Irish International and Wexford Youths star Rianna Jarrett was at her old school St. John of Gods NS in the Faythe to launch the Aviva Soccer Sisters Halloween Camps.  The camps will take place in four locations across Wexford during the Halloween break. 

The first Halloween Camps will take place on the 28^th and 29^th October at both Wexford Youths’ Ferrycarrig Park and New Ross Celtic.  The next camp takes place on the 30^th and 31^st October at Gorey Celtic with the final camp on the 31^st October and 1^st November at Corach Ramblers.  

Rianna Jarrett, said; “It’s great to be able to come back to my old school to launch the Aviva Soccer Sisters Halloween Camps in Wexford.  These camps are so exciting for all the girls involved, they get to have fun and make new friends while also learning new skills and importantly getting involved in sport at a young age, which is huge.  Hopefully we will see some of these girls pulling on the green of Ireland in the coming years as there is such a great tradition of Women’s football in the county.”    

Run by the FAI, the Aviva Soccer Sisters programme gives girls between the ages of 7-12 years old the opportunity to play football in a fun environment with others within their own age group and ability.

The programme, now in its eighth year, has been one of the driving forces behind the increase in participation of grassroots soccer nationwide for girls since 2006. Girls playing the game nationwide have almost doubled from 12,500 to 23,000 in that time.

The camps take place in four locations across Wexford at the Halloween break. 

October 28^th & 29^th – Wexford Youths – 10:30am to 3:00pm

October 28^th & 29^th – New Ross Celtic – 10:30am to 3:00pm

October 30^th & 31^st – Gorey Celtic – 10:30am to 3:00pm

October 31^st & November 1^st – Corach Ramblers – 10:30am to 3:00pm

To make a booking, please go to www.fai.ie/soccersisters or email soccersisters@fai.ie or phone Emma on 01 8999559.

 

• Wexford Youths, Ferrycarrig Park - Oct 28th & 29th - 10:30am - 3pm
• Wexford - New Ross Celtic - Oct 28th & 29th - 10:30am - 3pm
• Wexford - Gory Celtic - Oct 30th & 31st - 10:30am - 3pm
• Wexford - Corach Ramblers, Carrig on Bannow - Oct 31st & Nov 1st - 10:30am - 3pm
• Limerick - Askeaston FC - Oct 29th & 30th - 11:00am - 3pm
• Galway - Mervue FC - Oct 31st & Nov 1st - 09:30 - 1.:30pm

To make a booking, please go to www.fai.ie/soccersisters or email soccersisters@fai.ie or phone Emma on 01 8999559.

What it costs?

All camps €20 per child

What you get?

A unique Soccer Sisters Jersey, fun-filled coaching sessions.

What to bring?

• Your own drink / snack
• Tracksuit / shorts along with shin guards & suitable footwear
• Name tag on your bag
• Any medication you may require

FAI JUNIOR CUP DRAW 2013-2014

Dublin Saturday

Round 1

Rathmichael FC v Postal Utd.

Round 2

St. Mary’s Crumlin v Clontarf Ath    /    Newlands Celtic v VEC FC

Beggsboro FC v Leixlip Town    /    Maynooth Town v Laytown Utd

Shielton FC v Chapelizod FC    /    Phoenix FC v Granada FC

Greenfield Park Boys v AFC Justice    /    Broombridge Utd v Sandyford Utd

Kilnamanagh FC v Newtown Rgs    /    Crumlin Utd v Lazio FC

Rathmichael or Postal v Firhouse Clover FC    /    Tolka Rovers v Wayside Celtic

Rush Ath v Coolock Village FC    /    Brayzil FC v Superfriends FC

Greystones Utd v Tullamore Town FC    /    Moyle Park Peamount v Portmarnock FC

Ringsend Rovers v Raheen Celtic    /    Siemens FC v Ballybough Celtic

Liffey Wanderers v Columbas Rovers    /    Booterstown FC v Colepark FC

Glasion FC v Castleknock Celtic    /    Broadford Rovers v TEK Utd.

