FAI Futsal Dev Prog (Cork)

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UNDER TWELVE

Innishvilla 12 - 9 Glounthane Utd

Innishvilla took on newly formed Glounthane Utd in the u12 section of the FAI Futsal Development Programme (Cork).


Glounthane were well warmed up due to a no show by their opposition for their first game but it was Innishvilla that started the strongest.


Innishvilla were unstoppable in the first ten minutes firing in six goals past Conor Mangan in the Glounthane goal.


James O'Regan was the first to score, converting a through ball. Kevin O'Driscoll, Shane O'Sullivan and Bill Hawkes soon joined him on the score sheet. O'Sullivan and O'Regan both scored again to give Innishvilla a commanding lead.


Diarmaid Ring was Glounthane's key man on the night and the continuous interplay between Ring and Dylan McNamara was simply breathtaking. McNamara teed up Ring for Glounthane's first and Ring slammed it left footed inside the near post. Diarmaid Ring hit two more left footed goals to haul Glounthane back into the game.


Into the second half and Shane O'Sullivan scored the West Cork sides seventh goal but Sam Cronin and then Diarmaid Ring again rolling the ball into the far corner made the score 7-6.


Then three quick goals by Kevin O'Driscoll, Cian Kingston and Bill Hawkes gave Innishvilla a 10-6 lead.


The highly talented Dylan McNamara, an under ten player, got a well-deserved goal to bring it back to 10-7.


McNamara's goal was just reward after turning the Innishvilla defence inside out throughout the game.


Diarmaid Ring converted after being put through one on one with the keeper to make the difference just two goals.


The win was secured for Innishvilla as first Bill Hawkes finished off a fine move and then James O'Regan shot high and hard to the back of the net.


Glounthane's Diarmaid Ring capped a fine performance to slot low past the keeper for his sixth and the final goal of the night.


Glounthane Utd: Conor Mangan, Sam Cronin, Sean Dennehy, Ciaran Finnegan, Darren Hayes, Diarmaid Ring, Dylan McNamara


Innishvilla: Shane Nolan, Liam Dempsey, Luke Field, Aidan Davis, Kevin O'Driscoll, Cian Kingston, Bill Hawkes, Shane O'Sullivan, James O'Regan.


Referee: C. Buckley.

UNDER FOURTEEN
Glenthorn Celtic 10 - 7 Riverstown FC


The game of the week in the u14 section of the FAI Futsal Development Programme (Cork) saw a very impressive and well organised Glenthorn Celtic side up against a strong premier outfit in Riverstown FC.


Glenthorn's driving force was Gary Nolan in the centre of the pitch. Nolan's determination gave Glenthorn the edge and he opened the scoring for the Northside club after just two minutes. James Falvey was soon in on the act too and then two goals from Mark Daly and another from Gary Nolan gave Glenthorn a 5-0 advantage.


Brian Murphy got Riverstown off the mark but Mark Daly replied almost instantly to restore the five-goal advantage. Shane O'Sullivan and Luke Murphy hit two goals to bring Riverstown within three of Glenthorn.


Adrian Conlon's goal before half time gave Glenthorn a healthy lead at the interval.


Mark Daly and Adrian Conlon increased the lead to 9-3 soon after the break. Goals from Brian Murphy made it 9-5 but James Falvey edged Glenthorn further ahead again to 10-5.


Two late goals from Brian Murphy and Dean Granger weren't enough and Glenthorn held on for a well-deserved win.

Riverstown: Drew Long, Owen O'Callaghan, Shane O'Sullivan, Steven Cummins, Owen Brennan, Cian O'Leary, Brian Murphy, David Fradgely, Dean Granger, Luke Murphy.

Glenthorn: Martin Corbett, James Falvey, Gavin Cuneen, Gary Nolan, Mark Daly, Jeffrey Moynihan, Adrian Conlon, Kieran Hourihan.

Referee: A. Hayes.


www.a2zsoccer.com

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United by Futsal
By Greg Demetriou

The first UEFA Futsal Conference has been declared a great success after a three-day gathering in Italy.

Olympic aims
In all, 49 of UEFA's 52 member associations sent representatives to the Italian Football Federation technical centre in Coverciano to take part in the conference. It was the biggest ever coming together of experts in this field of football, which is a sport in its own right with aims of being included at the 2006 Olympic Games.

