This inaugural award will recognise an individual who has shown an outstanding commitment to soccer coaching and further development of soccer players in the area of grassroots football:
The winner will be announced at the FAI AGM Annual dinner in Monaghan on Friday July 3:
Nominations are invited from any individual, club, or organisation wishing to nominate a coach for this award: Nominees must be shown to have made an outstanding contribution to grassroots soccer coaching during the period August 1 2008 to July 1 2009:
An application can be requested by contacting the FAI Coach Education Department at 01/8999563 or 01/8999540 or by sending a request by email to coached@fai:ie
The closing date for completed applications is June 12, 2009: Click here for a copy of the APPLICATION FORM
Noel O'Reilly, who passed away following a short illness last September, had a distinguished coaching career at club and international level: At club level, he was best known for his involvement with Dublin schoolboy club Belvedere and League of Ireland sides Shamrock Rovers and St Patrick's Athletic:
On the international stage, he was the manager of the Ireland's World Universities Men's team, which attracts players from both sides of the border:
He previously managed the Republic of Ireland U18 squad and was also coach to various other international under/age teams over the years as well as being a member of Brian Kerr's senior management team from 2003 to 2005:
He was coach to the Ireland squads which won the 1998 European U16 and U18 Championships and also the team which finished third at the World U20 Cup in 1997:
He joined the FAI full/time in 1999 as a Development Officer and played a major role in coach education during his time with the association: He was promoted to the post of Senior Coach Educator in April 2008: