Future Irish Football Stars Put the Goal in the Back of the Net with Dublin Bus

On Thursday, 8th July, 20 lucky 10-14 year olds from Ringsend and Irishtown Community Centre’s (RICC) Summer Project were given the opportunity of a life time as they put Niall Quinn (Chairman of Sunderland F.C. and former Irish International footballer) to the test in the Dublin Bus annual Penalty Shoot Out. 

Held in the sports grounds of Irishtown Stadium, the atmosphere was electric as the children from RICC’s summer project were on hand to cheer on their friends as they went up against soccer legend Niall Quinn.

This is the fifth year of the Dublin Bus Niall Quinn Penalty Shoot Out with a new area chosen to host the event each year. During the day, Niall Quinn treated the selected 20 football fanatics to an intense coaching session before going head to head in a Penalty Shoot Out competition. The winners were then presented with prizes by Niall at a ceremony in the afternoon.

This year the event was organised by Dublin Bus in conjunction with RICC and An Garda Síochána and is just one in a series of events which Dublin Bus undertakes as part of its Schools Programme.

Commenting on the programme Niall Quinn, who is also the patron of the Dublin Bus Community Support Programme, said, “It is great to be involved in such a rewarding initiative which supports local communities throughout the Greater Dublin Area. It was such a delight to see the passion that these children have for football. Hopefully days like today will help children gain the confidence and the life skills they need to reach their full potential”.