Thu 02 February 12

First We Take Arsenal Youth, Then We Take New Players

On Sunday, January 29th, a group of our visually impaired young footballers traveled to London to play a challenge game against an Arsenal Football Club community youth team. The grade of soccer is known as B2B3 FUTSAL.

The trip was a bridge building project with ourselves and clubs from outside Ireland. There were many purposes to this trip. One important aim was to show the players we had identified and coached all last summer, and reward them with something a little special.

We now hope that the experience will lead to a knock-on effect at regional and national gatherings where many will progress to international level. Two players who traveled with the team, were identified throught the annual Camp Abilities, and the remainder were identified through Local Sports Partnerships and N.C.B.I communications.

There are training sessions planned for February, March, and April, across the proveniences. The idea is to offer every young soccer player opportunities in recreational and higher level football.

The age profile we are looking for is 910 to 1718 boys. However, any player younger or older, male of female, is welcomed to contact me and we will endeavor to facilitate session as long as participants numbers are good.

We will always be searching.

For any queries please contact via email or phone.Warren 0858279920
Email….wmcdb1b2b3@yahoo.co.uk

Mon 19 December 11

New Year Football for All at Kilcock Celtic

The new Football For All club programme Kilcock Celtic have established every second Saturday from 11.30 to 12.30pm shouuld be of special interest to members and supporters in North Kildare, South West Meath and West Dublin.

Details of the programme are as follows:

Venue: Kilcock Celtic (Scoil Dara Astro pitch)
Time: 11.30 to 12.30pm
Day: Every 2nd Saturday
Next session: Saturday 17th December 2011
Contact: Please call Ray Dully 083 3351290 if you want to join the club
Who: All children of all abilities are welcome to come join the club programme (5 – 14 year olds)

Tue 25 October 11

Opportunity Knocks for VI Soccer Children

Football for All Coaching Scheme Kicks Off

Oppirtunity knocks for Visually Impaired children aged 11-16 to begin something really good in soccer. There are major plans for 2012 and we are searching right now….this is a youth coaching opportunity not to be missed.

This programme, promoted under FAI Football for All scheme in conjunction with NCBI and Irish Blind Sports, works with children with mild to moderate visual impairments in a fun, friendly environment. Coaching is led by a qualified FAI coach, experienced in working with people with visual impairments.

Football For All teams in a network nationwide will embrace diversity and promote the true meaning of
‘Football For All’

“This new programme will ensure the inclusion of children with visual impairments in the football community in Ireland. Coaches are breaking down barriers by guaranteeing that all children regardless of ability will in the future have the same opportunity to play football”

The first two training sessions will be in the sports hall at Cork Institute of Technology on Saturdays November 5th and December 3rd from 11am – 1pm

For details please contact :

Nick Harrison Football For All Coordinator (Munster) Tel : 0860472051

Please note, these sessions aren’t for young children or those children with severe visual impairments. We will cater for those children at a later stage.

Wed 31 August 11

South Blitz North in Soccer Friendlies

The Great Noel O'Reilly Remembered

Last weekend’s All Ireland mathches were played in a spirit of sporsmanship, friendship, fun and rivalry.

Clearly we’re not referring to that All Ireland fiasco in Croke Park then!

No, we’re talking about good old fashioned Visually Impaired football where players from the entire island gathered for friendly competition.

From the southern part of this island legendary player and coach Warren McDonald had ammassed mainly young players from his summer tours around Cork, Limerick and Dublin. From Northern Ireland the legend, ex Chelsea, Man U., Luton Town and N. Ireland player/manager Mal Donaghy had amassed his own grat players.

At stake in was the Noel O’Reilly
All Ireland Senior Shield. Noel O’Reilly was a care worker at St. Joseph’s School for Blind and Visually Impaired for three decades and was also top soccer coach. Noel worked as assistant to Brian Kerr at youth, underage and senior level where they achieved major success.

The southern five a-side team beat their norther counterparts for the Noel O’Reilly Shield.

With so many new faces in the youth event scouts could be seen hiding in all corners! The South took the honours here too.

The great Mal Donaghy was thrilled to see his teams finally get to play competitively and is keen to keep the connection and matches going. As a top pro Donaghy never let things go so one senses revenge!

