Carniny young guns looking forward to Foyle Cup adventure

The lads, fresh back from an exciting trip to Glasgow Rangers, are still training in preparation for the tournament which starts on 16th July and will be held over 5 days.

Manager Jason Hunter attended the official launch and draw last week where he caught up with current N Ireland manager Michael O’Neill.

The boys were drawn against North West outfit Limavady Utd, Trojans and Finn Harps. The boys warm up for the tournament with a friendly against Portadown Youth this Saturday.

One age group down, the Under 9s will also sample some tournament football this weekend when they travel to Craigavon to take part in Playing for the Future’s annual seven-a-side tournament.

The Under 8s will also be playing some tourney football having been invited to take part in and East Antrim football tournament at the end of the month. The tournament is only open to clubs who have a recognised IFA Football Skills Development Centre.

SCHOOLS OUT FESTIVAL

The local youth football club are also making preparations for their Annual forthcoming ‘Schools Out Soccer Festival’ at the end of the month.

The three day festival will start on Monday 25th June to Wednesday 27th June and will be held at Eaton Park from 7pm each evening. Children will enjoy well organised coaching and football delivered by the club’s qualified coaches.

Places are being booked up quickly and if you wish your child to be involved please pick up a registration form from Ballymena Showgrounds, Style and Sport, The Braid Centre or from any Carniny Youth club coach or official. Alternatively contact Linda on 07788548780 or print off forms from the club website - www.carninyyouthfc.co.uk.

The three day festival is reasonably priced at £12 per child with a reduction for additional family members and is open to all children, boys and girls from P1 through to P7.

Former Carniny youth Player and current Ipswich and Northern Ireland Player Josh Carson will be present at the final day of the festival.

AWARDS NIGHT

The club will be holding its annual awards night on Thursday 28th June at the Des Allen suite, Ballymena Showgrounds.

All age groups will be attending from under 10s through to Under 15s. There will be a light buffet meal available on the night and everyone is most welcome. Tickets will be on sale soon and team mangers will advise players and parents when available.

BILLY’S HIGHLAND FLING!

Following on from the club under 10 side’s successful visit as guests of Glasgow Rangers the Carniny secretary, Billy O’Flaherty will be off to Scotland for a week in July where he hopes to meet with several Scottish clubs including BOTH Glasgow giants Celtic and Rangers to set up future links with Carniny.

One programme which particulary interests the Carniny stalwart is the ‘Old Firm Alliance’ which is a schools programme that supports anti sectarianism by Celtic and Rangers and he intends to investigate during his visit having spoken already to the Rangers Community Staff who will be introducing him to contacts for the programme from both clubs.

Although football during his visit will be the main item on his agenda the club secretary intends using his vast professional experience in community work to help provide an educational ingredient to the young people from Carniny during the visits he intends to arrange.