Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny.

On a night when Leinster Football Association President Tony Martin welcomed the players along with parents and manager in advance of this weekend’s FAI Interprovincial Youths tournament which is scheduled to be held at the Athletic Union League Complex in Clonshaugh, the squad were also given an excellent pep-talk by the Republic of Ireland manager who in the throes of planning for upcoming games against Latvia and World Cup finalists France.

By EAMON SCOTT

LFA Manager Terry Butler and assistant manager Aaron Callaghan were accompanied by an experienced backroom staff of Cyril Walsh, Stephen Weafer and Ross Murray when O’Neills presented all the squad players with kit bags and O’Neills product.

It’s a marvellous sponsorship by the leading Irish kit manufacturer and an arrangement that is as enduring as the quality products produced up in their Walkinstown Avenue HQ.

Said LFA President Tony Martin: “We are extremely grateful to O’Neills for this wonderful sponsorship and to Cormac Farrell and to Ivan Halpin a big thank you on behalf of the association and the players and staff of the LFA Youths of 2023.”

The added bonus of a visit to Stephen Kenny’s inner sanctum and tactics bunker was an eye opener for the young starlets and Kenny was able to recall his own pride in being selected for the provincial tournament some years ago.

Ross Murray (LFA Kitman) and Ivan Halpin (O’Neills Sports) at the presentation by O’Neills of the playing kit for the LFA Youths in this weekend’s FAI Youths Interpro series.

Kenny’s words of encouragement and advice were well received and LFA Youths Manager Terry Butler and assistant Aaron Callaghan have a long standing friendship formed over many years at the top end of the game with Stephen Kenny and his welcome and words of advice were eagerly taken on board by the youths.

The visit to Kenny’s enclave was a remarkable insight into the working of a senior international manager and the charts which lined the wall was an indication of the level of application that the LFA Youths can expect to encounter as they move up the ranks in their own playing careers.

Another former Republic of Ireland manager - Steve Staunton - also wore the LFA Youths colours and with a proven record of producing players who go on to stellar careers, the coming weekend’s Interpro series offers all the players the opportunity to put themselves into the shop window - and perhaps follow in the footsteps of the like of Kenny and Co.

Said LFA Youths manager Terry Butler: “That was a brilliant occasion for the players and I’m really grateful to Stephen for being such an ambassador and welcoming the squad into his office. It was a revealing insight and hopefully it will inspire them not just over the weekend but in their own careers and they progress up the ranks.”

Stephen Kenny, third from left with Ross Murray, Terry Butler Aaron Callaghan, Stephen Weafer and Cyril Walsh in Kenny’s office in Abbotstown. Photo: Eamon Scott

Butler revealed that in selecting the squad on duty over 130 players throughout the province had gone through the selection process for the tournament which incidentally was the brainchild of another former Republic of Ireland manager in Brian Kerr. .

“I’d like to thanks all the leagues and clubs who participated in the trials. It’s never easy when the standard is genuinely decent and all those players, their leagues and managers and indeed their parents are to be thanked for their engagement.,” said Butler.

“I’m very happy with the squad that we have selected and everyone included is to be congratulated for their commitment and we look forward to the action over the weekend. It’s a great opportunity and I’m also sure the players will form bonds of friendship that will last for many years to come. It’s a great honour to represent your province and I believe they will do so with a lot of pride and no little amount of ability.”

FAI Inter Provincial Youth Fixture List 2023

Friday March 10th

Connacht FA (Blue) v Ulster FA (Red)                         7pm                 Pitch 11 (Grass)

Leinster FA (White) v Munster FA (red)                     7pm                 Astro

Saturday March 11th

Munster FA (Navy) v Ulster FA (Red)                          3pm                 Pitch 10 (Grass)

Leinster FA (Blue) v Connacht FA (Black)                   3pm                 Astro

Sunday March 12th

Leinster FA (Purple) v Ulster FA (White)                    11am               Pitch tbc

Munster FA (Red) v Connacht FA (Blue)                     11am               Pitch 9

All matches in AUL Complex