A FOOTBALL programme aimed at encouraging young players to make healthy lifestyle choices in a drug-free environment is proving to be an enormous success.
The 12-week ‘Pride of the Parish’ programme teaches modules such as strength and conditioning, endurance, team work and diet and nutrition, in addition to developing players personally around attitude, punctuality, discipline and an improved community spirit.
The Pride of the Parish squad also had the welcome opportunity to play against teams such as Athlunkard Villa and Defence Forces, as well as intercultural teams, and a trip to Dublin in early September proved to be most worthwhile.
The Limerick-based side defeated a Dublin FAI/FAS team, which included several League of Ireland players, and they also took in the World Cup qualifier between Ireland and Sweden at the Aviva Stadium.
Declan Considine, FAI Development Officer for Limerick, thanked Star Rovers for the use of their facilities and also acknowledged a thriving venture for female players.
He said: “We would like to thank Star Rovers for the use of their pitch and wish them a warm welcome back into football. I am sure you will join me in wishing well done also to our Soccer Sisters, which was recently started by Barbara Bermingham in the area. I have no doubt this will prove to be a promising group as 26 girls showed up on its first night.”
Pride of the Parish wish to thank all those who contributed to the John Fitzgerald Memorial Tournament on Saturday August 31 in aid of Milford Hospice, with €592 raised for this worthy cause. A full list of sponsors can be viewed below.
Pride of the Parish would like to thank:
- Limerick Paint Supplies, Pennywell Road
- Dr James Ring, Limerick Civic Trust
- O’Sulivan’s Pharmacy, Grove Island
- O’Sullivan’s Pharmacy, King’s Island
- Pharmacy, Thomondgate
- Launderette, Nicholas Street
- Mace, Nicholas Street
- Launch Bar, Broad Street
- Paddy Collins, Referees’ Association
- Star Rovers FC
- Declan Sheedy, Island Stores
- Irish Pride
- Topaz Garage, Corbally Road
- McMahon Butchers, Athlunkard Street
