SPEECH BY MAYOR OF CLARE TONY MULCAHY AT EVENT MARKING THE FAI’S DECISION TO HOST ITS 2011 AGM IN COUNTY CLARE
- West County Hotel, Ennis, Co Clare – 11-02-10
“Ladies and Gentlemen, Invited Guests,
On behalf of Clare County Council and my fellow elected representatives, it gives me great pleasure to join you today for what I would describe as a milestone in the promotion of soccer in County Clare.
I wish to extend a very special welcome to the Chief Executive of the Football Association of Ireland, John Delaney, and his Association colleagues to the Clare County Capital.
The FAI’s decision to choose Clare as the venue for their 2011 AGM is an important step in the continued development of soccer not only in County Clare but in the wider region.
It is very reassuring to see representatives from the business, sports and tourism sectors in County Clare gathered here today.
There is no doubt that the FAI’s decision to host its AGM here next year will help promote County Clare on a national level. The benefits for the County in hosting this event are significant and I have no doubt that the many tourism groups and business organisations gathered here today will play their part in ensuring the event is a success for everyone concerned.
I would like to point out that the FAI’s announcement comes at a time when there is already plenty of activity underway in Clare aimed at increasing participation in sport.
For example, the ‘County Clare Recreation & Sport Strategy 2009-2011’ – the first of its kind to be developed in the County – was launched in 2009. One of the primary objectives of the strategy is to achieve universal access to recreation and sports activities through the promotion and development of new and existing multi-purpose community facilities.
I believe that the FAI, though its various outreach programmes and indeed its initiation of Football Development Officers across the country, will contribute to the strategy’s long term vision being achieved.
On that note, I wish to pay tribute to the ongoing work of Clare’s Football Development Officer Denis Hynes, Jim Madden of the Clare and District Soccer League, Frank Gormley of the Clare Schoolboys League, John Sweeney of the Clare Sports Partnership, and everyone associated with soccer in the County for their ongoing excellent work in promoting the sport at a local level.
In addition I know that Clare County Council is delighted to be able to work in partnership with the FAI and looks forward to contributing to the development of the game here for many years to come.
The success of the work being carried out is reflected in the success of our County teams in national competition.
Drawing from a pool of 40 clubs and one thousand adult players, Clare’s Junior soccer team – under the stewardship of Hugh Kelly - have reached the quarter finals of the Oscar Traynor Cup and will play away to Sligo next month. Furthermore and for the first time, the Clare Youth side host Mayo in their first outing in a quarter final. I wish both teams the very best of luck.
In conclusion, I would like to congratulate everyone involved in bringing the FAI’s 2011 AGM to Clare and wish you every success in the future. Next year’s event will no doubt further raise the profile of the beautiful game in this County.
Comhgairdeas go léir agus go raibh mile maith agaibh”
TONY MULCAHY
MAYOR OF CLARE
