New Youth Development Director

We are delighted to announce Marc Keeley as our new Youth Development Director. Marc has been with the club for a number of years and understands the Francis Way. He brings extensive experience to the role from both playing and coaching and will oversee the ongoing development of all our youth teams (U13 - U18).  

Speaking about his new appointment Marc said - "I have been dedicated to football coaching since the age of 19, beginning at Lourdes Celtic and then spending five successful years at Shamrock Rovers. In June 2020, I took over the LSL 20's team at St Francis, where helped the team to win the league. A large number of those players are still part of the senior set up.

For the past two seasons, I have worked alongside Jeff Lahart with the 16P/17P teams, continuing to develop young talent successfully. I hold a degree in Sports Management and Coaching from South East Technology University and have completed my coaching badges up to the UEFA B License.

Additionally, I have coached the Senior Women’s College team, working with current and former Irish internationals. As a player, I have extensive experience in the LSL, including stints with Shamrock Rovers (u19's), Bangor Celtic, Crumlin United, St John Bosco, and St Pats CY.

I am excited about the opportunity to bring my skills and experience to this role."

TRANSFER NEWS

Congratulations to senior player Divin Isamala for signing his first professional contract with Bohemians FC.

Divin has been with St Francis since he was 14 and was part of many successful teams in that period. He was promoted to the senior team at 19 and his progression saw him selected for the Ireland Amateur team last season.

Director of Football Simon Madden had this to say - “Divin is an outstanding young player with huge potential to develop into a top defender. Divine has all the attributes a modern-day centre back requires and is a great person who wants to succeed. I have no doubt he will give his all to Bohemians.”

Senior Sunday manager Kevin Smith commented “Divin is a top lad who myself and my management team had the pleasure of working with and helping him progress over the last number of years and we wish him well”

St Francis Treasurer Stuart Smith, who coached Divin from a young age, said “Divin joined the club when he was 14 and I and the rest of the coaching team had the pleasure of coaching him up to U20s where he was playing while only 18. His commitment to his development was always evident. I couldn't be happier for Divin”

Everyone at the club wishes you all the best Divin and we will be watching your career with huge interest.

🟢⚪VVV🟢⚪ 

Summer Camps 2024

Bookings are now open for our two Summer Camps, July 22nd - 26th and August 12th - 16th. Both camps will run each day from 10am until 2pm.

The cost per child is €90 and discounts are available for multiple children or multiple camps.

⚽ Plenty of fun ✅

⚽ Develop football skills ✅

⚽ Includes Macron T-shirt ✅

⚽ Family Discounts ✅

Book your place using the link below 👇

https://member.clubforce.com/memberships_cart_m.asp?LL_ID=2150

2023 Annual Coaches Game

Once again our coaches got together on St Stephens Day for our annual coaches match.

Bibs, captained by Simon Madden, against non-bibs captained by Stuart Smith. 

A quick start to the game from the bibs and they soon found themselves 3 up after 5 minutes. This didn't seem to bother the non-bib captain as shouts of "they won't last the pace" were heard. 

The non-bibs pulled a couple back but it was the bibs that looked the strongest throughout the first half. The finishing was shocking though with quite a few balls ending up on the far side of the road. We won't name the coaches but the U12 Girls must do a lot of practicing at home 😉

Half time came and the non-bibs were only trailing by two (somehow). 

Some changes at half time were called for so young Aaron Rice switched from the dark side to join the non-bibs with Kelly going the opposite way. An exhausted Henvey was replaced by Podge who was unlucky not to start today. If he’d have just made those last two sets of lights, he’d a been a sure thing to start.  

The second half started with Smith (Stuart) scoring an audacious lob from the kick off. The bibs acted quickly though and Kelly was replaced in goal by Heyc 😂

The game became tight as the introduction of Podge at half time brought a calmness to the non-bibs. A quick 5-minute spell though saw the bibs once gain take control of the game going 3 up. 

The earlier shouts of the bibs not lasting the pace started to come true and the non-bibs superior fitness started to show. 👀

They went 3 upfront with Saunders, Bergin and Smith (Stephen) and it paid dividends as suddenly there was just one goal in it with minutes left to play. Some play acting by the bibs came to nothing near the end with both Madden and Boyle showing their desperation with claims of all sorts in the opposition box. Referee Patchell was quick to wave them away. 

This didn't bother the non-bibs and after a quick kickout, they found themselves in a 4v2 attack. With Finn tearing down the outside (ala Father Sensini😂), Podge played a neat little ball for Finn to pick out Bergin at the back post and he slotted home the equalizer.

So it was penalties that would decide 67 minutes of free flowing, high intensity football.🤣

The non-bibs were up first and it was game changer Podge who cooly slotted the ball past Heyc and into the corner, 1-0.

Next up was Madden for the bibs but it was Rice with the save, still 1-0.

Jemmer “The Rock” Kelly then stepped up, and boom 2-0 with a top corner finish.

The bibs were in early trouble and next up was Smyth with a cool finish making it 2-1.

Next it was John “solid 7.5 all day” Saunders but the pressure got to him and he hit it straight at the keeper, still 2-1.

The bibs needed to score and Rhatigan obliged with a neat finish, 2-2!!

Next up was Finn, who thundered the ball into the net to make it 3-2.

Then came father v son but it was youth that prevailed with a fine save by Rice, still 3-2.

It was Bergin to win it for the non-bibs and he did so with a rabona that saw the ball trickle past the keeper.

Game over and the non-bibs take the honours for 2023!!!