Malahide Utd v Kingswood FC    /    Finglas Celtic v Booth Road Celtic

East Wall Bessborough v St. Mochtas FC    /    Valeview Shankill FC v Terenure FC

St. Canices Utd v Park Celtic    /    Clontarf FC v Killinarden Ath

EID FC v Arthur Griffin Park FC    /    Jobstown Celtic v Stedfast FC

St. Kevins Boys v WTFA FC    /    Celbridge Town v Leixlip Utd.

Dublin Sunday/Meath

Round 1

Sandyhill Celtic v Muirhevna Mor FC

Round 2

Seaview Celtic v Greenhills/Greenpark FC    /    Ballymun Utd v Carndonagh FC

Mellowes BDS v Sheriff YC    /    Quarryvale FC v Torro Utd

Mountview Utd v Cavan Town    /    Oatfield/Shancastle v St. John Bosco

Ashbourne Utd v Rivervalley Rgs    /    Newtown Celtic v Dublin Celtic

Kilbarrack Utd v Lakelands FC    /    Trinity Donaghmeade v Athy Town

St. Pats Phoenix v Grange Utd    /    Sacred Heart v St. Brendans FC

Fairview FC v Portlaoise FC    /    Woodlawn Sportslink v East Wall Rovers

Stamullen FC v Tolka Harps FC    /    Kilmore Celtic v Bridge Utd

Alpine/Oldchurch v Jobstown Celtic    /    Bellurgan Utd v Mid Sutton Schalke FC

Manortown 69 FC v AZ Alpine    /    Sheridan FC v Rock Celtic

O’ Devaney Dunard v St. Kevins Boys    /    Park Celtic v Ballyoulster FC

Duleek FC v Hardwicke FC    /    Dingle Utd v Beechill Utd

Corduff FC v DCU FC    /    Trim Celtic v Leixlip Utd

Shielton FC v FC Blanch    /    Finglas Celtic v Huntstown FC

St. Pauls Artane v Yellowstone Celtic    /    OMP Utd v Navan Cosmos FC

Real Transilvania v Larkview Boys    /    Blessington FC v Collinstown FC

Donnycarney FC v Ayrefield Utd    /    Baldoyle Utd v Brookfield Celtic

Valley Park Utd v Castleknock Celtic    /    Lorcan Celtic v Sandyhill Shangan FC or Muirheavna Mor

Kildare/Combined Counties/Kilkenny/Wexford/Wicklow/Carlow

Round 1

Melville Utd v Redwood Naas    /    Tullaroon FC v Roswnallis FC

Newpark FC v Crettyard Utd    /    Wexford Bohs v Lions FC

Woodstock Celts v Bridge Utd    /    Deen Celtic v North End Utd.

Round 2

Courtown Hibs v St. Cormacs FC    /    St. Peters FC v Stoneyford FC

Edenderry Town v St. Patricks Boys    /    Arlington FC v Killeigh Ramblers FC

Callan FC v Deen Celtic or North End Utd    /    Tullaroon or Rosenallis v Birr Town

Melville or Redwood v Arklow Town    /    New Oak Boys v Bagnalstown FC

Parkville Utd v Mountmellick Utd    /    Curracloe Utd v Duncannon FC

Enniscorthy Utd v Thomastown FC    /    Hanover Harps v Castle Villa FC

Fort Rangers v Clara Town FC    /    CK Utd v Forth Celtic

Bridgewood Celtic v Mullingar Town    /    Freebooters FC v Red Bank Utd

Kilcullen FC v Woodstock Cel or Bridge Utd    /    Monksland Utd v Evergreen FC

Newbridge Colts v Moyne Rgs    /    Wexford B or Lions v Newpark or Crettyard Utd

Freshford Town v Tombrack Utd    /    Willow Park FC v Brookville FC

Gorey Rgs v Killenagh Wnds    /    New Ross Celtic v Gorey Celtic

Limerick League

Round 1

Pike Rovers v Caherdavin Celtic    /    Ballynanty Rovers v Kennedy Park FC

Round 2

Cappamore Celtic v Murroe FC    /    Caledonians FC v Hill Celtic

Hospital Crusaders v Star Rovers    /    Shannon Town v Carew Park FC

Northside Legacy v Geraldines FC    /    Granville Rgs v Prospect Priory

Mungret Regional FC v Corbally Utd.    /    Hyde Rgs v Pike Rovers or Caherdavin Celtic

