Real Football Academy

⚽ Last night at Loreto the whistle was blown for the final time on our RFA Boys team training sessions.

⚽ After 9 years of preparing boys & girls in the earlier years (RFA Swans) from Mullingar & the surrounding areas for team football and to be the best version of themselves, there is a tinge of sadness in the air today.

⚽ However the positives that we have encountered over that time, far outweighs anything else.

⚽ Setting up the academy was always about player development first and my word have we delivered in this.

⚽ Many players have progressed from grassroots to League of Ireland football both boys & girls. We have had a number of players attend the FAI National Academy, regional centres & League ETPs.
Most rewarding have been the players that have come into us low in confidence and left many years later equipped with the confidence and skill set to be the best version of themselves on and off the pitch.

⚽ There is far too many people to thank. Coaches, players, parents, sponsors, family, friends, clubs, schools and the wider community have all played a part in what was an unbelievable journey.

⚽ However more importantly than football the friendships & memories that we have created will last forever and to that I will be always greatful.

Thank You
Ray

⚽ Our u9s & u10s finished their coaching league season in the MDL yesterday. Both teams signed off with some really good football & scoring plenty of goals.

😃 We at RFA would like to take this moment to thank Coach Adrian for his time with us over the past number of years.

⚽ Adrian has just been a pleasure to work with both on and off the pitch and leaves us with the greatest respect & dignity. Enthusiastic, energetic, organised, friendly, loyal & just an all round pleasure to share a coaching experience with.

⚽ Pictured with his two lads yesterday post games, where they both played two games each. Hew played and scored with the u10s before helping out and playing a solid game at the back for our u11s. Austin who is u8s played with our u10s in the morning where he was excellent and then played with the u9s in the afternoon.

🙏 We would like to thank Adrian and the boys and we wish them nothing but success in their future sporting careers.

Coaching League

Our u11s boys put on an excellent performance against a strong Athboy team.

After struggling to break down the Athboy defence for most of the first half, it was Louie who headed home at the back post after a great cross from Jack.
Into the second half, and a quick break from back to front through quick passing from Huw and Jamie, before Louie played in Harry, who finished calmly.

Soon after, Kayden played a brilliant first time pass through to Jamie, who finished in style.
Overall, this was a brilliant team performance.
Harry Flynn pulled off some outstanding saves in both halves and deservedly kept a clean sheet.

Jack was outstanding at the back, cool and calm under pressure but always looking to play forward. Huw Keavney stepped up from the u10’s, and showed his class with tough tackling and quality passing. Into midfield, and Jamie was excellent from start to finish. Winning his tackles and spreading the play.

Louie and Kayden were a constant threat down the wings, taking on defenders and tracking back to help when needed.

Up front, Harry was the target man, and was unlucky not to get himself another goal or two. Finally, Jack Shaw made his debut at u11, coming on into the second half and not looking out of place!
Next weekend will be our last game in Navan.

⚽ Best of luck to our u11s this evening as they travel to Boyne Rovers in the last 16 of the Colm Cooper Cup

⚽ Safe trip up lads and remember to enjoy the game.

⚽ We kicked off our Friday in style with a high energy session with Alex from RFA Boys u11s

⚽ Nothing better to get energy levels up with some early morning football.

⚽ Well done to Alex who was full of quality this morning. Have a great day as I know you were heading off straight afterwards.

⚽ Best of luck to our Coaching League sides tomorrow in both the MDL & St.Pats.

⚽ Our u9s, u10s & u11s all out tomorrow again. It's a difficult time of the season with summer holidays.

⚽ Looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow. Enjoy your games & have plenty of fun.

⚽ Well done to all our Coaching League sides today in the MDL. All three sides put in some fine performances.

⚽ Thanks you to all the parents for traveling. From early morning to afternoon and late evening.

👍 See you all at training during the week

🏆 Cooper Cup Game 6.

⚽ RFA Boys finished out the group stages with a really impressive win against Trim Celtic, and now look forward to the last 16 draw.

⚽ On the perfect surface, the coaches were delighted with how the boys dominated possession and created multiple chances for some great goals.. the pick of which was an outstanding volley from Harry after a great cross from the right by Lucas.

⚽ Every player played their part in an excellent all round performance.
Thanks to all the parents for the great support, and to Mullingar Athletic for use of their excellent facilities.

🏆 Colm Cooper Cup. Game 5
Walshestown 2 - 2 RFA Boys

⚽RFA Boys got off to a flying start against Walshestown after being awarded a penalty in the opening minutes. However, a good strike from Jake unfortunately hit the post. It wasn’t long after before the striker got his goal, after a deflected shot landed in front of him to slot home.

⚽ RFA had plenty more chances in the first half, with great work down the wings by McKinley and Lucas. At the other end, Harry pulled off a couple of outstanding saves to keep the lead intact.
Into the second half, RFA introduced Kayden and Louie down the flanks, and it was a quick break from Louie, which resulted in a great cross for Harry to head home.

⚽ Alex, Jack, Harry and Jamie continued to battle in midfield, but unfortunately the away team couldn’t hold onto the lead, and conceded two goals soon after. With some great defending by Aidan and Ali, RFA kept pushing forward but couldn’t find the winner.

👌 However, the point secures our advancement to the next round of the competition, with the final group game to come on Saturday.
Massive thanks to all who made the long trip from Mullingar.

🏆 RFA Boys 4 - 3 Johnstown FC

⚽ RFA Boys welcomed Johnstown to Mullingar on Tuesday evening. In blustery conditions, it was the home side that raced into an early 3 - 0 lead, with goals from Jake O’Reilly, Mason Ingham and the ever impressive Liam Reddin.

⚽ Only for some great defending by Lucas Hassett, Ali Et and a couple of outstanding saves by Harry Flynn, the sore line at half time could have been different.

⚽ Credit to Johnstown, who started to dominate into the second half, and were awarded an early penalty. However, Nathan Scally pulled off a brilliant save to retain the 3 goal lead.

⚽Johnstown kept coming, and soon after pulled two goals back. However, a break down the left by the in form McKinley Hine resulted in a magnificent finish high into the top corner to restore the two goal lead.

⚽Johnstown were awarded another penalty sooner after, and this time were successful.
RFA held out for the remaining few minutes to record a well deserved win.
As always, we’d like to thank the parents and families of the players for their brilliant support from the sidelines.

⚽ We would also like to thank Mullingar Athletic for the use of their spectacular facilities at Gainstown.

🎉 Congratulations Jack Corroon 🎉

⚽ On Monday eve we were delighted to have one of our former players Jack Corroon back in with us for a one2one session.

⚽ Jack has recently signed for u13s development squad which will become their League Of Ireland Sqaud at U14s for the 2025 season.

⚽ Jack who has been part of our academy program from the age of 5 when he first kicked a ball in our mini monkeys indoor group on a Sunday morning.

⚽ He has progressed all the way through our pathway right up to u13s. Jack also represented the and was part of the FAI Regionals program. Progression in both of those representative academys saw Jack attend the FAI National Academy also.

⚽ When he rocked up to Loreto on Monday evening with his new kit and that big smile we couldn't have been prouder. On the back of that he delivered one of his best of many one2one sessions yet. Jacks quality first touch, passing range, shooting and explosive footwork was incredible.

⚽ Everyone at the academy would like to wish Jack the very best of luck and we hope to see him back down with us again very soon

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