Balbriggan boy wins football competition

A NORTH county Dublin boy will share the pitch with the Republic of Ireland soccer team when they take on Bosnia at the Aviva Stadium in their send off game before the European Championships on May 26.

Conor Purdue (11), from Balbriggan, won the FAI/Fingal County Council in conjunction with Swords Pavilions’

‘Road to Poland’ competition that took place for 10 weeks in Balbriggan. He will act as an FAI flag bearer on the hollowed Aviva turf.

Competition organiser Paul Keogh, FAI/FCC development officer, congratulated Conor on his win.

“I have known Conor for a number of years through various FAI/FCC grassroots programmes and he is a worthy recipient of the prize,

? he stated.

“The format of the competition meant he was rewarded for his sportsmanship, attendance and his undoubted skill.

“Over 90 boys and girls took part in the competition. It was set up as 4v4 with plenty of fun and touches of the ball being the emphasis.

?

Ian Hunter, Swords Pavilions Centre Director, said they were delighted to be a FAI community partner supporting their grassroots skills programme.

“We see this partnership as a key element of our involvement in our local community,

? stated Mr Hunter.

“After 10 weeks of the Road to Poland 4v4 Skills programme is was great to see the commitment shown by all the kids involved, the fun they had and the new skills learnt. In our view every kid that took part was a winner.

?

Swords Pavilions kindly gave two full Ireland Umbro kits as prizes.