The popular Clare Schoolboys/Girls Youth Soccer Festival takes place once again this weekend, Saturday, April 25th & Sunday, April 26th across the Banner County. The preparation event is in its 18th year and has grown from a 1-day, 4-team, 80-player, 6-game event to now being a 2-day, 23-team, 600-player, 50-game event.

The 2026 event will see 13 Kennedy Cup Squads & 10 Gaynor Cup Squads participate in a series of 50 games aimed at fine-tuning each league’s respective preparations for the annual SFAI Kennedy Cup & Gaynor Cup Tournaments, which are held at the University of Limerick in June.

A countywide event that will see Tulla United, Active Ennis, Lees Road Sports Complex and Newmarket Celtic host Kennedy Cup Squads fixtures on Saturday & Sunday and Active Ennis Lees Road Complex will welcome 13 Gaynor Cup Squads from across the Country on Sunday.

Speaking in relation to the 2026 event, CSSL Committee Member, Denis Hynes, stated: The CSSL Youth Soccer Festival has increased & grown in popularity since its inception in 2008, credit must go to the positive partnerships that exist locally between both Clare Schoolboys/Girls Soccer League & Clare District Soccer League, Grassroots clubs & Clare County Council & the Clare ISRS branch who all work together to ensure that the CSSL Youth Soccer Festival gets full support & attention over the weekend. The event also showcases the excellent facilities that have been developed across County Clare, with FAI Club Mark Clubs Tulla United and Newmarket Celtic’s & Clare County Council’s facilities at Active Ennis, Lees Road Sports Complex, providing fitting stages for young players to showcase their talents.

The unique difference in the festival format is that since its inception in 2008 the event has had a player development focus aimed at assisting overall squad preparation ahead of the SFAI Kennedy & Gaynor Cup tournaments in June. This allows all players, coaches, match officials and spectators to showcase their talents and participate in representative football in an encouraging environment ahead of the upcoming prestigious U14 SFAI Gaynor Cup & Kennedy Cup tournaments.

To view the full CSSL Youth Soccer Festival Fixtures Schedule 2026, go to www.cssl.ie . All are welcome to attend the action over the weekend.

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