Delivery is coordinated and managed by a range of staff from the FAI board and Senior Leadership Team in Abbotstown to Regional Managers, Programme Coordinators, Development Officers and Department Executives.

The list of programmes under the umbrella of the Grassroots Department are; Football for All, Club Development, Schools & Third Level, Referee Development, Women’s & Girls Football, Futsal & Recreational Football & Camps.

The FAI's Regional Team in Cork is currently made up of five full-time staff.

Three Development Officers, a Regional manager and a Performance coach

Regional Manager

Nick Harrison

nick.harrison@fai.ie

0860472051

Club Officer

Ray Claffey

Ray.claffey@fai.ie

0831930530

Schools & Colleges Officer

Cork City

Alan Bennett

Alan.bennett@fai.ie

0864401034

Club Officer (Women's & Girls)

Conor McKahey

conor.mckahey@fai.ie

0862042434

Regional Performance Coach

John Cotter

John.Cotter@fai.ie

0860787304

All Coach Education, Referee Education and Child Welfare courses can now be booked online.

Each team needs a certified coach as part of the FAI Club Mark process.

Please direct your coaches towards these courses. 

Ray Claffey ray.claffey@fai.ie

Course Details: Online

Safeguarding 1 | MS Teams

Monday, 8th September | 18:30 – 21:30 | Cost €10

Minimum Requirements: Garda Vetting through the FAI.

Link: https://faiconnect.ie/mycomet/private/seminars/37130978

Course Details: Online

Safeguarding 1 | MS Teams

Monday, 15th September | 18:30 – 21:30 | Cost €10

Minimum Requirements: Garda Vetting through the FAI.

Link:    https://faiconnect.ie/mycomet/private/seminars/37131066

Course Details: In Person

Safeguarding 2 | Blarney United

Tuesday, 16th September | 18:30 – 21:30 | Cost €15 | T23 VK25

Minimum Requirements: Garda Vetting through the FAI & Safeguarding 1

Link:  https://faiconnect.ie/mycomet/private/seminars/37190326

Course Details: In Person

Safeguarding 3 | Blarney United

Wednesday, 17th September | 18:30 – 21:30 | Cost €15 | T23 VK25

Minimum Requirements: Garda Vetting through the FAI & Safeguarding 1

Link: https://faiconnect.ie/mycomet/private/seminars/37190456

Course Details: Online

Safeguarding 1 | MS Teams

Monday, 22nd September | 18:30 – 21:30 | Cost €10

Minimum Requirements: Garda Vetting through the FAI.

Link: https://faiconnect.ie/mycomet/private/seminars/37190614

Course Details: In Person

Me & My Ball | Mallow United

Wednesday, 24^th September | 6:30 – 9:30 |

This course is aimed at coaches working with children aged 5-7. Coaches will learn how to create a fun, inclusive environment that emphasises positive movement, play, & ball skills. 

Minimum Requirements: Garda Vetting & Safeguarding 1. 

Link  https://faiconnect.ie/mycomet/private/seminars/38718319

Course Details: Online

Safeguarding 1 | MS Teams

Monday, 29th September | 18:30 – 21:30 | Cost €10

Minimum Requirements: Garda Vetting through the FAI.

Link:  https://faiconnect.ie/mycomet/private/seminars/37191130

Course Details: In Person

Me & My Skills | Clonakity AFC

Monday, 29^th September | 6:00 – 9:00 | P85 Y009

This course is aimed at coaches working with children aged 8-11. Coaches will build on the foundations of ‘Me & My Ball’, with further ball mastery & small-sided games to foster creativity.

Minimum Requirements: Garda Vetting & Safeguarding 1. 

Link  https://faiconnect.ie/mycomet/private/seminars/37572438

https://faiconnect.ie/mycomet/private/seminars/12438784

- provide recognition to clubs for their commitment and achievements

- Increase club’s capacity to operate effectively and grow football in communities throughout Ireland.

It also ensures that Club’s have a minimum operating criteria in relation governance and the Safeguarding of the children in their care.

