A very novel sporting fixture will be played in Laois on Friday as a team from the North Pole are set to come to Portlaoise.
FC Santa Claus is a football club from Rovaniemi, Finland, and their U-13 team are coming to Portlaoise on Friday to face Portlaoise Rovers U-13s.
The origin of FC Santa Claus stems from the legend that Rovaniemi, Finland, is the home town of great man.
They chose to use the English name of Santa Claus, as opposed to the Finnish translation Joulupukki, since English is the most commonly spoken language in the world, allowing for increased awareness of the club.
Portlaoise are managed by Rosenallis’ Heather Goodwin and Portlaoise’s Jack O’Brien.
And speaking to LaoisToday, Heather explained how the two teams connected.
She said: “Through a friend of a friend, I became friendly with a girl called Mia Kiistala from Lapland who just happens to their U-13 team.
“We invited them over and after huge fundraising efforts, they are flying to Ireland later this week.”
But it is not just the game that FC Santa Claus will be taking part in – there is a Civic Reception and a meeting with a representative from the Finnish Embassy planned also.
Heather said: “There will be a Civic Reception hosted by Laois County Council in County Hall from 10am to 12 midday.
“A representative from the Finnish Embassy in Dublin is coming to give a speech in County Hall and watch the match afterwards.”
The game itself will kick off at 1pm in Rossleighan Park and a few different formats will be played.
Heather, who also coaches the Rosenallis U-9s and helps out with the Portlaoise U-13 girls when required, explained the plan for the rest of the day.
She said: “The match will kick off at 1pm in Rossleighan Park.
“We will play two 8-a-side games as they still play small sided games at U-13s level in Finland. Then we will play an 11-a-side game to finish off.
“Then the players are getting changed, going to Roll n Bowl from 4.30pm to 6pm and we’re all meeting at the Maldron Hotel from 6.30pm for dinner.
“Both sets of players, parents and coaches. Over 70 people in total. We are really looking forward to what should be a special day.”
PORTLAOISE AFC ROVERS U-13S: Abraham Izuogwu, Harry Quinn, Fionn McPhearson, Conor Marum, Alannah Lalor-Kane, Zaid Islam, Billy Watson, Andrew Delaney, Will Delaney, Charlie O Brien, Tom Goodwin, Richard Paulovics, Dylan Lawlor, Igor Olas, Jacob Day, Timur Masarob, Humza Raja, Alex Syder.
COACHES: Heather Goodwin and Jack O’Brien
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