All in all a win-win situation and with Irelands newly formed squad this summer walking away with both the junior and senior shield it looks as if Warren and IBS have some up and coming stars.

See also updaded album – Youth Football Training Summer 2011 – in our Photo Gallery from with new photos from last weekend’s blitz Click Here

Thu 30 June 11

Football Training Schedule Summer 2011

Starting July 2nd

Warren McDonald posted the following to us last week. Apologies for delay in publishing (missed by our web enditor while on holidays).
This is the schedule for the next 5 football training sessions over the summer. Warren hopes all can work together and try get the team for the young players, especially. Please confirm players who can attend the first session in Portlaoise. The players will need white shorts and white football socks. They DO NOT need football boots. Any pair of trainers/runners will be fine. it would be wise to bring a light water proof top as we may be outdoor on AstroTurf and Warren refuses to let weather halt progress!
Warren will travel by train from Hueston so make contact with Warren if you or your player/s plan to uses similar transit.

The schedule:
Saturday July 2nd 1 pm to 4 pm …..Portlaoise Leisure Centre
Saturday July 16th….1pm to 4pm…..Limerick Soccer Dome
Saturday July 30th…..2pm to 5pm….Cork central Venue To be Confirmed
Saturday August 13th….1pm to 4pm…Dublin Blanchardstown directions to follow
Saturday August 27th….TBC………..Dublin Blanchardstown directions to follow

Each training session will consist of one hour of coaching and 2 hours of matches against invited local teams: three 30 minute games.

Again please confirm via mail if your player will attend Portlaoise.
Any questions please contact Warren on 0858279920 or click here to email Warren

Thu 02 June 11

Launch of B1 B2 B3 Football Development Squads Summer 2011.

18th June, Soccer Dome, Limerick

A new exciting development in football for junior members is due to launch on 18th June in the purpose built Soccer Dome in Limerick city. This session is being lead by Bray man Warren McDonald who is an FAI coach and past international player with the B2 / B3 Irish Team
So far it is expected that 56 blind players (or B1) will receive coaching in dribbling techniques, passing, shooting and a decent length game from qualified FAI coaches.
The expected 11-14 visually impaired children (or B2, B3) will have 2 hours of training including skill drills, tactics and a game all supervised by FAI coaches and volunteers.
Volunteers and coaches from other clubs are very welcome to attend in order to see how we coach blind and visually impaired players.

Date: Saturday 18th June 2011
Venue: Delta Soccer Dome, Limerick ( www.deltasoccerdome.com ) Changing and Showers available
1.00 to 4.00 pm
Lunch will be provided for players and parents – Please ensure that Warren knows if you intend going along so that catering numbers can be known in advance.
Warren McDonald will travel to Limerick from Dublin by train and will accompany a group from Dublin (all are welcome to join him). The train departs Heuston Station at 10am (meet there from 9.15am onwards) and will return to Heuston Station at 7.30pm. Participants are responsible for the cost of getting to Limerick but if you have a travel pass you may use this.
RTE’s Nationwide programme will cover the event and this should give major exposure towards informing parents and young people alike of the possibility of playing football even if one is blind or has limited vision – hopefully helping us to identify some new players for the future.
Warren has said that “this is just the start and i will chat with parents throughout the day on how we can fine tune B1 B2 B3 soccer for your sons ( and hopefully your daughters in the future too).” Warren can be contacted by “clicking here Your

to book directly click here

Mon 04 April 11

IBSA World Games

First Match Result for B2/3 Futsal Team

The first match went against the Irish Team this morning. Despite the team scoring three time they went down to a strong Spanish team who put five past the Irish goalie. Ger Prendergast, Paddy Coates and Ciaran O’Brien got onto the score sheet today.
Korea is up next for the Irish Team at 2.30pm Irish time on Tuesday pm

B2/3 Footballers Head for Turkey The Ireland B2/3 Football team headed for Turkey this

Mon 14 March 11

BI Football for May Games

Training opportunity

Oisin Jordan development officer with the FAI will lead a one hour training session during the break in the football action during the May Games this year.
This is your chance to try out this game for the fully blind – all players must wear blackout goggles. If you are interested in trying this please contact info@ibsports.ie