Following on from the visits to schools in Skereris, Dublin 15 and the Naul earlier in the week, the FAI Ford Cup was back on the road on Wednesday and Friday, taking in even more schools in Fingal.

On Wednesday afternoon, Glen Crowe and Gary O’Neill brought the trophy out to Corduff Sports Centre in Blanchardstown for the final day of a Blanchardstown Youth Project football programme, run in conjunction with the FAI. The lads were more than happy to hand out he awards on the evening to the winning teams and players.

On Friday morning, 2009 top scorer Conan Byrne accompanied Club Promotions Officer Conor Cullen and FAI Development Officer Paul Keogh to Scoil Realt na Mara in Skerries. Conan took the time to visit every senior class, as well as the junior assembly, and answered questions and signed autographs for the kids.

That afternoon, recent signing Brendan Clarke accompanied Alan Kirby to one of the largest primary schools in Dublin, Sacred Heart National School in Huntstown. Once again, the players were happy to answer questions, sign autographs and get a few photos with the kids, and of course the star attraction, the FAI Cup.

CPO Conor Cullen said, “It’s great to be getting out into the schools and meeting the kids. We’re promoting the club, but we’re also giving the kids a chance to meet professional footballers, ask them questions, and of course to see the FAI Cup, a famous and historic trophy.”

“We’ve been to around 40 schools so far since we won the cup, and we’re not even halfway to our target of bringing the trophy to every school in Fingal, but we’ve a great group of players who are enthusiastic about what we’re trying to do in the Community. And our manager Liam Buckley recognises the work we’re trying to do and is hugely supportive of it.”