GRAHAM Fallon, Ben O'Connell and Paul Boyle with their coaches Franny Fallon and Richie Geraghty Photo: Ray Ryan.

Tuam Celtic Academy reaps success as Republic of Ireland come calling

WITH over 220 youngsters chasing their dream of a professional soccer career every Saturday morning, Tuam Celtic’s Cloonthue campus has become an incubator for young sporting talent through its Academy that celebrates its tenth anniversary this year.
A decade of dedication from coaches and parents has now led to two teenagers, who started out as Academy players, being called for assessment with the Republic of Ireland squad at the FAI’s training centre in Abbotstown.
Ben O’Connell, 17, from Gardenfield and Donie Halleran, 14, of Coolpark have been called up for international training with the FAI in recent weeks. Ben, who plays centre midfield, has been put on standby for the U-18 panel who are playing Wales at the end of the month.

Read the full story in this week's edition