Shannon Hibs v Moyross Utd    /    Aisling Annacotty v Glenview Rvs

Fairview Rgs v Athlunkard Villa    /    Shelbourne FC v Janesboro FC

Bruff Utd v St. Patricks FC    /    Abbey Rovers v Southend Utd

Weston Villa FC v Caherconlish FC    /    Charleville FC v Ballynanty Rvs or Kennedy Park FC

Parkville FC v Kilmallock FC    /    Coonagh Utd v Newport Town

Regional Utd v Knockriney FC    /    Herbertstown FC v St. Pauls FC

Hollycross FC v Croom Utd    /    Castle Rvs v Wembley Rovers

Dromore Celtic v Summerhill Rovers    /    Meanus FC v Lisnagry FC

Tipperary/West Waterford East Cork

Round 1

Kilsheelan Utd v Clonmel Celtic    /    Castlebridge Celtic v Arra Rovers

Round 2

Nenah FC v Peake Villa FC    /    Rearcross FC v Castlebridge Celtic or Arra Rovers

Moyglass Utd v Clonmore Utd    /    Old Bridge FC v Redmondstown FC

St. Michaels FC v Cloughjordon FC    /    B. T. Harps v Clonmel Town

Kilhanahan Utd v Clodigh Rgs    /    St. Kevins FC v Pinewood Rgs

Wilderness Rovers v Clerihan FC    /    Vee Rvs v Bansha Celtic

Killenaule Rvs v Cashel Town FC    /    Lough Derg FC v Moneygal FC

Portumna Town v Galbally FC    /    Clashmore Rbls v Roscrea Utd

Burncourt Celtic v Cullen Lattin FC    /    Nenagh Celtic v Lismore FC

Ballymackey FC v Kilworth Celtic    /    Kilsheelan or Clonmel C v St. Nicholas FC

Two Mile Borris Kevins v Railway Ath    /    Thurles Town v Rosegreen Rgs

Valley Rgs v Ballyneal FC    /    Tipperary Town v Glengoole Utd

Borroway Rovers v Streamstown Celtic    /    Borrisokeane FC v Cahir Park FC

Waterford

Round 1

Portlaw Utd v Bohemians FC    /    Piltown FC v Carrick Utd

Dungarvan Utd v Kilmacow FC    /    Tramore Rgs v Hibernians FC

Waterford Crystal v Johnville FC

Round 2

St Otterans FC v St. Josephs FC    /    Tramore R or Hiberniansv Tramore FC

Dungarvan or Kilmacow v Southend Utd    /    St. Saviours FC v Piltown or Carrick Utd

Abbeyside FC v Villa FC    /    St. Pauls FC v Ferrybank FC

De La Salle FC v Portlaw FC or Bohemians FC

Crusaders FC v Waterford Cry or Johnville FC

Galway

Round 1

Corrib Celtic v Maree-Oranmore FC    /    Loughrea FC v Salthill Devon FC

Galway Hibs v Colemanstown Utd    /    Beara-Furbeach v Craughwell Utd

Round 2

Renmore FC v Loughrea FC or Salthill Devon FC

Mervue Utd v Colga FC    /    Cregmore FC v Dynamoe Blues

Kiltullagh FC v West Coast Utd

Tuam Celtic v Beara-Furbeach FC or Craughwell Utd

Knocknacarra FC v NUI Galway    /    Athenry FC v Oughterard FC

Galway Bohs v St. Bernards FC    /    Corrib Rgs v Medtronic FC

Corrib C or Marree O v OLBC FC    /    St. Patricks FC v East Utd

Galway H or Colemanst v West Utd.

Cork AUL/Cork Business League/Munster Senior League/West Cork

Round 1

Greenmount Rgs v Douglas Hall Ath B    /    Dillons Cross FC v Buttevant FC

Blackstone Rvs v Glenvale FC    /    Blarney St Ath v Carrigaline Utd

Kanturk FC v Bohemians FC    /    St. Marys FC v Grattan Utd

Park Utd v Pearse Celtic A

Round 2

St. Marys or Grattan U v College Corths B    /    Watergrass Hill Utd v Mayfield Utd

Ballinhassig FC v Glenthorn Celtic    /    Carrigtwohill Utd v Park Utd or Pearse Cel

Castlelack FC v Springfield FC    /    Castleview FC v Blackstone or Glenvale

Glen Cel B v College Corths    /    Marlboro Trust FC v Greenwood FC

Douglas Hall Ath A v Wilton Utd    /    Richmond A v Clonakilty FC

Mallow Utd v Fox & Hound FC    /    Corkbeg FC v Inishvilla FC

Coachford FC v Everton Utd     /     Planet Blackpool FC v Waterloo AFC

Bweeng Cel v Ringmahon Rgs    /    Leeview Ath v Youghal Utd

Pearse Cel B v Rockmount FC    /    Cork Eagles FC v Dunbar Celtic

Everton FC v Douglas Hall FC (AUL)    /    Fermoy FC v Kilreen Celtic

Greenmount R or Douglas Hall B v Macroom FC

Glen Cel A v Richmond B FC    /    Dillon Cross or Buttevant v Temple Utd

Middleton FC v Killumney Utd    /    Cathedral Celtic v UCC Utd

Kanturk or Bohemians v Blarney St Ath    /    Glasheen FC v Fairview FC

Cobh Wanderers v Waterloo B FC

Kerry/Clare/Desmond

Round One

Sporting Ennistymon v Ballysteen FC    /    Listowel Celtic v Spa Road Celtic

Shannon Olympic v Old Mill FC    /    Rineanna Rvs v Moher Celtic

Tralee Dynamoes v Tulla Utd    /    Ennis Town FC v Lifford AFC

Fenit Samphires v Rockhill Rovers    /    Kilkishen Celtic v Newmarket Celtic

Connolly Celtic v Bridge Utd    /    Broadford Utd v Rathkeale FC

CarriG Celtic v Shannonside FC    /    Mastergeena FC v Killarney Ath

Athea Utd v Avenue Utd    /    Glin Rovers v Ballingarry FC

Classic FC v Newcastle West FC    /    Dingle Bay Rovers v St Brendans Park FC

Ruan Utd v Abbeyfeale Utd    /    Castle Island FC v Mitchels Avenue FC

Round 2

Bridge Celtic (Bye)

Killarney Celtic (Bye)

Roscommon/Sligo Leitrim/Mayo

Round One

Fahy Rovers v Hollister Utd    /    Castlerea Celtic v Dysart FC

Newport Town v Glenheist Rovers    /    Brazukas FC v Ballyhaunis FC

Moore Utd v Straide & Foxford FC    /    Ballinrobe Town v Ballaghdereen FC

Crossmolina FC v Charlestown Ath    /    Aughanagh Celtic v Ballinasloe Town

Ballymoe FC v Achill Rovers    /    Roscommon FC v MD Town

Clew Bay Utd v Conn Rgs    /    Carton Utd v Kiltimagh/Knock Utd

Mulranny Utd v Cloonfad FC    /    Strand Celtic v Ballyglass FC

Claremorris FC v Kilmore FC    /    Real Tubber FC v Manulla FC

Bangor Hibs v Moy Villa FC    /    Boyle Celtic v Partry Ath

St. Johns Ath v Snugboro FC    /    Castlebar Celtic v Ballyheane FC

Glen Celtic v Swinford FC    /     Strokestown Utd v Ballyvarry Blue Bombers

Iorras Aonaithe v Ballina Town    /    Shiven Rovers v Killala FC

Westport Utd v Urlaur FC    /    City Utd v Skyvalley Rovers

Round 2

Kilkerrin Utd & Moylough 79 (Bye)

Ballisodare Utd (Bye)

