The Republic of Ireland U21 soccer team made use of the sports facilities at IT Sligo this week when they were in Sligo to play Hungary in the 2013 UEFA Under-21 Championship Group Seven qualifier.
The team trained on the Institute’s soccer pitch the night before their 2-1 victory over the Hungarian team and they returned on Friday for a follow up training session before departing for Dublin, where they then flew out to Hungary for the second part of the double-header is in Manisa.
The Assistant Manager of the team, Harry McCue, said they were very impressed with the facilities on campus at IT Sligo; “We were delighted with the facilities; the pitch is excellent and the environment is great. The facilities are a match with any you’d find in the universities in Dublin,” he said.
“We’ve had a great experience in Sligo, with the hotel, the Showgrounds, the crowds and the facilities at IT Sligo. And it’s also been lucky for us – we’ve won two out of our last two matches here.”
The team presented a signed jersey to Knocknarea Arena staff members Daniel Furey and Lynda Sage before leaving for Dublin.
Head of Development and Business Operations Gordon Ryan said that the team’s endorsement of the facilities is a testament to the standard of the Institute’s playing pitches and the Knocknarea Arena; “We were delighted to have the U21 Ireland team training on campus. It demonstrates the value of the high standard facilities here at IT Sligo. We have invested heavily in our sports facilities in recent years and we now have some of the best in the North West. The Knocknarea Arena, the Athletics Track and the playing pitches are a resource for the entire region and we welcome teams of all levels and abilities on campus.”
The Knocknarea Arena comprises a fully equipped gym which is open to public membership, a sports hall large enough to accommodate two full five-a-side pitches or two basketball courts, and a multipurpose room. Amongst the other sports facilities on campus are a floodlit championship standard playing pitch for Gaelic games and rugby; floodlit soccer pitch complete with dugouts available for FAI certified games; Floodlit eight lane, international standard athletics arena, and a floodlit all weather Astro turf pitch.
For more information contact 071 9255211.
Image Captions:
Image 1: Irish U21 team members presentation to Knocknarea Arena staff Daniel Furey and Lynda Sage
Image 2: Irish U21 team training on IT Sligo’s pitches
Image 3: Irish U21 team presentation to Knocknarea Arena staff Daniel Furey and Lynda Sage
Image 4: Robbie Brady of Manchester United with the U21 Ireland players, having a training session at IT Sligo, yesterday, following their Victory over Hungary in the UEFA under-21 European Championship Group 7 qualifier at the Showgrounds in Sligo.
Photo: James Connolly / PicSell8
