Football Clubs Utd (Nl) Re ort 2024 Trainin and coachln The home nations toumament was held in Pontefract, Yorkshire on Saturday 27 July 2024. Our group travelled to Yorkshire on Thursday 25 July and returned on Sunday 28 July 2024 th Training sessions were held in Downpatiick, Lisburn and Newry on a monthly basis with 13 playera, male and female, of mixed ability levels and from various clubs and organisations. We had used social media outlets and flyer8 sent to all clubs advising of our plans for the incoming year. It was agreed to move the monthly sessions to various locations to make it more amenable to everyone. Each session lasted 2 hours and involved various drills which included basic skills of ball control, passing, heading, shooting and tackling. Most sessions finished with a game designed for the players to put into practice what they had learned from the skills training including one touch and two touch passing and movement. The sessions focused on who suited each position, worked on defending and attacking, set plays and playing as a team. Advi and guidan was provided on healthy eating, and fitness improvement for each player. Fundraisin The players all paid a contribution towards the trip and helped with organised fundraising - Two store collections and a night of the races. Newry Gateway dub made a cash donation to our trip. Yorkshlre Trl The total group of 20 players, coaches and volunteers travelled to Yorkshire on Thursday 25 July and returned on Sunday 28 July. We stayed in a Premier Inn near the ground where the toumament took place. The one day toumament took place on Saturday 2th July. We finished third in the toumament which included Wales, England, Jersey and Scotland. Northern Ireland 1 England 3 it was agony for the Northern Ireland team as they suffered a 3-1 defeat against England. Northern Ireland enjoyed lion's share of possession but were outdone by a strong England team who scored with the only 3 shots on target they had. Overall the team played well with great performances from from in particular Joe, Ryan and
our striker Philip who showed his dass with a clinical finish in the second half to make it 2-1 but we dust ourselves down and take on Jersey in the next game Northern Ireland O Jersey 3 Game 2 for Northern Ireland and it was another defeat against a strong Jersey side who won 3-0 includin9 a wonder goal. Our players performed well but the opposition was quite strong.Two games down and two to play so all is not lost - next up is Wales at 2pm. Northern Ireland 3 Wales 1 It was a great win over the Welsh 3-1 with Philip putting us ahead in the opening minute with a bullet header from an Owen cross from the left. Wales got back on level terms before half time before a Curtis double strike, one a wonderful freè kick,in the second half saw us run out winners. Final score - Northern Ireland 3 Wales 1 Northern Ireland 5 Scotland O Final game V Scotland and it's a comfortable victory 5-0 with Philip scoring a hatrick along wtth one from Curtis and a well taken goal from Michael completing the scoring to see us finish 3rd overall in the competition. Some great performances in this game from Joe "the Duracell Kid. and the defensive 'Rock° Noel at the back. Overall our players were a credit to themselves, their families, club8 and to Northem Ireland as a whole. Their conduct on and off the pitch was exemplary at all times and they returned home a8 winners. Thanks Football Clubs Utd (Nl) would like to thank Mark Summers and his team for organising a fantastic toumament- Thanks to Trevor Waddington for the hospitality - second to none- Thanks to Eamon Rooney coach hire and our friend Joa our driver - nothing was to much problem for Joa.. Most importantly thanks to our players who are just an incredible bunch of young people- they are a credit to themselves- their families and their club8. We would like to thank players families, carers, volunteers and all our sponsors for making this trip possible but most importantty a huge thanks to our players for their dedication arKI commitment during the year stephen Lenaghan Chairperson 31912024