Home

Mayo Association League Football

Club of the Year and Soccer Academy

Mayo League introduce ‘Club of the Year’ award

 

The Mayo Association Football League is to introduce a ‘Club of the Year’ award for the 2001 season.

A £600 prize fund will be shared between the top three clubs following the adjudication process – 1st Prize: £300 + Perpetual Trophy;

2nd Prize: £200;

3rd Prize: £100.

Judging will take into account a club’s overall performance, including results, disciplinary record, public relations, co-operation, fair play and development.

It is hoped the award will further encourage clubs to be more professional in all aspects of the game.

The adjudication will be based on a points system. The personnel overseeing the awards scheme will be Tom McDaniel, Tom Kelly and Joe Butler, three officials not aligned to any club.

 

The Mayo Soccer Academy

The Mayo Soccer Academy was set up in September 1998, based at Milebush Park, Castlebar. It caters for the elite under-13 players throughout Mayo and its aims are to foster and develop the skills and talent of the attending players through good coaching techniques.

The Academy is staffed by qualified coaches working on a voluntary basis and it runs every second Sunday from September to June between 9.30 a.m. and 11.00 a.m. Up to 50 players from throughout Mayo attend these sessions and their dedication is second to none. Over the past couple of seasons the Kennedy Cup (under-14) panel has been drawn entirely from the Academy and they have competed with the best in Limerick each June.

The biggest boost the Academy has received to date is the selection of four of its players to the Irish under-14 Development Squad, namely Luke Byrne, Lorcan Rowland, Kevin Dolan and Mark McGreal. This was the first time any Mayo player made this squad and was a massive vote of confidence to all involved at the Academy and they know the challenge is there to prepare players to go on into the full squad. Each September a new crop of players are checked out and clubs are asked to nominate their special players to the Academy in order that no one misses out. Mossy Lally, Brendan Kenny, Johnny Bourke and Peter McDonnell are the full-time coaches at the Academy and we are always looking to people to come in and help out and maybe get involved in coaching. Further information can be obtained from the Academy Directors, Johnny Bourke on 094 – 22049 or Peter McDonnell 087 – 2754392.

back to top