An educational night for all at the inaugural Sean McCaffrey Foundation/Monaghan United-Cavan Football Partnership Football Focus night

The Garage Theatre in Monaghan was the venue a fortnight ago for the inaugural Football Focus night organised by the Seán McCaffrey Foundation, in partnership with Monaghan United Cavan Football Partnership (MUCFP).

The brainchild of former Monaghan United and Dundalk striker Paul Smyth was designed to give audience members a taste of life as a professional soccer player.

With a large number of MUCFP underage players in attendance among the large gathering in the packed theatre, the target market was well-represented.

The night comprised three speakers who have experience and knowledge in their own particular fields, while there was a question and answers session with former Wolves and current Dundalk goalkeeper Aaron McCarey.

The Scotstown man was recently called into the Republic of Ireland senior side and has experienced the ups and downs of the professional game.

First up was the FAI’s national Schools and Universities co-ordinator, Mark Scanlon. The Meathman presented a talk on how to marry education with soccer as an underage player.

He spoke of the importance of being prepared for a life outside soccer – it’s a short career so it’s necessary to have plans in place for a profession away from the field.

The numbers playing in the colleges leagues is continuing to rise and there are close links being forged with third level institutions on a developing basis – DCU and Shelbourne this season being the latest. For more information on this area see Third Level Football.

Next to speak was Pat McGibbon, an ex-Manchester United defender who carved out an impressive career for himself in England, playing at Wembley on a number of occasions and representing Wigan Athletic with distinction on more than 100 occasions.

McGibbon has set up an academy called Train 2B Smart where the emphasis is on developing resilience and the mental aspects of soccer.

He recalled incidents in his own life which had strengthened his mentality and highlighted the importance of the mind in top level soccer.

McCarey was interviewed by MUCFP under-19 player Seosamh Sheerin about his career so far in order to portray in an authentic manner what life was truly like as a professional soccer player.

McCarey, who was signed at Wolves by current Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy a decade ago following a season in the Monaghan United first team as a teenager, spent eight years at Wolves where he endured a stop-start experience.

He was at numerous clubs on loan from the Molineux giants and eventually left to join Ross County in search of first team football.

However, his rival for the number one position, Scott Fox, was on the fringes of the Scotland squad and had received many plaudits the previous year so it proved a rather unfruitful experience culminating in relegation.

The former Monaghan GAA underage player spoke candidly about returning to play with Warrenpoint Town, managed by his friend Stephen McDonnell, and getting his move to Dundalk.

The interview was outstanding in its raw honesty and captured the imagination of everyone present.

To conclude proceedings, Republic of Ireland under-19 manager Tom Mohan spoke.

The Fermanagh man, who is currently in Russia with the Ireland side for their elite European Championship qualifiers, was heavily influenced by the late McCaffrey.

Mohan referenced the former Dundalk manager throughout his presentation, a glimpse into life as an elite underage international player, complete with clips and commentary from the recent victory over Holland.

Every speaker paid tribute to the work carried out by Seán McCaffrey throughout his career and it is hoped that the Foundation will carry out more work in the near future to assist local players in their development.

A fantastic night’s education and enjoyment was had by all and an event well worth repeating next year.

Keep an eye out for communication from The Seán McCaffrey Foundation on Twitter or Instagram. It’s certain to be a sell-out.