I am delighted that my friend Brian Sloan from Brookvale YBFC was recently given a prestigious award by UEFA for his role in grassroots youth football.

Brian is from Bessbrook, where I grew up, and he and Brookvale developed a link many years ago with Merseyside Schools FA through Rainford man Terry Duffy, and last year they visited St Helens to play a friendly game against Rainford Rangers – whose junior sides have previously been to south Armagh to play them.

Terry sadly passed away over the summer, but I was glad to be able to mention Terry, Brian and the friendship and special connection between my “homes”.