Donegal/Inishowen/Cavan/Monaghan

Round 1

Redcastle Utd v QPS FC    /    Erne Wanderers v Cockhill Celtic Youths

Fintown Harps v Ballybofey FC    /    Glenea Utd v Illies Celtic

Raphoe Town v Ramelton Mariners    /    Curragh Ath v Bonagee FC

Gweedore Utd v Glenree Utd    /    Castlefin Celtic v Kilmacreenan Celtic

FC Suyturys v Glencam Celtic    /    Cavan Celtic v Killylough FC

Deele Harps v Clones Town    /    Gweedore Celtic v Kerrykeel 71 Club

Tullyvinney Rovers v Buncranna Harps    /    Drumoghill FC v Keadue Rovers

Lagan Harps v Cappry Rovers    /    Ganley Celtic v Aileach FC

Milford Utd v Cootehill Harps    /    Liffird Celtic v Cranford FC

Whitestrand FC v Orchard FC

Round 2

Moville Celtic (Bye)

 

Esker Celtic were named the Aviva Club of the Year last weekend at the FAI Festival of Football and AGM in Wicklow. The Lucan based club received the accolade after an extremely competitive day long assessment along with the seven other monthly winners from across the country, and with it secured a cheque for €5,000.

The club, which was formed in 1990 following the exploits of the Irish football team at the Italia ’90 World Cup, has 40 teams and over 600 members and is also the club where Anthony Stokes began his football career.

Esker was named as the Aviva Club of the Month for March this year, gaining them a prize of €1,500, and also a chance to compete for the yearly prize against Gweedore Celtic (Donegal), Athy Town AFC (Kildare), Parkville United (Carlow), Bearna na Forbacha (Galway), Mungret Regional FC (Limerick), Leixlip United (Kildare) and Shankhill FC (Dublin) at the weekend.

The Judging Panel for the award, which was headed up by Donal Conway, Chairman of the FAI Underage Committee, and included representatives from FAI Club Development, Dublin City Council, the Irish Daily Star, Carlton Hotel Blanchardstown and Aviva, selected the winner based on six different criteria including administration, coaching, participation numbers, performance and contribution to the community.

Paul Cleary, Chairman of Esker Celtic, said; “So many people put in so much work into this club and it’s them who deserve this award. I was a bag of nerves but it’s incredible to have won. It has already given the club a massive boost as we go into the new season and we plan to put on a day now at the club to present the award to the people who deserve it. It’s fantastic, it really is. We’re honoured and very proud to be the Aviva Club of the Year.”

Paul Grimes, Director, Aviva Ireland, said; “The Aviva Club of the Year is an initiative that supports the very core of Irish football. Each of the clubs who has won a Club of the Month award this season has done fantastic work in their community but Esker Celtic were the stand out club this year for their work across all areas of the club. I hope that all the finalists will take this as a sign to keep working hard to improve their clubs further and continue to provide something hugely valuable to their communities. Hopefully we will see Esker Celtic and the rest of these great finalists fostering some of the stars of the future who will make it on to the Aviva Stadium stage.”

More information about the Aviva Club of the Year and details on how to submit an entry is available of http://www.fai.ie/domestic-a-grassroots/club-of-the-month.html or to see the videos from previous winners of the Aviva Club of the Month, log on to Aviva YouTube Channel - http://ow.ly/juNrw

Aviva Club of the Year Winners

2012 / 2013 – Esker Celtic (Dublin)

2011 / 2012 – Midleton FC (Cork)

2010 / 2011 – Tramore AFC (Waterford)

2009 / 2010 – Kingscourt Harps (Cavan)

2008 / 2009 – Dunboyne AFC (Meath)

2007 / 2008 – St. Joseph’s Boys AFC (Dublin)

2006 / 2007 – Manulla FC (Mayo)

2005 / 2006 – Mullingar Athletic FC (Westmeath)

The captains of the eight remaining teams in the FAI Junior Cup were in attendance at the Aviva Stadium today along with FAI Special Guest Kenny Cunningham, ahead of the draw for the Quarter Finals this evening live on RTE’s Monday Night Soccer Show.

The FAI Junior Cup Final, which is jointly sponsored by Aviva and Umbro, will take place in the Aviva Stadium for the first time, ahead of Ireland’s international friendly with Georgia on the 2^nd of June, with a kick off of 1:30pm.