Developing associations
While countries such as Russia and Spain, winners of the 1999 and 2001 UEFA European Futsal Championship, were present, the emphasis was also on those associations that were still getting to grips with the fast-growing sport, which is played in teams of five with a smaller ball, featuring a pitch that has sidelines and goallines and no height restrictions.

Worthwhile exercise
The Republic of Ireland is one of those emerging countries, although every effort is being made to catch up with the more established nations. Derek O'Neill, the Football Association of Ireland's regional development officer, saw the conference as a "massively worthwhile exercise".

Useful information
He added: "It was a fantastic conference and we picked up a lot of useful information. We are one of the developing Futsal nations and the sport is in its infancy here so any sort of information is valuable."

Guest speakers
There was plenty of opportunity for learning with guest speakers including UEFA Futsal Committee chairman Petr Fousek, international Futsal referee Jyrki Filippu and UEFA technical director Andy Roxburgh. There was also the players' perspective from Croatian international Mico Martic. Away from the presentations, there was a chance for those present to take part in discussion groups where ideas could be shared and contacts made.

Preparing talent
Although the Irish have yet to enter a team in the European Futsal Championship, UEFA's tournament for national teams, or the UEFA Futsal Cup, which features club sides, the aim at the moment is to get as many Irish youngsters playing the game. The emphasis on skill and technique also has benefits in preparing young talent for the demands of eleven-a-side.

Making contacts
"We fully believe in Futsal at the FAI and the conference was an ideal place to make as many contacts as we could," Mr O'Neill added. "We also managed to pick up many interesting ideas about how the game is played."

Plenty of advice
The presence of Javier Lozano, coach of Spain, the reigning European Futsal Champions and Faustino Pérez, who led Playas de Castellón to the inaugural Futsal Cup title in February, ensured there was plenty of advice from the game's leading lights. The benefit of this was not lost on Martic, who explained why the Spanish example is so important. "For the new nations the Spanish experiences are very important as they are for all
of us, so all Lozano's words were like gold.

Encouraging signs
"I hope Futsal is going to become the second sport in the world, near its big brother," added Martic, who was greatly encouraged by what he saw. "For three days, I was speaking with lots of people and all of them love Futsal and really want to see it grow. It was a great conference."

Future hopes
Come the end in Coverciano, there was no doubt that all involved were left focusing on what is a bright future for Futsal. And, with the luck of the Irish, who is to say that in years to come there will not be a representative side from the Emerald Isle competing among the very best.

uefa.com

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Laws of the Game for Futsal

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The FAI Futsal Development Programme (Cork) progressed to u15 on June 25th in CIT as three u15 Premier League teams took part; Avondale United, Wilton United and Coachford.

Paul Maloney broke the deadlock 6 minutes into the clash and was on hand shortly after to give Avondale a 2-0 lead against Wilton Utd. Goals from Andrew Morrissey and Jason Meehan increased Avondale's lead further. Andrew McCarthy opened Wilton's account just before half time. Colm Hanley pulled another back in the second half for Wilton United but two late goals guaranteed the win for Avondale.

Avondale took on a depleted Coachford side in the second game and again Avondale raced into a commanding lead. Goals from Eric Burke, Dominic McHale and Paul Maloney set them on their way. A long-range strike from Brendan Perrott gave Coachford hope on the half time whistle.

Eric Burke scored early in the second half for Avondale but two quick goals from Mark Finnegan and Jason Ring brought Coachford to within a goal of Avondale.

However fatigue took effect on the Coachford side and they conceded late goals from Avondale's Alan Evans and Dominic McHale (2). Both keepers were on form in this game; Peter Hogan for Coachford and Emmet O'Neill for Avondale.

The break and their large squad was to benefit Wilton Utd in their game against Coachford and they'd built up a four goal lead by half time through goals from Darragh Murphy and Kieran Corbett.

The fancy footwork of Brendan Perrott and John Murphy in the second half brought them two goals and then the deficit was reduced to just one after a strike from Mark Finnegan.

Wilton then subbed their entire team with 10 minutes to go and with Coachford not having this luxury Wilton were able to step up a gear. Darragh Murphy, David Keating, Gearoid Maguire and Denis Heelan got in on the act but Coachford never gave up and got two more goals through Mark Finnegan and Jason Ring.

Coachford: Peter Hogan, Mark Finnegan, Jason Ring, Brendan Perrott and John Murphy

Avondale United: Emmet O'Neill, Alan Evans, Eric Burke, Ian Lyons, Raymond O'Keeffe, Andrew Morrissey, Jason Meehan, Kevin Murphy, Dominic McHale and Paul Maloney

Wilton United: David O'Sullivan, Kieran Kelleher, Andrew McCarthy, Mark Soland, Ciaran McCarthy, Colin Hanley, Darragh Murphy, David Keating, Gearoid Maguire, Denis Heelan and Kieran Corbett.

