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Media Kit: Archived Press Releases
Shell Shockers' Head Coach Receives Prestigious Invite
May 18, 2006
Shell Shockers Head Coach Kenny Farrell has been invited to a practice session held by the Northern Ireland national soccer side.
Kenny will fly to Chicago next week to get a first-hand look at the team from the Emerald Isle who are on a prestigious two-match tour of the United States.
The squad represents the cream of the country’s talent and features top-class players from all over the British Isles and Europe. They compete in the European qualifying region of the World Cup which is the highest level of professional international soccer.
Kenny said today (NOTE: THURSDAY): “This is a tremendous honor and I would like to thank the Irish Football Association for this generous gesture.
“The chance to talk with coaches and players from the very pinnacle of the game and to see their training methods at such close quarters will benefit both the Shell Shockers and the whole New Orleans soccer community.”
The Northern Ireland side sent sporting shockwaves shooting around the world recently when they beat David Beckham’s England - only their third competitive defeat in five years. They are coached by former playing legend Lawrie Sanchez who scored one of the most famous winning goals in English soccer history for Wimbledon against Liverpool in the FA Cup Final at Wembley in 1988.
The Shell Shockers have had a tough fight to get ready for this season and play their first home league game on Saturday (NOTE: MAY 20) since Katrina. The homes of all three owners were flooded, their coach was lucky to escape with his life after being trapped on the roof of a house which was under water for two days, and some players lost everything they own in the hurricane. The damage to their home ground means they have been forced out of New Orleans and will play all but one of their home fixtures in neighboring Kenner.
Irish Football Association Communications Manager Sueann Harrison said: “People from all around the world were moved by the suffering and destruction Katrina brought to New Orleans. When we heard about the battle the Shell Shockers faced just to play soccer in the city we wanted to show the support of the international soccer community.
“Although we have a busy touring schedule we are glad Kenny accepted our invitation and we hope it will give a boost to the Shell Shockers squad and staff during what will be a difficult campaign.”
Northern Ireland will play Uruguay at Giants Stadium on Sunday and then travel to Chicago to take on Romania at Soldier Field on May 26. Organizers are hoping for a large local support as tens of millions of Americans claim Irish heritage.