OVERVIEW

Guidelines

To all parents, guardians and visitors to Paddy’s Hill. Thank you in advance for attending the PAFC Mini Leagues 2025.

In order for our weekend of football and fun to run as smoothly as possible, we ask you to adhere to the following basic guidelines:

• Promote and model good sportsmanship at all times.
• Provide constructive feedback and positive reinforcement to all players during and after games.
• Maintain open and respectful communication with players, coaches and club officials.
• Respect the decisions of referees and officials.
• Serve as a role model for our young players, in your behaviour and support for our club over the entire weekend.

Remember, our tournament is a fun event and is primarily intended to celebrate and showcase the skills of our young players in a safe and structured environment.
The pressures of the season past have gone. Please allow the children an opportunity to enjoy this end of season festival of football. Do all you can to ensure that they have a positive experience and are prepared for three days of football fun.

Portmarnock AFC promotes a Smoke and Vape free environment. Please protect our children and members and refrain from smoking / vaping on our grounds.

Please ensure that you use the bins on site and keep our grounds tidy.

By following the guidelines outlined above, you will help Portmarnock AFC to continue to stand out as an inclusive, child centred sports club that the community can be proud of.



Teams

To see which team your child is in, refer to the competitions.

1. Competitions are divide by age group
   • 2014-2015 boys
   • 2016-2017 boys
   • 2014-2015-2016 girls
   • 2017 girls
2. Check through the name lists to find your child's team

Fixtures

When you know the team and competition your child is in, you can find all their fixtures in the section Fixtures in that competition.

Fixtures contains information about

• Pitches
• Times
• Mini Leagues format
• Live updates (match results)

Note: Match results are updated live throughout the 3 days of the Mini Leagues (Friday, Saturday & Sunday). We will update the App at the end of each round for the group stages and then at the end of each match from the quarter finals onward.

Before going to Paddy's Hill, please make sure to check the Last minute info box in the OVERVIEW. This is where we will post any changes at short notice.


Meeting time

See match times for each competition in the Fixtures.

Children must arrive to the assigned pitch at least 10 minutes before the start of their match. For the first match of the day, please have your child at the designated meeting point at least 15 minutes before the start time.

To ensure that the Mini Leagues run as smoothly as possible, we will start all matches on time. Should your child be running late, please contact your Lead Coach directly.


Meeting point

On arrival to Paddy's Hill, please meet at the designated meeting points for each team. The details can be found in the section OVERVIEW section.

The assigned pitch for each match can be found in Fixtures.


Gear & equipment

The Mini Leagues are played on grass (not on Astro)

Football boots (mandatory)

Shinguards (mandatory)

Football socks (mandatory)


Training t-shirt or jersey


Football shorts (mandatory)

Goalkeeper gloves (optional)

Water bottle (can be refilled at the clubhouse). Please put name labels on bottles

Sun hat/cap for between matches

Please apply suncream as needed


Note: Bibs and football will be provided at each match.

Any changes to the plan are posted here. Please make sure to check this section before leaving home.

Friday
No change

Saturday
No change

Sunday
No change

This year we are using a Mini Leagues App to facilitate access to information and provide live results. Match results will be updated at the end of each round for the group stages and then after each match from the quarter finals onward. For a mobile version of this website, tap on the top left icon as shown below.The OVERVIEW section has guidelines and practical information for parents/guardians/visitors. It also shows a layout of the facilities at Paddy's Hill, the Mini Leagues rules and a list of the main contacts. The sub section Last minute info is where we post any changes to the plan so please make sure to check before leaving home.The GIRLS COMPETITIONS & BOYS COMPETITIONS sections list all teams and fixtures. This is where you need to look to find out which team your child is in and details about matches. The sub section Fixtures gives you details and information about

• Pitches
• Match times
• Mini Leagues format
• Live updates (Match results)

Go to the SERVICES section to find info about

• PITCHES
• CLUB SHOP
• FOOD & DRINKS
• LOST AND FOUND
• SOCIAL MEDIA

The QUESTIONS section allows you to contact us directly by either email or phone. Please note that you can contact us directly before and during the Mini Leagues.Note: In the footer of the Menu (small icon), you have a search option.

