Information on Girl’s football

Lewis Steele Article On SKFC

Kevin’s Boys Club in Dublin has nurtured stars like Liam Brady, Damien Duff and Ian Harte for the national team… Now, Brighton’s teenage striker Evan Ferguson is being compared to Wayne Rooney

  • Ferguson, 18, is enjoying a breakthrough season in the Premier League
  • He is just the latest on a long conveyor belt of talent to emerge from St Kevin’s
  • football club in north Dublin has seen several players reach the top level  
  • Early Harry Potter films come to mind when discussing Evan Ferguson with Dublin’s locals but it’s Game of Thrones that Ireland’s coaches would prefer to speak about.
  • The 18-year-old Brighton forward might be the poster boy revered by all in the profession but is just one heir to the throne in a class of young players full of ‘fire and ice’, according to boss Stephen Kenny.
  • Dreaming of a golden generation has long felt as far-fetched as the aforementioned science-fiction hits but, as Ireland launched their Euro 2024 quest, Kenny’s Kids promised to create a magical true story. After going toe to toe with France, why not believe?
  • Hosting Didier Deschamps’ World Cup runners-up on Monday came two years to the day after Ireland’s lowest ebb in recent memory, a home defeat to lowly Luxembourg after a bruising loss in Serbia which all but ended World Cup hopes after two qualifying games.
  • Kenny vowed before the visit of Kylian Mbappe and Co to fight with ‘fire and ice’ rather than ‘accepting a slow death’, referring to their feeble Qatar qualification quest. And although their first battle ended in defeat to France, the future is bright for the valiant Boys In Green.
  • Much of that is thanks to the hard-working coaches and volunteers at St Kevin’s Football Club in north Dublin, Ireland’s talent factory which has produced more than 450 caps’ worth of stars including Liam Brady, Damien Duff, Ian Harte, Robbie Brady, Jeff Hendrick, Stephen Carr, Alan Maybury, Jack Byrne, Dara O’Shea and now it’s Fergie time.
  • Noting the club’s lack of funding, it is staggering to see its success. The walls at the clubhouse are decorated with pictures and director of football Ken Donohoe brims with pride as he points out well-known faces as youngsters on a tour of the building.
  • One snap shows former Chelsea star Duff, who won 100 Ireland caps, posing with old team-mate Nicky Byrne, who did not make it as a footballer but instead as a pop singer with Westlife.
  • ‘Some players you know will make it from when they are knee high,’ says Donohoe, who has been football director since  2000 at St Kevin’s, which is a not-for-profit football club which invests any monies from the bottom upwards.

 

  • ‘Ireland produces players not because of the system but despite it. The most important thing is to keep their feet on the ground.
  • ‘With good players, especially those you think have a chance, it’s 60 per cent ability but the rest is mentality, behaviour, application. The worst thing is the parents. A lot of parents think their son has nailed it early on… they end up stopping playing by 18.
  • ‘All those who have made it have had sound parental advice, worked hard and learned to live with setbacks and pressure when they are no longer the big fish.’
  • The latest prodigy is Ferguson, who joined St Kevin’s aged five. Ferguson’s age group at the football club included fellow Brighton youngster Jamie Mullins, Sean Grehan of Crystal Palace, David Okagbue at Stoke, Cian Kelly at Derby and Fiachra Pagel at Forest Green.
  • ‘They learned how to win things from an early age,’ says Donohoe.
  • ‘Evan was always a big lad for his age, certainly from 11 or 12. Technically he was always ahead of his level. He’s been classified as a striker but he can play all over – he’s just happened to grasp a chance as a No 9. When he was here he dropped deep.
  • ‘With the way he is progressing, there is no limit to what he can achieve. Things are going well for him, he’s taken his break and scored goals at 18 but there will be a dip or a tough time. I know he can handle that. It would be great if he could stay at Brighton. For his own development, he must stay there.
  • ‘It’s always such a proud moment for the club (seeing alumni play for Ireland) but we want to provide football for as many people as we can and be happy to see them go through the ranks. To see people make a career out of it is so nice to see.’
  • There is an individual plaque at the clubhouse for each senior capped player and Donohoe has made space for another amid Ferguson’s rise. But Ireland’s next generation is not limited to the striker being compared to Wayne Rooney.
  • ‘Ireland is overachieving with player production at the moment. The infrastructure still needs a lot of investment but thanks to exceptional coaching, volunteers’ commitment and the emergence of some raw talents, the underage teams are excelling,’ explains Ronan Calvert of the Kenny’s Kids website.
  • Caoimhin Kelleher and Gavin Bazunu are solid keeper choices, whereas Nathan Collins, Andrew Omobamidele are highly rated and Andrew Moran is tipped to be the next one off Brighton’s lengthy production line. Also watch out for James McManus, 17, of Bohemians and formerly St Kevin’s.
  • Newbies at youth level, Crewe’s lanky defender Connor O’Riordan and Sam Curtis of St Patrick’s Athletic, are also tipped highly by Irish football experts, as is Inter Milan winger Kevin Zefi, 18.
  • Calvert adds on Ferguson: ‘While there is a need to be cautious amid the hype, senior football is going exactly to plan for him so far. He seems to have all the attributes you’d want in a modern striker with good control, strong link up play, pace, strength and more.
  • ‘Brighton looks like the perfect place for him to develop. Maybe most important is the fact that he seems to have a really mature head on his shoulders and has good people around him.’

