Devine inspiration

From Dublin to Delhi, from Arsenal to Shamrock Rovers and from player to coach, former international John Devine is bringing a wealth of experience to bear on a plan to save Irish football.

"Back to street football is the whole concept,” says John Devine, the former Arsenal and Ireland full-back who, as Coaching Director of the South Dublin Football League, is practicing and promoting an innovative approach to acquainting kids with the beauty in the beautiful game.

Whole-heartedly embraced by the SDFL, Devine’s player development programme begins by emphasising the fun aspect for children aged from seven to 11 so that they can indulge a love of the sport while developing their skills free from the pressure of results, tables and the all too familiar spectacle of apoplectic adults screaming ‘get rid of it’ from the sidelines. John Giles and Eamon Dunphy have both given Devine’s programme their public backing while the initiative has also received support from Liam Brady, Paul McGrath and Niall Quinn.