Mayo League
Mayo League News - 7 Dec 2011
By Pat Quigley
7, Dec 2011 - 08:47

Manulla FC have received an early Christmas present this year - their Under 15 player Jesse Devers has been picked to play in Qatar on the 5th and 7th December for the Republic of Ireland U 15 team. This is a major breakthrough for Jesse, who is a very talented player, and he is wished well from everyone involved in Mayo Football.

Coaches Association

The Football Association of Ireland has launched its new Coaches Association. The FAI offers a range of coaching courses beginning from Kick Start 1 and 2 right through to UEFA Pro Licence and sees the Coaches Association as a vital component for future success. Nationally, the FAI has almost 28,000 registered coaches and this number has been increasing steadily year on year as clubs and leagues recognise the benefits of quality coaching in player development.

The FAI Coaches Association will provide coaches of all levels with access to useful and insightful coaching tips and advice, including session plans (technical, tactical and fitness), video content and interviews. Membership will also include access to a top class Session Planning Software package that allows Coaches design and print their own Session Plans - this software is used by Chelsea, West Ham and Fulham amongst others.

Membership will cost €44.99 per year, including the Software. The cost of membership works out at 12 cents a day and the FAI is committed to providing value for money to its coaches as the service develops over the coming months and years.

Membership sign up will be available through the FAI Coaches Association website at www.fai.ie/coaching which will go live from 2pm Thursday, 1st December.

Note to picture editors: A picture from the launch of the Coaches Association which includes Republic of Ireland Senior International Manager, Giovanni Trapattoni and Irish U19 Head Coach, Paul Doolin will be sent separately courtesy of Sportsfile.

Trapp's contract renewed

The Football Association of Ireland announced (November 29) that it has agreed a new contract with Giovanni Trapattoni and Marco Tardelli which will run from July 2012 for the FIFA World Cup 2014 campaign.

Denis O'Brien has agreed to continue his generous support to the FAI which has enabled the new agreement with Giovanni Trapattoni.

Announcing the new contract, Chief Executive of the Football Association of Ireland, John Delaney said,

"On behalf of the FAI Board of management, we are very happy to agree a contract extension with Giovanni Trapattoni and his team of Marco Tardelli and Fausto Rossi. They have done fantastic work with the squad, bringing us to qualification for a major tournament for the first time in ten years, increasing our world ranking to 21st and introducing many new players for the future. Giovanni's experience, professionalism and achievement in qualifying for EURO 2012 has impressed everyone including the players and the FAI Board.

"The FAI Board of Management are particularly grateful to Denis O'Brien for his continuing contribution which gives the Irish team and supporters the benefit of Giovanni's services into the next World Cup campaign."

Welcoming the announcement, FAI President, Paddy McCaul said,

"I am delighted that we have been able to retain the services of Giovanni Trapattoni. He brings a wealth of experience and a great working relationship with the FAI and the players. The fact that we have gone into the last two campaigns as third seeds and have finished second in both, as well as being seeded for the play-offs in EURO campaign, speaks volumes about his ability to deliver. I would like to congratulate Giovanni, Marco and Fausto on this renewed appointment and thank Denis O'Brien for his continued generosity."

Speaking today, Republic of Ireland manager, Giovanni Trapattoni said,

"I am very happy to continue my job with the FAI. I have always said that Marco and I believe very strongly in the work that we are doing to grow and develop the Irish team. It is a huge honour and a privilege to represent the Irish team and we look forward to continuing this important task."

Welcoming the new agreement, Denis O'Brien stated,

"Giovanni Trapattoni has done a tremendous job in bringing Ireland to qualification for the Euros for the first time since 1988. His professionalism, experience and close working relationship with the players has developed a squad which has grown in self-belief and determination. The squad is showing plenty of potential for further improvement during the coming campaign. I am delighted to continue my partnership with the FAI, Giovanni Trapattoni and the Irish squad."

Ticket allocations for Irish supporters

In order to distribute tickets fairly to supporters during the UEFA EURO 2012 championships, an FAI Fan Sales Portal will be set up on www.uefa.com from December 12th 2011 until February 29th 2012.

Those entitled to apply for tickets through this portal will include:

1. Supporters who have attended away matches during the EURO 2012 qualifying campaign.
2. Vantage Club Members
3. Current Season Ticket Holders (Season 2011/2012)
4. Active Block Bookers
Please note: Clubs, leagues and affiliates who have a ticket allocation with the FAI will be contacted by the FAI separately.

In total there are more than 6,500 individuals in these groups and each person will be entitled to apply for a maximum of two tickets per person for each of the group stage matches involving the Republic of Ireland in UEFA EURO 2012, as well as the knock-out stages of the tournament should Ireland progress.

How do I apply?

If you are entitled to apply for tickets by falling into the categories above, you will be contacted by the FAI during the week commencing December 5th and ending December 9th. You will be provided with a password that will allow you to log on to the FAI Fan Sales Portal on www.uefa.com

This portal will open on Monday December 12th @ 9am and will close on February 29th 2012 @ midnight. The FAI Fan Sales Portal on www.uefa.com will invite you to apply by registering your information and providing payment details.

Please note that applications on this portal are not made on a first come, first served basis so it is sufficient to register and apply any time between December 12th 2011 and February 29th 2012.

A maximum of two tickets per match can be requested by each applicant.

If your application is successful, your payment will be deducted and you will be notified by March 15th 2012 as to the success of your application and beakdown of tickets.

Please note that Terms & Conditions will apply to the FAI Fan Sales Portal and will be available online once the portal opens.

NB Applicants will be given the option to apply for tickets for Quarter-Final, Semi-Final & Final tickets should Ireland qualify for these rounds. Successful applicants for the above will receive match Tickets for the Group Stage fixtures, and then Vouchers for the knock-out stages which can be redeemed prior to match day should Ireland qualify for that particular match. If Ireland are eliminated at any stage the applicant will be refunded the appropriate amount and their Vouchers rendered invalid.

If you do not fall into the above categories, there are three further options available:

1) Book packages through Abbey Travel, the FAI's official travel partner.

2) Book packages through Thomson Sport, the licensed travel partner of UEFA EURO 2012.

3) Apply through the UEFA European Re-sale portal which redistributes tickets based on availaibility of returns.