FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF IRELAND/ SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

11/02/2014

Archived item. This item is published here for historical reasons. The information below may be out of date.

Press Release

FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF IRELAND/ SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

FAI partnership with Tallaght Stadium announced

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

The Football Association of Ireland today (Tuesday) announced a new partnership with Tallaght Stadium for its Under 21 and Senior Women’s teams.

Mayor Dermot Looney,County Manager Danny McLoughlin, Chair of Strategic Policy Committee for Sports, Recreation, Community and Parks Cllr.  Cathal King, along with FAI CEO John Delaney were on hand today in the Square, Tallaght to announce that ten international fixtures are to be played at Tallaght Stadium in 2014.

U21 Manager Noel King and Women’s Senior Team Manager Sue Ronan lead the delegation in announcing a joint partnership between Tallaght Stadium, the FAI and the Square to help promote the games and drum up local support.

The fixtures comprise of eight competitive fixtures, including the senior women’s team, when they host Germany, who are currently ranked number one in the FIFA world rankings in April.

Speaking at the launch today, Mayor Dermot Looney said,‘This announcement is great news for Tallaght and great news for football. As someone involved in schools football locally, I know how important it is for girls to have sporting role models to inspire and encourage them. With international football on their doorstep, I have no doubt that a new generation of women footballers will be inspired by the links which have now been established. This announcement, too, is another indicator of the quality of the facilities on offer at Tallaght Stadium. It gives recognition to the hard work and professionalism of Council staff and their partners in Shamrock Rovers in maintaining the stadium and pitcht’

County Manager Danny McLoughlin expressed his delight at the announcement stating, ‘We’ve had several internationals at Tallaght Stadium to date. However, with a run of ten games like this we really get the opportunity to show how football has quickly become part of the culture here in Tallaght. The idea behind the Square partnership is to help create awareness of these fixtures and to let people know in advance when these gameswill take place so that they can turn out and support their country.’

FAI CEO John Delaney thanked all in South Dublin County Council saying, ‘We are delighted with the hospitality we received from Tallaght Stadium and all in South Dublin County Council last year during our fixtures played at the stadium. It’s fantastic to formalise this relationship in 2014, and it’s great to find a home for U21 and senior Women’s football as we embark upon an important year. I’d like to thank the square for coming on board also, as awareness is paramount for us in promoting these games in order for people to get behind our teams.’

The first of the scheduled fixtures see’s Noel Kings U21 side take on Montenegro on the 5th of March.  The full list is below:

ENDS

Images

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  John Delaney FAI CEO, Mayor Dermot Looney SDCC,and County Manager Daniel McLoughlin
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  U21 Manager Noel King, Cllr Cathal King SDCC,Jack Martin Square Management, Mayor Dermot Looney,Sue Ronan and County Manager Daniel McLoughlin
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  Women's Senior Team Manager Sue Ronan