Former NI star coaches Jordanstown School kids

Coach Barry Campbell from Action on Hearing Loss and ex Northern Ireland international Mal Donaghy coaching the yellow team at Jordanstown School. INNT 29-524-SO

The ex-Luton Town, Manchester United and Chelsea star, who also played in NI’s famous victory over Spain in 1982, now works as a coach with the Irish Football Association.

Part of the school’s summer scheme programme, the coaching was a great experience for the children ,and Mal enjoyed the challenge.

It meant having to adapt exercises and to communicate his instructions clearly in both voice and signs.

He was assisted by Barry Campbell, the first deaf person to qualify as an IFA coach, and fellow IFA coach Alan Crooks.

Frances Stroud, a teacher at the school who organised the summer scheme programme, was delighted to have Mal and his colleagues on board.

Anne Magee, Jordanstown School principal, said it was an “all round success for pupils, parents and volunteer staff”.

She plans to extend the scheme next summer and to utilise the facilities available at the modern, purpose-built school and centre of excellence, which is open to children and young people aged 4 - 19 who are deaf or have visual impairments.