Times winners enjoy unforgettable night at NI match

The opportunity to walk out as a Player Escort is provided by McDonald’s who, this year, is celebrating ten years as the Official Community Partner of the Irish FA and through this partnership is helping young footballers shine.

James, from Broughshane, and Carniny Road lad Caolan won a competition in the Ballymena Times and got to experience first-hand the excitement of the build up to the game, including being pitch-side as the Northern Ireland team warmed up, before walking out hand-in-hand with Northern Ireland players Dean Shiels and Shane Ferguson.

Player escorts form a key part of McDonald’s Community partnership with the Irish FA.

This partnership is currently delivering a lasting legacy for grassroots football through ongoing coach creation and education, a new Club Accreditation Scheme, through a series of regional Small Sided Games Centres and through the McDonald’s Irish FA Community Awards which recognise and reward the unsung heroes of grassroots football.