The sight of a current Republic of Ireland Women's National Team player coming to their INTERSPORT Elverys FAI Summer Soccer Schools camp sent the girls crazy at Albion Rovers.

In what was an exclusive girls-only camp, nothing could dampen the enthusiasm - not even the rain - once WNT midfielder Jamie Finn turned up to get involved in some coaching and answer questions from the girls present.

Already this summer, over 200 girls have taken part in Summer Soccer Schools camps across County Louth, where there has been a big push to engage with the local communities and increase participation amongst girls throughout the region.

The Louth Schoolgirls League has been doing terrific work in this regard, with an estimated 550 girls currently playing, while the Summer Soccer Schools camps have provided an introduction for many girls just starting out playing football.

Finn, who has five senior WNT caps, said: "It was great to have the opportunity to give back to girls starting out on their footballing journey. You could see the excitement as they were having so much fun playing and making new friends.

"For women's football to continue to grow in this country, we need more coaches and volunteers at every club to encourage girls to get involved. There is some fantastic work already happening in various communities and the INTERSPORT Elverys FAI Summer Soccer Schools camps make a huge difference in that regard."

FAI Development Officer Mick Neville, who has been overseeing the camps in Louth, echoed those sentiments by saying: "We've seen a big increase this year on the number of girls playing football and a big part of that was being able to host the girls-only INTERSPORT Elverys FAI Summer Soccer Schools camps in Louth and in Dundalk.

"The girls are loving being out playing football, meeting new friends, learning different skills and getting exercise. And then to have a current Ireland international in Jamie Finn come down was a huge bonus and you could see the girls beaming at having her there.

"A lot of credit must go to the Louth Schoolgirls League and the various volunteers at clubs across the County for helping to give girls the chance to play football each week. The camps have added to that and brought even more girls in, which is what it's all about."

Finn's appearance at the INTERSPORT Elverys FAI Summer Soccer Schools camp in Louth follows on from Ireland WNT Manager Vera Pauw stopping in at camps in Sporting Greystones and Tyrrelstown earlier this week.

Bookings remain open for selected camps, so check the website to secure a place at your local club now- https://bookings.summersoccerschools.ie/s/