Thursday 26th June saw teams from the Cork Schoolboys League u13 Premier League take part in the FAI Futsal Development Programme (Cork) in CIT. The teams taking part were Wilton United, Leeds AFC and Riverstown.

Wilton United took an early lead in the first game through Paul Mooney and it took Leeds time to settle but they eventually got the breakthrough with Ray McCarthy on the mark. Cian Coleman then put them 2-1 in front. A hat trick by Kenny O'Leary extended the Northside team's lead.

Jason Sexton and OJ Deady pulled 2 goals back late on for Wilton United. The second game was a tight affair as both teams were evenly matched. Wilton were soon in front through Darren Catchpole, Luke Foran equalised soon after for Riverstown.

Goals from Shane Creech and Eoin Quirke gave Riverstown a two goal lead but great battling by Wilton United saw them draw level again, Donal Lynch and OJ Deady on target.

Into the second half and Johnathan Spillane gave Wilton the lead only for Luke Foran to get the equaliser yet again. Eoghan Young scored what appeared to be the winner from an indirect free kick after the Wilton keeper had picked up a header from his own player.

Wilton were having none of it though and Jason Sexton lashed the ball to the back of the Riverstown net to leave the scores at 5-5.

Leeds took on Riverstown in the last game and what a game it was. Luke Foran was again first out of the starting blocks hitting the opener. Ian Cotter got Leeds equaliser soon after and they took the lead through a strike from Cian Lougheed. Eoghan Young's goal left the teams level at 2-2 at the break.

Leeds went ahead by two in the second half through Sean O'Sullivan and Cian Lougheed but further goals from Luke Foran and Eoghan Young brought an end to the scoring in this pulsating game and it finished 4-4.

Wilton United: Darren Catchpole, Donal Lynch, Johnathan Rice Madden, Jason Sexton, OJ Deady, Mark McNally, Paul Mooney, Johnathan Spillane.

Leeds AFC: Kieran McEnery, Keith O'Sullivan, Gavin Murphy, Colin Kearney, Ray McCarthy, Cian Lougheed, Cian Coleman, Sean O'Sullivan, Ian Cotter, Kenny O'Leary, Eoin Quirke.

Riverstown: Craig Leahy, Eamonn O'Connor, Evan McGuinness, James Flinter, Matthew Clifford, Kevin Courtney, Paul Breen, Luke Foran, Eoghan Young, Barry O'Sullivan, Shane O'Rahilly, Shane Creech.

Referee: C. Buckley

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Futsal on the rise
uefa.com

It is the game that Ronaldo credits for Brazil's appearance in the 2002 FIFA World Cup final; a game of skill, speed and goals aplenty. Having helped to hone the skills of generations of Latin American players, it is now making a huge impact in Europe.


Rain stopped play
Futsal was invented by Argentinian coach Juan Carlos Ceriani who was so fed up with rain interrupting practise sessions he was holding at his local YMCA in Montevideo, Uruguay, that he devised a game which, although it had a lot in common with football, also drew on aspects of basketball, handball and even water polo.

Latin lovers
As 'futebol de salao' (literally, 'football indoors'), the game spread throughout South America, with Uruguay's neighbours Brazil forming the first local league, a new set of rules and a governing body, FIFUSA. Generations of Brazilian footballers from Pelé to Ronaldo have grown up playing Futsal.

Ronaldo magic
Indeed, Ronaldo credits the striking skills that he learned in Futsal for the goal which saw Brazil edge past Turkey to a place in the 2002 World Cup final. As the ball came to him, his way seemed blocked by Turkish defenders, but he toe-poked it into the net.

Sublime skill
"Nobody expected me to do it," Ronaldo recalled later. "It's a difficult technique to shoot the ball with the point of the toe, but it was just instinctive, and I owe it to playing a lot of Futsal when I was younger."

Brazil rampant
The first international Futsal contest - a South American only affair - was surprisingly won by Paraguay in 1965, but by the time the first World Championship was held in 1982, Brazil's skills were beginning to show as they took the title.

World class
In 1989, FIFA took control of the game, shortening the name to Futsal and organising the first FIFA Futsal World Championship in the Netherlands the same year. That tournament was also won by Brazil, although in the semi-final they needed a penalty shoot-out to squeeze past Belgium.