Our Regional officers in Cork will provide support across a variety of programme areas and from August 2025 onwards :

1. Every club that engages with one of our Development programmes must have submitted an application for FAI Club Mark Entry Level Football Association of Ireland | Club Mark (fai.ie)

2. In the event of being oversubscribed for any programme we will prioritise those clubs that have achieved the Entry Level criteria

Please direct enquiries towards FAI Cork’s Club Officer Ray Claffey ray.claffey@fai.ie

Clonakilty AFC

https://faiconnect.ie/mycomet/private/seminars/22697783

Leeds AFC

https://faiconnect.ie/mycomet/private/seminars/17355545

Mallow United AFC

https://faiconnect.ie/mycomet/private/seminars/17354286

We also have 2 blitzes for all Kickfit groups running during September & October, information below. 

Cadbury's Kick Fit blitz info:

Mallow United AFC

Date: 12th of September

Time: 7-9 pm

Venue: P51RWY0

Clonakilty AFC

Date: 19th of October

Time: 1-3 pm

Venue: P85DR12

• Online Referee Beginners Course – 16/17 October 2024 (7-10pm) - https://faiconnect.ie/mycomet/private/seminars/26044051

• Online Referee Beginners Course – 4/5 November 2024 (7-10pm) - https://faiconnect.ie/mycomet/private/seminars/26044284

• Online Referee Beginners Course – 26/27 November 2024 (7-10pm) - https://faiconnect.ie/mycomet/private/seminars/26044428

For more information and to signup click https://www.fai.ie/play-and-participate/referees/become-referee/

Clonakilty RFC,

Clonakilty,

P85DR12.

Monday 2 pm

Contact: Chris Connor 0877810564

Cork City FC

Ringhmahon Rangers AFC,

Ringmahon Road,

Mahon,

T12PT63.

Wednesday 3 pm

Contact: Erika Ni Thuama 0868058773 / Danny Murphy 0838566840

Park Utd AFC

 Brigown Road,

Brigown,

Mitchelstown,

P67KX02

Thursday 6 pm

Contact: Paudie Fitzgibbon 0862616195

Cork City FC

Bandon AFC,

Bandon Town Park,

Bandon,

P72V663.

Friday 3 pm

Contact: Erika Ni Thuama 0868058773 / Danny Murphy 0838566840

UCC

Mardyke Sports Ground,

University College Cork,

Mardyke Walk,

T12 N1FK.

Friday 6:30 pm

Contact: Christine O'Donovan 0872470344 / Neil Nash 0872042708

Youghal United FC

Youghal Utd

Ardrath Park, Youghal, Co Cork.

P36 HP27

Contact : Mossie 0894164558

UEFA Disney Playmakers is a new programme that the FAI are running alongside UEFA and Disney in clubs across Ireland. It’s for girls aged 5-8 years who are not currently playing football and it invites them to step into the magical world of Disney as they take their first steps on their football journey.

https://www.fai.ie/play-and-participate/women-and-girls-football/fai-programmes/disney-playmakers/

In Her Boots

In Her Boots, in partnership with Aviva, is an education and awareness-based programme aimed at the football volunteer workforce across Ireland working with female players. The programme will focus on topics that are vital for the participation and retention of young female players in football across Ireland. This new approach to female player development, celebrates and informs all levels of your club on a national scale. The programme is created for those working with girls aged 9-16.

https://www.fai.ie/play-and-participate/in-her-boots-aviva-1/

Kick Fit

The FAI Cadbury Kick Fit programme is a fun and non-competitive recreational social programme for women 18+, with no experience necessary. While the primary aim of this programme is to keep fit and create a social group, most clubs who have run this programme have benefitted from recruitment of additional female coaches, female committee members & formation of a women’s team. The programme will run in 61 venues across the country in 2024, running for 8 weeks, with one-hour sessions per week. Register to your nearest Cadbury Kick Fit venue below.

https://www.fai.ie/play-and-participate/women-and-girls-football/fai-programmes/cadbury-kick-fit/

Any club interested can register interest by contacting:

Conor McKahey

FAI Cork

Women's & Girl's Development Officer

conor.mckahey@fai.ie

0862042434

https://faiconnect.ie/mycomet/private/seminars/35084691

Passage AFC   26th July 2025      (10-4pm)

https://faiconnect.ie/mycomet/private/seminars/35085065

Turner’s Cross 9th August 2025  (10-4pm)

https://faiconnect.ie/mycomet/private/seminars/35085073

Me & My Ball | Blarney United

Tuesday, 30^th September | 6:30 – 9:30 | T23 VK25

This course is aimed at coaches working with children aged 5-7. Coaches will learn how to create a fun, inclusive environment that emphasises positive movement, play, & ball skills. 

Minimum Requirements: Garda Vetting & Safeguarding 1. 

