Groups join forces in organising unique soccer exhibition
It was the beautiful game but not as we know it.
Members of An Garda Siochana participated in a unique soccer exhibition at Our Lady of Mercy School, Kells this evening when they took on youngsters from the local area in five-a-side matches as part of a community project aimed at breaking down barriers between young people and the Force.
The Kells Garda Soccer Initiative was run in conjunction with the SMART (South Meath Area Response to Teenagers) group and Meath Local Sports Partnership (MLSP) with FAI personnel adding coaching experience.
Sponsored by local business outlet, Park Ri, the project involved 28 youths attending training sessions over six weeks culminating in this evening's exhibition games that involved members of the Force and teenagers. The driving forces behind the project were community policing Gardai - Sgt Elaine Long and Garda Padraig Keegan.
The exhibition game was attended by a number of people from the various groups involved including Garda Superintendent Thelma Watters, the Chief Executive of MLSP Mary Murphy, the FAI Development Officer for Meath, Richie Smith as well as members from SMART including Mark Molloy, Cathreen Sherrock, Amanda Veale and Kevin Dowling.
"It's a magnificant project because it's important for young people to see Gardai in a fun context," said Margaret McKeown Boyle who was representing the sponsors.
* SEE PHOTOGRAPHS AND MORE COMMENTS FROM THIS UNIQUE EVENT IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF THE MEATH CHRONICLE