Republic of Ireland international striker Evan Ferguson took time out from his mid-season break at Brighton & Hove Albion to share his experiences with the students at Scoil Chiaráin in Glasnevin as they enjoyed their latest Football For All Futsal In The Yard programme coaching session with the FAI.

Football For All Development Officer Heather Jameson led the skills session as Evan joined in with the P3 and P4 classes at the football mad Dublin school.

“It’s been nice coming in to see the kids,” Evan told FAI TV. “Football is a sport for everyone and they’ve all been running around here and enjoying it. It is nice to see everyone getting involved and I think Football For All and Futsal In The Yard is a really good thing the FAI are putting on. It was good to see them all taking an interest and some of the students asked me some really hard questions that I had to think about.”

Having made his international bow under Stephen Kenny at the Aviva Stadium last week against Norway, Evan added a second cap as a substitute in the 1-0 win over Malta on Sunday last and the 18-year-old is already looking forward to 2023.

“Having my family there in the Aviva for my first Ireland cap was a real highlight,” added the former St Kevin’s Boys and Bohemians striker who started both legs of the recent European Under 21 Championship play-off against Israel.

“I used to go all the games as a kid, going down and hearing the bell in the South Stand and all those things then going out there in front of my family and friends is such a different thing that not many people can say they have done. I am glad I have the opportunity to do it.”

FAI Football For All Development Officer Heather Jameson was delighted to welcome Evan to Scoil Chiaráin. She said: “The Futsal In The Yard programme has been a great success across the country and Scoil Chiaráin have been at the forefront of the programme in Dublin. They have really supported us in this scheme and it was great to have Evan with us today and for him to join in with the boys and girls in their sessions. They got a great buzz meeting him and chatting with him and I know they will be supporting Evan all the way in his Ireland career.”