On Thursday, July 7, starting at 18:00 the Youth Service of the Diocese of Kerry (KDYS) in partnership with An Garda Síochána is holding its annual football blitz tournament from seven sides.
Organized by Helena Falvi, Youth Justice Officer, Key Service, KDYS and Garda Niamh Corkery, the event will take place at the Georgie O’Callaghan Memorial Park in Caslayland, located at Castleisland Public College.
Applications are invited for teams from the Castland area who are interested in participating.
There are three age categories: primary schools, fourth, fifth and sixth. There are sections for both U-15 and U-18.
The blitz will again be supported by local businesses: Stuart Auctioneers and Castleisland AFC, as well as other volunteers to help coordinate the event.
Teams will consist of 7 to 10 players, and all interested teams are asked to contact Helena Falvi at 085 7878039 or call KDYS Castleisland to receive an application form.
There is a small fee of 2 euros per player. Only rubber spikes will be allowed on the Astro turf, so this is included for both players and coaches. Applications are accepted until 5pm on Monday, July 4th.
Ever since it was founded in 2003 by a retired sergeant. John O’Mahony, the event is one of the most anticipated of the year for young and novice footballers. From the beginning, all 19 years ago, Sergeant. The O’Mahony City League initiative took root because he consulted with the youth of the area before deciding on a format for such a competition that would be based on an inclusive policy.
Over the years, he and the late Georgie O’Callaghan have been in the thick of it from start to finish, assisted and supported by various KDYS officers.
He is now in the safe hands of Helena Falvi of KDYS and Garda Niamh Corkery, and his popularity remains in the age group targeted by the sergeant. John O’Mahony and Georgie all these years ago.
KEY, which runs the KDYS / An Garda Siochána Soccer Blitz, is funded by the Irish Structural and Investment Fund of the EU and the European Social Fund through the Ministry of Justice and Equality.