The eight remaining teams; Pike Rovers (Limerick), Carew Park (Limerick), Pearse Celtic (Cork), Ballinasloe Town FC (Roscommon), Kilbarrack United (Dublin), Ballymun United (Dublin), St. Kevin’s Boys (Dublin) and current holders, Sherriff YC (Dublin), were all at the Aviva Stadium to get an idea what may await them on Sunday 2^ndJune.

Kenny Cunningham, FAI Junior Cup Ambassador, said; “The FAI Junior Cup is one of the great cup competitions in Ireland and it’s fitting that the players now have the opportunity to compete to play in the Aviva Stadium for this year’s final.  I know what it’s like to play in front of an Irish home crowd and the noise and atmosphere they bring to International games so I hope the Irish fans will embrace the final too on the 2^nd June and make it a great occasion for two of these clubs.”

The FAI Junior Cup, which is one of the largest amateur cup competitions in Europe, is in its 95^th year and it began last September with 554 teams competing to reach the Aviva Stadium in June.

Ireland Women's internationals Rihanna Jarrett, Lauren Dwyer and Megan Campbell were on hand to kick off this year's "Aviva Soccer Sisters" in Aviva Stadium, Dublin.

The Aviva Soccer Sisters programme gives girls between the ages of 7-12 years old the opportunity to play football in a fun environment with others within their own age group and ability.

The programme, now in its eighth year, has been one of the driving forces behind the increase in participation of grassroots soccer nationwide for girls since 2006. Girls playing the game nationwide have almost doubled from 12,500to 23,000 in that time.

The highlight of the 2013 programme will be the Aviva Soccer Sisters Easter camps, taking place in over 60 locations around the country and providing over 2,000 girls an opportunity to get involved in football. All of the camps will be overseen by FAI accredited coaches. A full county by county camp breakdown is available on www.fai.ie/soccersisters

As girls' soccer continues to grow each year, more and more clubs have developed new teams as a result of being involved in the Aviva Soccer Sisters programme. Participants learn new skills and the fundamental rules of the game in a fun and healthy environment that encourages new friendships and the development of teamwork skills.

Sue Ronan, Senior Women's International Manager said: "The Soccer Sisters programme has undoubtedly help see a successful increase in participation within the schoolgirl's game nationwide . Over 14,000 girls have come through the programme since the programme began in 2006. It's proven to be a great way to introduce girls to the game, and many have continued on to remain in the game by joining their local club."

Lauren Dwyer, former Soccer Sister and recent winner of the FAI U17 Women's Player of the Year said: "I used to really look forward to the soccer sisters camps during my Easter holidays from school. Growing up, boy's football used to be the focus of schools and clubs, but the camps really gave us girls the opportunity to develop our skills, make friends, and have a lot of fun too."

Mark Russell, Aviva Sponsorship Manager said: "The FAI Aviva Soccer Sisters is a great sponsorship for Aviva to be involved with. Sporting activities are crucial to children and young adult's development and is at the heart of a healthy active lifestyle. Soccer Sisters teaches the girls all about teamwork and leadership and it motivates all involved to train to the best of their ability, whatever their ability. These camps are important to over 14,000 girls nationwide which is why they are important to us; they have so much fun and leave our camps with new skills, greater confidence and above all new friends."

The Soccer Sisters also form part of Aviva's programme with its charity of choice, Focus Ireland. Focus Ireland branding will appear on the free jersey each participant receives.

Focus Ireland representative Helen Connolly said: "Through this initiative, Aviva is promoting awareness of our efforts to tackle homelessness in Ireland. With over 5,000 people homeless in Ireland at any one time, we are delighted to be Aviva's Charity Partner."

Camps range between €10-€20 depending on the venue. To register or for further details please visit www.fai.ie/soccersisters, or for more information email soccersisters@fai.ie or phone 01 8999559.

The Aviva Club of the Year Awards has fast become the benchmark on how clubs are performing up and down the country. The prestigious awards are run from October through to May with a different club selected every month as the Aviva Club of the Month, receiving €1,500 to assist in their overall development.  Each of the monthly winners then go forward as finalists to the Club of the Year which is chosen at the FAI Festival of Football and AGM. The clubs will then have a final opportunity to submit presentations about their clubs to the Judging Panel before the winner of the Club of the Year is announced and a cheque of €5,000 presented.

