Time for school - football school

THIS is one school that's sure to prove popular with pupils.

The Mayo Football League has announced the establishment a school of football, in association with Joseph N'do, based in Milebush Park, Castlebar.

This new initiative will provide players of all ages with the opportunity to identify and learn how to develop their talent under the tutelage of N'do, who brings vast experience of the game following a professional career which spanned over 20 years playing in the top leagues in Europe and further afield.

Joseph completed his professional playing career in the Airtricity League, where he became one of the most decorated players in League of Ireland history.

At international level he won 21 caps for Cameroon, going to two World Cup tournaments as well as the African Nations Cup, which he won in 2000 and 2002.

N'Do began his coaching career at Sligo Rovers in 2010, when he was still signed as a player. Under then manager Paul Cook, he had the opportunity to take team training sessions and also one-to-one sessions with the players. This method played a part in each player's development and contributed to the club's success, leading to six medals in five years (2010 League Cup and FAI Cup, 2011 FAI Cup, 2012 league championship, 2013 FAI Cup and 2014 Setanta Cup).

After finishing his professional playing career Joseph got involved with Achill Rovers in a coaching capacity in 2015 and has since taken on the role of head coach to the Mayo League’s representative team.

The school will focus on six key points: mentality, technique, physique, tactics, creativity, and enjoyment. The curriculum will initially run in six-week cycles, with young players between 10 and 13 years of age to be taught and coached in one group while a second group of young players aged between 14 and 16 will form a separate class. Starting this month, the class be held once a week, with a maximum of 12 players per group.

For further enquiries and enrolment information, contact the Mayo Football League coaching officer, Seamus Hughes, on (083) 8065370.