Below is the layout of the facilities at Paddy's Hill during the Mini Leagues.

Note: On Saturday the Nippers (2018-2019) will also have their Mini Leagues on grass.


We have a Medical kit on site. Should you need medical assistance, please contact :

• Brian Aherne (087 985 3767)
• Conor Molan (086 816 6878)

Toilets are available in the clubhouse.

Portmarnock AFC promotes a smoke and vape free zone, please refrain from smoking on our grounds.

Bike racks are available beside the clubhouse.

Parking spaces are limited so we would encourage everyone to walk or cycle when possible. For safety reasons, please reverse to park your car.

Hot food is available beside the clubhouse on Saturday and Sunday. For the menu please refer to the Food & drinks section.

Hot drinks are available beside the clubhouse. For the menu please refer to the Food & drinks section.

Ice cream van parked in the car park near the clubhouse. Please make sure children don't run into the car park from the queue/van.

We put plenty of bins around the club property and we would appreciate if you can use them. We all want to enjoy a clean environment. Your cooperation is much appreciated.

Dogs are not allowed on the club property.

Note that in the event of adverse weather conditions, there is no shelter available.

Match Rules

• All matches are 5 a side, with roll on/off substitutions.
• Format is 24-minute games of 2x12 minute halves with a 2 minute half time break.
• Game start/end: All games start, half time, restart and finish are on the hooter. No exceptions.

2016/17 Boys & 2017 Girls
 

• Standard FAI rules apply for retreat lines and restarts, with some tweaks below.
• Retreat line comes into play when the goalkeeper has a goal kick and when the goalkeeper is playing out from their hands.
• Corner kicks allowed.
• No throw-ins, Only kick-ins.
• Players can dribble in for kick-ins but cannot score directly from a kick-in or dribble in and shoot. If a goal is scored from a deflection on a shot from a kick-in, it does not count. From the throw in there must be a pass before a goal is scored.
• No kick outs from the hands by goalkeepers allowed, but throw outs are permitted.
• Goalkeeper can only handle ball inside of the box.
• Restarts will be a tip-off from the centre circle after a goal occurs.
• If no referees, coaches to step in when required.

2014/15 Boys & 2014/15/16 Girls

• Referees for all games - Please respect these volunteers.
• The Box acts as a retreat line. The “Retreat Box” comes into play when the goalkeeper has a goal kick and when the goalkeeper is playing out from their hands. No opposition can touch the ball until the ball is outside the box. Box is a safe zone for the keeper. (i.e the keeper can put the ball down and pass it out of the box, without any opposition player encroaching into the box)
• Players can dribble in for kick-ins but cannot score directly from a kick-in or dribble in and shoot. If a goal is scored from a deflection on a shot from a throw in, it does not count. From the kick-in there must be a pass before a goal is scored.
• Goalkeeper can only handle ball inside of the box.
• Tip-offs after a goal to restart the game.
• Referees will award penalties or free kicks (7 yards) at their discretion. A penalty will only be awarded for a foul or handball in the area that denies a goalscoring opportunity. All other fouls or handballs will be indirect free kicks.

Tournament format rules

• At the Conclusion of each game the referee will go to the designated match official and will give them the names of the teams and the scoreline.
• At the conclusion of the group stage, any teams tied on points will be ranked by:
  • Head to head result, if tied,
  • Goal difference, if tied,
  • Goals scored, if tied,
  • Coaches coin toss.

• After the group stages, knock- out games will be settled by a 3 penalty shoot out with additional penalties to settle if required. 
• No extra time to be played at any stage.
• During the penalty shoot-out, all players to remain behind the retreat line/ half-way line until it is their turn to take a penalty.

• Anthony Canavan 087 989 0914
• Karen Leen 086 331 6002
• Paddy Jordan 086 385 1077

You can also email Anthony (see QUESTIONS section for email details). He will reply by the end of each day. Note that this form can be used before and during the Mini Leagues and please feel free to use it. We want to be sure you have all the necessary information.