SKB Community Employment Vacancies

St Kevins Boys Community Employment scheme have vacancies for General Operatives / Cleaners / Clerical workers that might interest some members or family members who would qualify to work on the scheme.

We have vacancies in 5 different sites – Dublin 9, Dublin 5 and Dublin 3.

The basic criteria is that they must be in receipt of a Social Welfare payment for one year or more and minimum age is 18 maximum age is 63.

Anyone interested or anyone who requires further information should contact Sharon on 087-9701738 or email admin@skbfc.com

SKFC On Tour

Following on from our U12 and 13 teams visit to Manchester United earlier this month the coming weeks sees a number of SKFC teams taking part in tournaments and friendly games in Spain, England and Northern Ireland.

Our U13 Premier team head to Majorca to take part in the prestigious East Mallorca Cup with teams from Brazil, Mexico, Turkey, Denmark, United States, Germany, Japan, Australia and England including Manchester City and top Spanish sides – Espanyol, Barcelona, RCD Mallorca, Atletico Bilbao among others.

Our 13 Sun 1 head to Salou to take part in the Cost Daurada Cup from April 2nd – April 6th

John Behan is taking his Saturday U14 Premier team to Blackpool to play in a tournament involving Blackpool, Fleetwood Town and Welsh team TSN.

We return again to Oakham in Leicestershire with our U10’s & U11’s from April 9th – April 12th where their opposition will include Manchester United, Newcastle United, Leicester City, Stoke City, Watford, Nottingham Forest, Norwich City, Sunderland AFC, Shrewsbury Town and Kyoto FA (Japan) among others.

Our Sunday 12.1 will be making a flying visit to Blackburn where they will play Blackburn Rovers and Burnley.

All of these trips  greatly benefit  players and coaches as they get to play quality opposition in top class facilities, experience different cultures and styles which is all part of the learning process.

Pictured below is a team photo of SKFC in December 2016 during a visit to play Real Madrid among others in the Festive Naviadad  which includes some easily recognisable faces who have gone on to further their careers.

SKFC In The Elite Norther Ireland Supercup 2023

We are delighted to have been accepted into this year’s Norther Ireland Super Cup (formerly known as the Milk Cup). Our current U16 DDSL Premier side managed by Donie Bermingham and John Fulham will be taking part in the tournament which kicks off with the opening ceremony on July 23rd in Coleraine and concludes with the finals day on Friday July 28th.  The games will be played across three NI County Council areas – Causeway Coast & Glens, Mid & East Antrim and Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council.

The full Supercup press release is below:

Recently crowned Carabao Cup winners Manchester United will once again be on their way to SuperCupNI later on in the summer.

The Old Trafford giants are one of the headline acts in a 16 strong Premier Section and after success in the Junior category last summer, the Red Devils will be aiming to secure their first Premier title since 2014.

Indeed, one of the stars of their last success in 2014, Marcus Rashford, has gone on to become a global star and is currently one of Europe’s in form strikers.

United are joined in the Premier Section by Carabao Cup runners-up Newcastle United and Brighton and Hove Albion, who are making their debut at the tournament.

SuperCupNI chairman Victor Leonard said Manchester United’s support for the tournament is testament to how well respected it is among decision makers at Old Trafford.

“Over our 40-year history, we have been incredibly well supported by Manchester United and in the past the tournament has acted as a launchpad for their young players to go on and make their mark for the first team.

“They are always incredibly well supported at the tournament and attract large crowds at every game.

“I know from the conversations we have on a regular basis with Nick Cox, head of the academy, that it is a tournament their young players look forward to and they are told about how the likes of Marcus Rashford and Anthony Elanga used their experiences at the tournament to progress into the first team and become household names.”

The Old Trafford side are joined in the tournament by Newcastle United, who last appeared at the tournament in 2019 when they were defeated by a classy Valencia side.

Leonard said it was exciting to see two further Premier League sides confirm their place in the Premier Section.

