Annual Youth Reach soccer blitz takes place in Dundalk

Garda Josh Wilson; Garda Niall Higgins, Dundalk Garda Station; Charlie Armstrong, Superintendent Dundalk Garda Station; JLO Garda Paul Burke; Liam Burns, Dundalk FC; Paul Smith, FAI

placeholder image — Garda Josh Wilson; Garda Niall Higgins, Dundalk Garda Station; Charlie Armstrong, Superintendent Dundalk Garda Station; JLO Garda Paul Burke; Liam Burns, Dundalk FC; Paul Smith, FAI

The annual Youth Reach soccer blitz was held recently at the DkIT indoor sports venue

The annual Youth Reach soccer blitz was held recently at the DkIT indoor sports venue in Dundalk, with six teams entered this year.

The teams were Youth Reach Dundalk; The Magnate Training Centre Dundalk; Youth Reach Laytown; Youth Reach Ardee; Navan Youth Reach 1 and Navan Youth Reach 2.

The blitz has become the annual flagship event of a committee made up of Dundalk Garda Station, Dundalk FC, FAI, and Louth County Council.

Juvenile Liaison Officer for Dundalk Garda station, Gda. Paul Burke, who was a key organizer of the event, said: “Huge credit must go to all the Youth Reach organisations, the teenagers who attended and all the staff who came with them.”

Included above are: 4th from left, Garda Josh Wilson; JLO Garda Paul Burke; Superintendent Dundalk Garda Station, Charlie Armstrong; Paul Smith, FAI; extreme right, Garda Niall Higgins, Ardee Garda Station

One of the Youth Reach centre managers said: "Thanks very much for inviting our Youthreach to this years soccer tournament. It was a fantastic event, well run and our student really enjoyed the experience.

“I thought the event worked well in the DKIT venue and the communication from officials on the day was very good. It wasn't easy with the weather conditions but the change of venue last minute meant that the event could go ahead.”

Above: Garda Rachel Copperthwaite; Garda Josh Wilson; Paul Smith, FAI; JLO Garda Paul Burke; Garda Niall Higgins, Ardee Garda Station; Garda Eve McCrystal; Liam Burns, Dundalk FC

The event is usually run on the main pitch in Oriel Park but with the storm warning it was decided to go indoor to DKIT, which proved a big success and really added to day.

A word of thanks must also go to DKIT of the use of their facilities.