South East FC aiming for Eircom league spot
In August this year the South East Academy will take another leap forward, as part of their continued development of elite players in the south east region, when their recently formed club ‘South East FC’ will affiliate to the LFA and FAI through the Carlow and District Football League. South East FC will then compete in the FAI Youth Challenge Cup, FAI u17 Challenge Cup, LFA Youths Cup and will contest challenge games regularly with some of the leading teams in the country throughout the season. The club intend to be based at Bunclody FC, which is also the FAI Regional Development Centre. Bunclody FC have recently installed International class facilities, including three International class grass pitches, an indoor 3G Astro Turf pitch and superb clubhouse facilities on its 16 acre site and are presently installing a full-size outdoor 3G Astro Turf pitch with flood lights.
South East FC see the coming season as a stepping stone to League of Ireland football, as they hope to compete in the New Under 20 Division of the Eircom League which is due to start in 2008. John Coughlan, Vice-President of the Leinster Football Association and Secretary of the Carlow and District Football League said ”We are delighted to be working with South East FC. It will provide a great opportunity for elite players in the south east to compete at a high level without having to travel long distances, as has been the case in the past. It will also enable these players to receive coaching to an International standard and afford them a real opportunity to play in the Eircom League in 2008”.
Preparations to take the club forward into the Eircom League are already well under way, with management structures and highly qualified coaching staff in place including Pat Purcell who is head coach with the FAI emerging Talent Programme in Carlow and currently working on his UEFA ‘B’ Coaching Licence. Garry Coady holds a UEFA ‘B’ Licence and is an FAI Tutor and FAI regional squad coach while Dutch native Robbert Wagemans is an FAI emerging talent programme coach who holds a Semi-Pro Coaching Licence from the Dutch Football Federation. Seamus Glover who recently completed his UEFA ‘A’ Licence also holds a UEFA ‘B’ Goalkeeping Licence.
Over the last few years, the South East Academy has built up a network of contacts with professional clubs in the UK and Europe. South East FC will maintain these contacts and continue to travel regularly to these clubs in order to provide an opportunity for players to experience different styles of play and coaching methods. During the coming season they will play up to 30 games and will have over 60 coaching sessions.
Pre-season training is now under way in preparation for one of Europe's premier tournaments, the Foyle Cup, in Derry during July and the prestigious Galway Umbro Cup in August. South East FC are currently assembling an impressive squad of players from Carlow, Kilkenny and Wexford, with all having played at representative level while the majority have also played in the DDSL Premier division. They currently have a small numbers of places available and are looking for elite players born in 1990 who are serious about playing soccer. Places are limited so if you are interested or would like further information,
contact Pat Purcell on 085-1336050.
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