Link         https://faiconnect.ie/mycomet/private/seminars/38718715

Course Details: In Person

Me & My Ball | Leeds AFC

Wednesday, 1st October | 6:30 – 9:30 | | T23 XW60

This course is aimed at coaches working with children aged 5-7. Coaches will learn how to create a fun, inclusive environment that emphasises positive movement, play, & ball skills. 

Minimum Requirements: Garda Vetting & Safeguarding 1. 

Link         https://faiconnect.ie/mycomet/private/seminars/38796821

Course Details: In Person

Me & My Skills | Fermoy AFC

Tuesday, 7th October | 6:30 – 9:30 | Cost €45  | P61 YW88

This course is aimed at coaches working with children aged 8-11. Coaches will build on the foundations of ‘Me & My Ball’, with further ball mastery & small-sided games to foster creativity.

Minimum Requirements: Garda Vetting & Safeguarding 1. 

Link     https://faiconnect.ie/mycomet/private/seminars/38796965

Course Details: Online

Safeguarding 1 | MS Teams

Tuesday, 7^th October | 18:30 – 21:30 | Cost €10

Minimum Requirements: Garda Vetting through the FAI.

Link: https://faiconnect.ie/mycomet/private/seminars/38630795

Course Details: In Person

Goalkeeping Intro| Ringmahon Park

Wednesday, 8th October | 6:30 – 9:30 | T12 PT63

Minimum Requirements: Garda Vetting & Safeguarding 1. 

Link    https://faiconnect.ie/mycomet/private/seminars/38797135

Course Details: Online & In Person

Me & My Club | Blarney United

Wednesday, 15th October ONLINE & Thursday 16^th October | 6:30 – 9:30 | Cost €45 | T23 VK25

This course is aimed at coaches working in the adult game.  

Link https://faiconnect.ie/mycomet/private/seminars/38797483

Course Details: In Person

Me & My Skills | Leeds AFC

Tuesday, 22nd October | 6:30 – 9:30 | Cost €45  | T23 XW60

This course is aimed at coaches working with children aged 8-11. Coaches will build on the foundations of ‘Me & My Ball’, with further ball mastery & small-sided games to foster creativity.

Minimum Requirements: Garda Vetting & Safeguarding 1. 

Link    https://faiconnect.ie/mycomet/private/seminars/38797958

Course Details: In Person

Me & My Ball | Youghal United

Wednesday, 5th November | 6:30 – 9:30 | Cost €45 | P36 HP27

This course is aimed at coaches working with children aged 5-7. Coaches will learn how to create a fun, inclusive environment that emphasises positive movement, play, & ball skills. 

Minimum Requirements: Garda Vetting & Safeguarding 1. 

Link   https://faiconnect.ie/mycomet/private/seminars/38798475

Course Details: In Person

Me & My Skills | Youghal United

Wednesday, 12th November | 6:30 – 9:30 | Cost €45 | P36 HP27

This course is aimed at coaches working with children aged 8-11. Coaches will build on the foundations of ‘Me & My Ball’, with further ball mastery & small-sided games to foster creativity.

Minimum Requirements: Garda Vetting & Safeguarding 1. 

Link     https://faiconnect.ie/mycomet/private/seminars/38798576

Course Details: In Person

FAI Grassroots (Formerly D Licence) | Leeds AFC

Saturday, 15th November | 10:00 – 4:00 | Cost €90 | T23 XW60

Minimum Requirements: Garda Vetting & Safeguarding 1. Coaches must have two of the following pre- requisite courses to be eligible to register for the FAI Grassroots Coach -

PDP1/MMB, PDP2/MMS, PDP3/MMT or MMC/Adult Amateur

Link    https://faiconnect.ie/mycomet/private/seminars/38798243

Course Details: In Person

Goalkeeping Intro| Youghal United

Wednesday, 19th November | 6:30 – 9:30 | Cost €25 | P36 HP27

Minimum Requirements: Garda Vetting & Safeguarding 1. 

Link https://faiconnect.ie/mycomet/private/seminars/38798851

Course Details: In Person

National Goalkeeping Licence | Bandon AFC

Saturday 10^th and Sunday 11^th January 2026 | 10:00 – 5:00| Cost €150 |

Minimum Requirements: Garda Vetting,  Safeguarding 1 & Goalkeeping Intro Certificate. 

Link: https://faiconnect.ie/mycomet/private/seminars/38824729