This article is from page 29 of the 2008-05-27 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 29 JPG
GIOVANNI Trapattoni may be look- ing to west Clare for future interna- tional stars as the county’s newest soccer club goes from strength to strength.
West Clare United Soccer Club takes its players from Cooraclare, Cree, Doonbeg, Mullagh, Quilty, Milltown Malbay, Kilmihil, Inagh and has two players from Ennis.
The club is based in Mullagh vil- lage with the sports field in Mullagh as the home pitch. There are more than 100 children – boys and girls – involved with the club.
“We are delighted with the phenom- enal response we have received in
getting the club off the ground in an area which would by many have been viewed as a GAA stronghold,” said one of the organisers Tom Egan.
This year the club is training teams at Under 8’s, 10’s, 11’s and 13’s level.
“We have three teams entered into the Clare Schoolboy League, two at under 11 and one at Under 13. We have brought in experienced coach- es, one of whom is Derek Dolan who has previously managed the county’s Kennedy Cup team, along with local people from the community with an interest in soccer to assist in training the children,” said Mr Egan.
“The committee of the sports field in Mullagh have been wonderful in helping us organize training and
match days and maintained the pitch in great condition which has been re- marked upon by all who have played on it. Our sincere thanks go out to them for all their help,” he said.
Mr Egan also paid tribute to local businesses that helped in the initial stages with sponsorship, particularly John McInerney Construction who paid for new goalposts.
The club’s jerseys, bibs, balls, first aid kits and other training equipment were all funded as a result of gener- ous donations.
“We have established a link with Avondale United in Cork who trav- elled to Mullagh to provide us with our first game. It gathered a large crowd for what was an entertaining
match played in great spirit and en- joyed by all.”
“We are also working with League of Ireland club Athlone Town and will be bringing children to Athlone for some training and some chal- lenge games against local opposi- tion,’ added Mr Egan.
This Sunday night the busy young club will hold its only fundraising event.
The fundraising Race Night will be held in the Quilty Tavern on Sat- urday, May 31 beginning at 9.30pm Serna oy
Anybody interested in any further information about the club or who might like to help in the coaching can contact Tom Egan at 085 7455391.