Macroom FC join with Munster Senior League

THE beginning of the 2020/21 football season will see Macroom FC embark on an exciting new departure as it becomes a member of the Munster Senior League (MSL).

This move will bring to an end a long association between the club and the Cork Athletic Union league (AUL).

When Macroom FC was formed by a group of ambitious young people back in 1977, the club was accepted into the AUL and was hugely proud of 43 years of unbroken membership.

There are many great stories and memories from the thousands of matches played by Macroom adult teams throughout Cork city and county.

The club would like to thank the AUL for giving it the platform to bring junior soccer to Macroom. The game has massive engagement and interest in the town, and this is something to be very proud of.

Over the years the club has always received full support from the various Cork AUL league officials and committees, and this is very much appreciated. It wishes the AUL every success for the future and thanks them sincerely for the positive impact on football in Cork since their formation in 1947.

The MSL roots go back as far as 1922.

A former Irish international named Harry Buckle had settled in Cork, working for Ford Motor Company. He was involved in the formation of the South Munster league.

At the same time, the North Munster league featuring clubs from Tipperary and Limerick was in operation. It wasn’t long before both leagues amalgamated to form the Munster Senior League.

The league is affiliated to the Munster FA, FAI, UEFA and FIFA, and operates under their rules. At many times over the decades, teams from throughout Munster were members, but today the league is made up solely of clubs from Cork.

The big draw for Macroom FC is the possibility of reaching senior football as the top two divisions of the MSL provide this.

With the club in a very strong position with playing numbers, it hopes this move will safeguard and improve the standards of its adult teams. The opportunity to play senior football will generate much appeal and interest for current and future players.

The club also hopes the move to a league with senior football will further enhance the already positive view of Macroom FC in the area.

Another factor in the decision is that facilities and pitches throughout the MSL are fantastic, and this is something the club is looking forward to witnessing up close.

The MSL is made up of seven divisions. The top three cater for senior and intermediate football, while there are three divisions exclusively for junior football. Outside of this, the MSL also operates the Floodlit league. This is an over-35s league played on all-weather surfaces, with shortened game times, and is a great way of keeping older players engaged with their clubs as well as encouraging new ones to get involved.

Regarding the placement of our teams, Macroom A team will enter the Senior Second Division while the B side will enter the Junior Division Two. The club’s joining of the MSL will have no impact on schoolgirls’, schoolboys’ and youths’ teams as these will remain within their current leagues.

When applying for membership of the MSL, certain strict criteria must be met.

These include having club dressing rooms and showering facilities of a high standard. Another important factor is a requirement to have a strong schoolboys club to guarantee long-term viability.

Thanks to the hard work of hundreds of people over the years and currently, the club had no difficulty meeting any of these criteria. Macroom FC said it is indebted to those people who volunteered in the past and do so presently – the result is now a tremendous, strong club with great facilities and ambition to match.

The MSL season 2020/21 will kick off on the weekend of August 14 to 16. The club looks forward to welcoming our many new opponents to Murrayfield and Macroom FC as always, supporters are encouraged to come out and support, provided it is deemed safe to do so.

Macroom Fc Lotto:

The Macroom FC weekly club lotto is expected to return on July 27 following suspension due to COVID-19. As local outlets continue to re-open, the club feels this is an appropriate and safe time to get back another important club activity.

The lotto is a vital source of income for Macroom FC, and the club appreciates the constant support from the local community.

Macroom FC has 23 teams from under-seven to adults, catering for boys and girls, with large numbers of volunteers doing great work. Playing membership numbers alone have risen to over 500.

This is a huge undertaking from a volunteer club, and Macroom FC take great pride and satisfaction that so many people trust them to deliver.

During the COVID-19 shutdown, Macroom FC introduced the ‘Like and Share’ lotto through its Facebook page. This free lotto has seen huge interest, and the club is delighted with this.

To continue your engagement with the club and supporting its weekly lotto draw, click on the lotto link on the Macroom FC Facebook page.

You can also gain access through the club website, www. macroomfc.ie; by logging on to the clubforce app; or by buying a paper ticket in participating outlets all over Macroom.

The club extends its thanks in advance for all the support it has received as it continues to promote and deliver football for the entire community.