FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF IRELAND CEO John Delaney officially opened Aileach FC’s new astroturf facility at the Lakeside this afternoon.
Delaney will also attend a dinner dance and presentation function in the Halfway House tonight for the club.
Aileach have been hailed as one of the most progressive clubs in Ireland after unveiling the latest phase of an impressive development, the first part of which had been opened in 2010.
The third youngest club in the Inishowen League, having been formed in 1993, Aileach have come a long way from ‘the field with lines on it’ on the Slab Road just 23 years ago.
[adrotate group=”80″]“It’s another step on the way to where we intend to end up,” Aileach FC Chairman Stephen O’Donnell told Donegal Sport Hub.
“It’s a proud day for the club and the committee, but also for the community too.
“It’s ten years since the vision went out there. We have come a long way. We’ve asked a lot of the community, but they have come up trumps every time.”
Aileach received a grant of €51,224 for the project, but have had to undertake a large amount of fundraising themselves.
[adrotate group=”46″]Delaney heaped praise on the club for their endeavours.
The FAI chief said: “It’s great to be back here at Aileach. It’s important to go to the grassroots clubs.
“They’ve got 180 kids playing here and 70 or 80 seniors. They have a tremendous facility here. It’s easy to come here and say ‘well done and thank you’.”
[adrotate group=”81″]The Inishowen League’s Chairman, Laurence McColgan, was also in attendance and hailed Aileach’s development.
The Muff native said: “It’s an excellent day for the league. Fair play to Aileach, they contribute a lot to the League. We appreciate that and we’re thankful for it.
“They have an excellent committee here. This is a colossal achievement.”
Listen to the full interviews below …
https://soundcloud.com/donegalsporthub-club-notes/official-opening-at-aileach-fc
Tags: