Kenny Shiels puts Newtownabbey pupils through their paces

The Northern Ireland Women’s team manager, Kenny Shiels, paid a visit to Abbots Cross Primary this week to conduct a training session with the school’s girls’ football team.
By The Newsroom
Published 17th Dec 2021, 11:01 BST
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Shiels, who made history this year to become the first manager to secure qualification for a major tournament with the NI women’s side, helped to develop the Doagh Road school’s players and shared a number of life lessons.

Primary 4 teacher, Miss Andrea Cochrane, who trains the girls’ team, said: “The visit by Mr Shiels gave a great boost to their confidence.

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“This visit proved to be a great inspiration for all of the pupils and really tied in with the school’s motto ‘To be the best I can.”

The Northern Ireland manager was welcomed to Abbots Cross Primary.The Northern Ireland manager was welcomed to Abbots Cross Primary.
The Northern Ireland manager was welcomed to Abbots Cross Primary.

Mr Shiels, who played and managed at a host of top flight Irish League clubs, including Larne, Carrick Rangers and Coleraine, also conducted skills sessions with the school’s Primary 4 and Primary 5 students and participated in a question and answer session with P6 and P7 pupils.

The school’s principal, Mrs Joanne Griffith, said: “We want to say a huge thank you to Mr Shiels for taking time out of his busy schedule to visit the school and for being such a positive role model for our pupils.

“This was a truly memorable and enjoyable event that both the children and staff at Abbots Cross Primary will remember for a long time to come.”

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Related topics:NewtownabbeyCarrick RangersColeraineLarne