An Post have been named as the new sponsors of the FAI schools 5-a-side  programme.  Republic of Ireland International star James McClean took time out from the preparation from Euro 2012 to launch this year’s event and the new partnership in Portmarnock on Tuesday.
Over 15,400 children from every county in Ireland will compete in the tournament which culminates in national finals on June 5th in the Tallaght Stadium home of Shamrocke Rovers.  Both newly crowned Spanish and Italian Champions Real Madrid and Juventus have played there in recent years,
The competition has been running since the mid 1990’s and is more popular than ever with nearly 1,000 schools currently involved.  Prior to this year An Post supported the FAI Summer Soccer Schools, a relationship now taken up by eFlow.
“The numbers participating in this competition are phenomenal with the standard of football improving each year,” said Sean Carr, Chairman of FAI Schools. “We are excited about our new partnership with An Post, who are an ideal sponsor for this competition and we look forward to working with them to increase the profile and image of primary school football going forward”.
“An Post is proud to join up with FAI Schools, to support their efforts to involve more primary school children in football,” added Barney Whelan, An Post Director of Communications and Corporate Affairs. “The competition is a wonderful opportunity for both boys and girls of all sporting ability to participate in the initiative with an emphasis on fun and well being. We are delighted to be teaming up with FAI Schools to further nurture and develop grassroots football in Ireland.”