This article is from page 59 of the 2011-07-19 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 59 JPG
TRAP will be back. That was the message from John Delaney in Ennis on Thursday.
Speaking in Ennis the CEO of the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) said he was determined to ensure that Ireland manager Giovanni Trappattoni and his assistant Marco Tardelli visited the Cliffs of Moher.
The Italian duo who have guided the national team since 2008 had been due to lend their support to a campaign by the Cliffs of Moher to be named as one of the new seven wonders of the world.
However last Friday’s press conference at one of Ireland most popular tourism spots was re-scheduled for Ennistymon following strike action taken by some Cliffs workers. SIPTU members are in dispute with management at the Cliffs over pay and conditions.
At a civic reception held at the offices of Clare County Council, Delaney said Trap and Tardelli will return to the Cliffs, “It will be done”, he said, adding that it is “important that the Cliffs get this publicity”.
Reflecting on a week that saw FAI visits to over 20 clubs across the county, Delaney said it had been “magnificent week in a wonderful county”.
Delaney, whose wife and grandmother hail from Ennis, also recalled the social aspects of the club visits. He told the reception that the FAI delegation had been “marched” out of a pub in Tulla at 2.30am by the Tulla Pipe Band. He also described the visit to Kilmihil on Wednesday as one of the best since the FAI took its annual conference on the road in 2005.
FAI President Paddy McCaul praised the commitment of club coaches. He said, “This week in Clare has seen magnificent examples of volunteerism”.
Mayor of Clare, Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) said the FAI visit had served as an “inspiration to communities across the county”.
Addressing delegates at the official opening of the FAI conference on Saturday, Mayor of Ennis, Cllr Michael Guilfoyle (Ind) hailed the impact of the FAI’s visit.
He said, “The level of interest in the game at club level has been enhanced and the FAI’s commitment to the development and promotion of the game has been clearly demonstrated. The announcement of € 100,000 in grants by the FAI is very much appreciated and again underlines the commitment of the FAI to soccer in Clare”.
He added, “The extensive programme of visits to clubs all over the county over the last week was fantastic fun for each of the young players. The delegation from the FAI was warmly welcomed in every club and the presence of some of Ireland’s greatest former players can only serve to heighten enthusiasm for the game”.