Civic Reception for FAI CEO John Delaney
MAYOR of Sligo Municipal District Councillor Hubert Keaney hosted a reception at Sligo County Hall on Tuesday evening for FAI Chief Executive John Delaney. Guests of honour at the reception were the Sligo Leitrim soccer team that won the Oscar Traynor Cup in 1985. Representatives of all the local soccer community were in attendance, including Sligo Rovers, Sligo-Leitrim & District League, Sligo Leitrim Youths, Connacht FA and the local Referees Association.
A most enjoyable evening was had by all and the CEO John Delaney in his address pledged €100,000 to the upgrading of the Ray MacSharry Complex that following feasibility studies will see a state of the art Astro facility at Cranmore
Presentations were made to the Mayor, CEO John Delaney and his Fiancée Emma Kelvin from the Council and the Family Of Football that saw the Connacht FA Sligo Rovers FC Sligo Branch ISRS, Sligo Leitrim DSL Youth & Junior all present and associated with each presentation. It was indeed a unique and historical Sporting night and great credit to all.
In his address Mayor of Sligo Municipal District Councillor Hubert Keaney said: It is a rare, if not unique occasion, to have the full range of the local soccer community convened in one forum in the company of FAI Chief Executive John Delaney, to articulate a united and worthy ambition for the future of the game in this town, this county and this region, and also to convey their fond appreciation of legends from another era: The Sligo-Leitrim Oscar Traynor winning team of 1985.
“Historically we have had to overcome challenges at every level. Our remote location on Europe’s western boundary made it that bit more difficult to establish networks and develop links, but it also instilled a resolute frontier spirit that made any team from Sligo difficult opponents whether youth, junior or senior. I think what marks out the Sligo soccer family as something special is that sense of community; a sense of loyalty and belonging that is in the fabric of our teams throughout the various levels of the game.
“We reflect on the glory days of the Oscar Traynor team of the 1980s. Their achievements deserves to be recognised by the current generation of young footballers who are enthralled and inspired by their success. Soccer - or Association Football – was first introduced to Sligo when British soldiers were based at a barracks in the Northside of the town in the late 19th century,” Cllr Keaney said.
“The tradition of junior soccer lives proudly on in this, one of Sligo’s oldest communities, as it does in communities all over our county. Each of the associations gathered here understandably have their own immediate priorities and agendas, but there is a unifying element that infuses them all. The people convened here today are at the core of the soccer community, the people who give so generously of their time and energy for the betterment of the game at all levels. The true value of a forum such as this, is that the collective experience and expertise assembled here today across all facets of the game is an invaluable resource, and the formal and informal contacts developed can be hugely rewarding
“An area where Sligo has excelled in recent years is in the enhancement of its sporting infrastructure. The local Showgrounds has been transformed in recent years into one of the finest league venues in the country, and I think this achievement reflects great credit on successive management and development committees who have overseen these developments. “Similarly MacSharry Park beside us has been an outstanding facility maintained to a very high standard for many years and providing a focal point for the youth and senior teams. Sligo GAA and other local sporting organisations are also working to upgrade their playing and training facilities, and the Local Authority is playing its part in developing recreation and amenity spaces throughout the county,” Cllr Keaney added.
In his address on the night, Noel Kennedy, Secretary of the Sligo/Leitrim DSL thanked Hubert Keaney Mayor of Sligo and his fellow council members for affording the League such a massive honour.
“This for us is an historic day in more ways then one as we have the Family of Football in Connacht here tonight. “My good friends Gerry Tully Connacht Administrator Sligo Rovers Chairman Martin Heraghty Secretary Brendan Lacken and fellow Officers. Tomas Oates Vice Chairman of the SBISRS Secretary Owen Mc Loughlin Seamus Devaney and Ray Flynn, Sligo Leitrim Youths DSL Chairman John Healy.
“The presentations here tonight are collectively from the Family of Football and I thank each and everyone for their support.”
He said: “Returning to our Hosts Sligo County Council I think I speak for everyone when I compliment the Council and their staff on the great work they carry out here in Sligo. I have reason to be in town very early and the standard of cleanliness of our roads and streets is superb. But I must also congratulate the Parks Department for the brilliant work they are doing. From the Back Avenue to Cleveragh and indeed throughout the area they do fantastic work. The fact that so many of them support the game is an added bonus including our own Gino O’ Boyle who is still playing and managing Glenview Stars who won promotion this season. I also know that the Council will support in whatever way possible the upgrading of the Ray Mac Sharry grounds and I thank in particular Hubert Keaney and Kevin Colreavey for their guidance and support.
“The League is blessed with the level of support we receive and in particular from our Sponsors who are here tonight; Kevin & Catherine Mc Glynn Sligo Southern Hotel; Andrew Mullen Sligo Pallets; Joe & Martin Cleary Cleary Landscape & Pitch Maintenance; Mario Puchowski MD Glasshouse Hotel and Barry O’Flynn Sligo Credit Union. Without their support and generosity we would struggle greatly.”
Noel also thanked the Oscar Traynor winning team from 1985 who were among the special guests. He said: “I’m delighted to see here tonight the joy that this still brings. I think of the players who went on to League of Ireland fame those capped at International Junior Level and I think of Niall Harrison top coach for within the Football Association of Ireland and developing all our young players. Even more so to each and everyone of you for bringing the discipline and belief into your personal lives I can honestly say each of you are a credit not alone to the game your families and loved but indeed to the Town and County of Sligo & Leitrim.”
Noel also thanked FAI CEO John Delaney for his attendance on the historic night. He said: “John on behalf of the family of football and indeed to the wider audience it is a privilege and honour to welcome you here tonight. John’s career is well documented but just to give people a brief overview of his remarkable career to date.
“John has overseen the Development of the game from grassroots up we have have excellent coaching staff.
“The game is developing at a rapid pace with the small sided games excellent coaching Codes of practice Football for All that caters for those physically challenge and marginalized as well as the elite performers.
“The underage will see the Calendar year come into play in 2019 with FAI.net insuring all players are registered within the Association.
“Johns ability was recognized by UEFA when he was elected to the Executive Committee in April 2017.
“John was the 1st person since 2002 to represent our country what a remarkable achievement.
“Mayor of Sligo distinguished guests Ladies and Gentlemen the word Legend is a little overused in today’s media but when one considers what a young man from Waterford who played his football with his beloved St Michaels of Tipperary has done for the Football Association of Ireland its players at every level he is I’m sure you will agree is A True Legend,” Noel added.
FAI CEO JOHN DELANEY PLEDGED €100K TO THE UPGRADING OF THE RAY MACSHARRY PARK