Soccer legend in shoot-out with local youth

LOCAL youngsters were given the chance of a lifetime when former Irish soccer international Niall Quinn paid a visit to Ballymun last month.

Aged 10-14, the group of 20 young players put the ex-Arsenal and Manchester City legend to the test in the annual Dublin Bus Penalty Shoot-Out, which took place in the grounds of Poppintree Youth and Community Centre.

The atmosphere was electric as children from all around the Ballymun area cheered on their pals as they went up against Quinn in the entertaining competition.

This is the seventh year of the Dublin Bus Niall Quinn Penalty Shoot Out and it was Ballymun’s first time to host the event. During the day, Quinn treated the selected 20 football fanatics to an intensive coaching session before going head to head in the penalty shoot-out. The winners were later presented with prizes by Niall at a ceremony in the Poppintree centre.

This year’s event was organised by Dublin Bus in conjunction with Poppintree Youth and Community Centre and An Garda Síochána and it was one in a series of events which Dublin Bus undertakes as part of its Community Spirit Initiative that supports local communities across the Dublin Bus network.

Quinn, who is patron of the Dublin Bus Community Spirit Awards, said, he was delighted with to be a part of the initiative.

“It’s great to be involved in such a rewarding event which supports local communities throughout the Greater Dublin Area,

? he said.

“It was such a delight to see the passion that these children have for football. Hopefully days like today will help children gain the confidence and the life skills they need to reach their full potential.

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