“Over the last decade we have been well supported by Newcastle United and they have a rich history in the tournament. It is also exciting to see Brighton and Hove Albion making their debut. They have had a real breakthrough year in the Premier League and the model they have in place at the club focuses on bringing through young players and providing them with opportunities to perform in the Premier League.”

Scottish giants Rangers also confirmed their place in the Premier Section. The Glaswegian outfit were runners-up last year in the Junior tournament and first team manager Michael Beale is a huge supporter of the tournament and he brought over teams from Chelsea when he was involved with their Academy.

A Surf select side from the United States is joined by North East Rush who primarily attract players from the North East coast of the United States and will make their debut in the male section having played in the female section last summer.

Japanese side Inchifuna will return to the tournament for the first time since 2018 and they are joined by Liga MX side Tigres UANL from Monterrey who are one of Mexico’s biggest clubs and they will challenge for honours in what is a hotly contested Premier category.

The six home area representatives will all have their sights progressing to the latter stages of the tournament and they are joined by a further two teams – a select team from the Dundalk Schoolboys League who are long time supporters of the tournament and renowned Dublin side St Kevins FC.

The Dubliners are widely recognised as having one of the best youth set ups on the island with the likes of Robbie Brady, Jeff Hendricks, Liam Brady and Damien Duff along with rising star Evan Ferguson who have all starred for the Whitehall based set up.  In their last appearance back in 2007 the Dubliners with Robbie Brady and Jeff Hendricks in their line up made it all the way to the junior decider before losing out 1-0 to Chivas from Mexico.

More International Call-Up’s For SKFC Players

Two Ireland squad announcements today at under 19 and 21 sees a host of ex-SKFC players included in both groups.

In the 19’s group are Sam Curtis, Sean Grehan, John Ryan, Justin Ferizaj, James McManus and Kevin Zefi while the under 21’s include goalkeepers Jimmy Corcoran and Josh Keeley along with Tayo Adaramola, Bosun Lawal, Killian Phillips and Armstrong Oko-Flex while last weeks successful Republic of Ireland under 17 team included Danny McGrath and Nickson Okosun.

Three SKFC Players In LFA Inter Provincial Squad

Congratulations to Noel Dunne, Sam Linehan and Byron Preston who have been selected in the Leinster Football Association youth team squad for the upcoming Inter Provincial series.

Draws For National Cup

The draw for the SFAI under 12 national cup quarter final sees our 12 premier team drawn at home to Knocknacarra FC from Galway – the full draw is;

1. St Kevin’s FC v Knocknacarra FC

2. Castlerea Celtic v Shamrock Rovers

3. Kilcock Celtic v Evergreen FC

4. Kilnamanagh AFC v Aishling Annacotty

Semi – Final; 1 v 4   2 v 3.

Following their win yesterday over Crumlin United in the FAI under 17 cup semi-final our 17 premier side will play Cherry Orchard FC on April 2nd – time and venue to be decided.

We have two teams still in contention in the SFAI National Trophy competitions at under 14 and 15.

Our 14 Premier team are on the road again this time to Charleville FC in Cork following their 2-0 win on Saturday away to Athenry FC while our 15 major are at home to St Patricks Boys.

12’s Reach National Cup Quarter-final

Our under 12 DDSL Premier team reached the quarter final of the SFAI National cup this afternoon when defeating Limerick’s Fairview Rangers 5-0 at St Aidans making it a day to remember for coach Ciaran Burke who is also coach to our under 17’s who earlier today reached the FAI under 17 cup final with a dramatic win against Crumlin United.

There were no dramatics attached to this win as they were in control all through – leading 2-0 at half time – and running out comfortable winners to go into tomorrows last 8 draw.

The goals today came from Jamie Costigan, Rocco Lawlor, Darragh Nolan, Donal O’Hanlon and Cole Curtis.

17’s Reach FAI Under 17 Final

One nil down at half time and two down midway through the second half it looked like Crumlin United were going to replicate their league win  a fortnight ago against our under 17 premier side and this time knock them out of the FAI Under 17 cup in this mornings semi-final at St Aidans.

Sam Dunne pulled one back with a superb strike from close range that went in off the underside of the crossbar to give them a lifeline and they made the most of it just before the end of normal time when Karl Hearns (pictured) nervelessly smashed home a penalty.

At that stage it looked like the game was going to extra time and maybe penalties but man of the match Adetunji Olusanya or TJ as he is known by rose highest to meet a corner from the left in the fifth minute of injury to bury a header into the roof of the Crumlin United net. There was a further four minutes of additional time played but the hard fought lead was never going to be relinquished.

Congratulations to all of the squad and the staff on a great result.

18’s Move On In Leinster Youth Cup

Our under 18 premier team put last weeks disappointing result in the FAI Youths cup behind them when they defeated local rivals Home Farm 2-1 in extra time last night in the Leinster Youths cup at St Aidans.