European fightback
However, since the first UEFA European Futsal Championship was held in January 1996, Brazil have not had things all their way. Spain won that first European tournament on home territory, and Futsal's popularity kept growing, particularly in eastern Europe where the severe winters make it a natural alternative to football.

Spain triumphant
Having been beaten by Brazil in the 1996 final, Spain turned the tables on their rivals, winning 4-3 in final of the 2000 World Championship in Guatemala. The two nations remain well matched with the skill element of the game proving popular with players. In Spain, more people play Futsal than the outdoor game.

Iberian phenomenon
Spain's national side became the first to hold European and world titles simultaneously, beating Ukraine 2-1 in Moscow in February 2001. Spain's professional league is booming - in 2002, Spanish side Playas de Castellón F.S. won the UEFA Futsal Cup, the sport's first European club competition, against Belgium's Action-21 Charleroi.

European superpowers
But Spain are not Europe's only Futsal superpower. Russia, free-scoring Ukraine and this year's hosts, Italy, are all forces to be reckoned with. The sport first reached Italy in the 1950s, and Futsal players now outnumber footballers four to one. There are more than 2,000 Italian teams and four million players.

Global explosion
Clubs are being formed in France, Germany and Scotland and FIFA and UEFA are campaigning for Futsal to be included in the 2006 Winter Olympics. With 25 million players and counting, Ronaldo will not be the last player to take his Futsal skills to the highest stage.

uefa.com

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Talking Futsal tactics
uefa.com
If you have never seen a game of Futsal, you might think it sounds as simple as 1-2-3-4. After all, how complex can a game be when you can count the number of outfield players in each side on the fingers of one hand? The answer, of course, is very complex indeed.

Limited options
There is not quite as much variety in the shape of a team as in football, but in Futsal a successful team may use any or all of the four most popular formations (3-1, 4-0, 1-2-1, 2-2) in the same match. Futsal is not a game for players who only feel secure in their own few square metres of the pitch.

Right call
And this business of only having four outfield players is not as easy as it sounds either. A coach has to make the right call when using substitutes, both in terms of timing and whether to switch one or two players or replace one outfield quartet with another.

Scientific approach
Slava Mikilyaev, secretary of the Russian Futsal Federation, says: "We know from studies in sports like ice hockey that players can only achieve peak physical performance for a few minutes."

Speedy attacks
In the 2001 UEFA European Futsal Championship, Russia's second quartet led the kind of rapid attacks that helped the team bag more goals in the last five minutes of a game than any of the other finalists.


Players the key
A coach's tactics must start with the players. Belgium's coach Damien Knabben says: "Futsal is a game where mistakes really can be fatal. So no matter what formation you choose to play, the key is to have good players."

Defensive policy
In a game where an error can lead, in two touches, to a goal, the quality of a player's decision-making is key. So some coaches such as Knabben have tried to minimise risk by sticking to a system that players know well (3-1 in Belgium's case).

Technical excellence
Tactical advantage often begins, says Spain's coach Javier Lozano, with technique. "We're playing in reduced spaces with the defender very close, so we can't lose time switching the ball to the other foot. If we're faster in our execution, we can surprise the opponent and increase our chance of scoring."

Multi-talented side
Petr Fousek, chairman of UEFA's Futsal Committee, noted after the 2001 European Championship: "All Spanish players were able to play anywhere - the rotation was amazing." This versatility, coupled with their stamina, enables Spain to use fewer substitutions than rivals.

Regional variations
Different countries have different preferences. The 2-2 and 3-1 systems are popular in eastern Europe, although Slovenia coach Darko Krizman said players and pundits should not get obsessed by formations: "When we defend, all our players try to get the ball, and when we attack, all our players are ready to attack."

Fluid arrangements
Italian coach Alessandro Nuccorini added: "Tactics will play a big part in these finals, but I hope squads don't stick to rigid formations which are unnecessarily defensive. That wouldn't be good for Futsal."

Goalkeeping options
In a team of five, the goalkeeper's role is critical. They can stop up to 20 shots in a game and create goals with accurate throws, as Spain's Luis Amado did in Moscow in 2001. The keeper can also be taken off if the coach sees fit.

Fearless finales
Russia used five outfield players at the end of key games against Italy and Spain in 2001. They did not win either game in normal time, but probably played their most incisive Futsal of the finals. Do not bet against them doing it again.

uefa.com