The Judging Panel for the award, which is headed up by Donal Conway, Chairman of the FAI Underage Committee, and includes representatives from FAI Club Development, Dublin City Council and Aviva, select the winners based on six different criteria including administration, coaching, participation numbers, performance and contribution to the community.

Paul Grimes, Director, Aviva Ireland, said; “The Aviva Club of the Year is an initiative that supports the very core of Irish ootball.  Many of the players that take to the pitch in the Aviva Stadium tomorrow night / tonight have played for junior clubs across the country and realise how important it is to support the development of these clubs as this is where great football talent is born and nurtured.  Through the Club of the Month and the overall Club of the Year awards we hope to be able support more and more clubs at a grassroots level who we hope will get to see their players on the Aviva Stadium pitch in years to come.”

FAI CEO John Delaney said: “Since its inception eight years ago, it has been clear that the importance of the Aviva Club of the Year award comes from the fact that it reaches out to the football family all across Ireland. It provides our clubs with an incentive to improve and a reward for the efforts of many fantastic volunteers to make their clubs better. Each winner of the Aviva Club of the Year award has been justly proud of a fabulous achievement and the FAI places great value on the Aviva Club of the Year award.”

Mick Kirby of Midleton FC, the winners of the 2011 / 2012 Aviva Club of the Year said; “The Aviva Club of the Year Award has been an unbelievable boost to the club and to the area in general.  All clubs around the country know how hard it is to generate money in these uncertain financial times and to receive the award from Aviva has meant we are able to improve all areas of the clubs from our youngest age group right up to the seniors and improve facilities across the board.  This has now helped give the community a club they can be even more proud of and a real attraction to children who want to get involved in sport for the first time.”

More information about the Aviva Club of the Month awards and details on how to submit an entry are available of www.FAI.ie and www.Aviva.ie/localsports

Midleton FC have been crowned winners of the prestigious “Aviva Club of the Year” at an awards dinner as part of the FAI Festival of Football and Annual General Meeting held in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal. 

Running throughout the year, the AVIVA Club of the Month Awards in conjunction with the Irish Daily Star and the Carlton Hotels, recognise clubs' achievements and displays, on and off the field of play. The awards, which are now in their fifth year, distinguish some of the finest football clubs in the country through a series of monthly prizes culminating in the AVIVA Club of the Year Award. 

Each of the eight monthly winners – Crosshaven FC, Birr FC, Ardee Celtic FC, Midleton FC, Kilbarrack United FC, Enniskerry FC, Nenagh AFC & Moville Celtic were in attendance in Letterkenny, having a final opportunity to impress the judges with presentations about their clubs. On the night, Midleton FC were presented with the Plaque and a cheque for €5,000 by Paddy McCaul – FAI President, John Delaney – FAI CEO and Mark Russell – Aviva Sponsorship Manager. 

Speaking on behalf of Midleton FC, chairman Mick Kirby Said “It took us by total surprise, and have given us a huge lift in terms of the clubs outlook. This award has helped us focus on so many aspects of our club and the many things we have and need to do. A huge amount of effort and hard work has gone into this and we have set ourselves some high standards. We are very proud and want to thank all involved”

Ashbourne RFC was the venue for another Aviva Rugby Festival which proved a huge success despite the weather conditions on the day. Stephen Gregory, Creggs RFC minis coach, said: "The organisation and work the IRFU and Aviva have put into this has been first class. This is my fourth year with the mini rugby and it's great to see the youngsters growing, getting stronger and to see their rugby skills improve."

 

Tramore AFC club fought off stiff opposition from seven other monthly winners to take home the Aviva/FAI Club of the Year title on Friday night.It was a proud evening for the strong delegation of Tramore in attendance, especially the two longest serving members John Power (Chairman) and David Farrell (groundsman).

The judging panel consisted of Irish Daily Star's Ger Keville, Paul Martyn of the FAI, former FAI President and now honorary life member David Blood and Aviva representative Mark Russell.