School’s out as Drogheda Utd stars pay visit
Local Drogheda United star players, Evan Weir and Andrew Quinn, took time out to meet the sixth-class pupils of Gaelscoil na Ríthe in Dunshaughlin last week, with the visit organized by teachers Paul Holland and Seán Ó Fearraigh.
Despite wet and windy conditions, Quinn from Dunshaughlin (a centre back) and Weir from nearby Ratoath (a left wing back), conducted an excellent coaching session for the sports mad boys and girls. The football was then followed by a fascinating Question and Answer session, which highlighted the dedication and professionalism to play at such a high level.
Both Meath born League of Ireland players have enjoyed an outstanding season with Drogheda United in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division this season and played a huge part in the part-time club’s survival in the top flight this season.
The Q and A session revealed many interesting details of the two players, including both regularly marking each other in midfield as teenagers, when playing for rival GAA clubs Dunshaughlin and Ratoath. Weir’s favourite football memory was scoring against Shamrock Rovers with a cracking late equaliser in Tallaght in July this year, and his subsequent celebrating in front of the Rovers fans!
For his career highlight. Quinn selected his school’s victory in the FAI Schools Leinster Cup final, which he won with many of his first year friends on the Dunshaughlin Community College team. Loud groans from the children followed when Quinn admitted to supporting Chelsea and Weir to following Man United! The vast majority in rang six are big Liverpool fans!
Both players explained that it would have to be an outstanding offer from another club to persuade them to leave Drogheda United, as they are very happy there under manager Kevin Doherty. The players’ ratings on FIFA 2023 was also a popular question, with Quinn on 54 points and Weir on 58, not bad for their first season in the Premier Division , the highest level of football in Ireland!
With Covid-19 leading to the cancellation of the SPAR Primary School Fives in 2020, 2021 and 2022, the Gaelscoil boys and girls are eagerly looking forward to the full return of the MEATH 5-aside qualifiers in March 2023 at the MDL grounds in Navan.
The pupils were delighted to learn that both Andrew (St. Seachnall’s) and Evan (Ratoath SNS) starred for their own primary schools in the 2014 tournament. The Aviva Stadium in Dublin will again host the National finals of the hugely popular five-a-side on 31st May 2023 with the MDL hosting the Meath, North Leinster and Leinster finals beforehand. Meath primary schools can enter the 2023 competition in March, by emailing primaryschools@fai.ie when entries are open from 5th December 2022 until 10th February 2023.