The Sean McCaffrey Foundation Coaching Programme reached its conclusion last weekend with the graduation of 18 coaches on the UEFA C Licence course, presented by Irish international Conor Hourihane.

The foundation's work continues to go from strength-to-strength in the third year of the programme which supports local grassroots coaches from Monaghan and Cavan through the FAI coach education pathway. 

Fully funded courses using a tailored, supportive and timed approach from 2022-2024, the foundation has supported those 18 coaches throughout their journey, culminating in the graduation last weekend.

The initiative has been rolled out by FAI staff and has ensured Sean’s impact on the game continues even in his absence. In Year One of the programme, 106 coaches were engaged across five courses, PDP1, PDP2, PDP3, Adult Amateur and Goalkeeping Fundamentals. 

Year Two saw 46 coaches complete the National D Licence with courses in both Monaghan and Cavan, and from that, 27 coaches moved forward to the UEFA Leaders Award during this period which shows the coaching journey for the coaches in full swing. 

The programme has now reached its conclusion as 18 coaches completed their UEFA C Licence course this weekend. A graduation for the coaches will take place on Sunday afternoon where Irish international and current Derby County player, Conor Hourihane will present coaches with their award. 

"It was a great event and congratulations to all of the coaches who've graduated through the programme with the support through the foundation," said FAI Head of Education Niall O'Regan. 

"The foundation's work is crucial to the growth of the game in Monaghan and Cavan, and I've no doubt this will begin to make a substantial to the game in the years to come. To have grassroots coaches who've graduated through the FAI coach education pathway is only going to be a great benefit to our game in the future." 

"The work of the Sean McCaffrey Foundation has had an incredible impact on the game up here in Cavan and Monaghan," said FAI Development Officer Paul Smyth. 

"Grassroots clubs are already beginning to benefit from coaches who are harnessing their skills and learning about the game in great detail and this is only going to benefit players, both children and adults, in Monaghan and Cavan. Sean was incredibly passionate about the growth of the game in this area and I'm sure he would be extremely proud to see the work going on today. Also, a big congratulations to Gene Cullivan who received the inaugural Sean McCaffrey Foundation Services to Football Award." 

"Sean McCaffrey was a huge figure in my Ireland underage career," said Irish international Conor Hourihane. 

"To be asked to go back and be part of the day through his foundation was an honour and good luck to all of the coaches on their coaching journey."