The Republic of Ireland men's and women's football managers made a surprise visit to an east Cork primary school today.
They met boys and girls at Carrigtwohill Community National School as part of the FAI's Me and My Ball initiative, to deliver footballs to schools nationwide.
There was a warm welcome for men's Head Coach Heimir Halgrimsson, his assistant, John O'Shea, and women's Head Coach, Carla Ward, as they arrived at the 450-pupil school.
The school was presented with footballs signed by the national team managers on behalf of the FAI, to help promote the game.
Many pupils also got to ask questions of the managers during a Q&A session.
Nine-year old Ava O'Keeffe asked Carla Ward what her goal for the women's national team was.
"To get to the Brazil World Cup next year, because I believe we can," Carla Ward shot back.
Eight-year old Alexander Miscoi asked the men's head coaches how confident they were of qualifying for the World Cup.
"It's not going to be easy," replied Heimir Halgrimsson, "but definitely we have a big chance and we are in a good moment".
He stressed that, for the men's senior team, attention is now focussed on the World Cup play-off semi-final away to the Czech Republic next month, following Troy Parrott's hattrick against Hungary in November.
"What we have said from day one, since I'm here, is I think this team has enough to qualify, [but] Czech Republic has probably won 90% of their home matches," Mr Halgrimsson told RTÉ News.
John O'Shea added: "We'll have full focus on Czechia. Simply, if you look at their record at home, they've a very strong record at home. We know lots of their players play in the top leagues around Europe, so it's a good test for our boys but, if you had given us this situation beforehand, and you're telling the players 'these are the games you have to play to get to a World Cup', we would have taken it beforehand."
Ireland's women's team are also busy preparing for a World Cup qualifying year ahead.
"I'm always confident, but there are only 11 teams from Europe that can make the World Cup and that's really difficult because we know that there are some top nations out there, so we know it's not going to be easy," Carla Ward said.
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