Football youngsters in Oughterard can look forward to an opportunity to meet their football heroes and Irish manager Giovanni Trapatonni this year.
FAI chief executive John Delaney has invited 50 Ougherard AFC players to an international match this year, with four children invited to meet Trapatonni and the Irish squad.
The invitation was issued as the Oughterard club celebrated the official launch of its new sporting development in the village, and on Thursday Delaney was on hand to turn the first sod on the sports pitches at New Village, overlooking Lough Corrib.
Delaney commended Oughterard AFC’s story as one of perseverance, vision, and determination to succeed both on and off the pitch.
“Although the club is just over 10-years-old, it has already demonstrated how much can be achieved when with the support of the community and when those in charge channel the energy and goodwill of the community to make the most effective use of resources available to them.”
Ensuring the growth of soccer throughout the country was the FAI’s primary goal, he said, especially among the new football frontiers in County Galway.
OAFC purchased the new site on the Clann High Road for its new development which is expected to cost €1.5 million. A Pitchmaker Draw is being held on St Patrick’s Day, with a host of prizes including a sporty Mazda 2 car, boat and trailer, €2,000 holiday voucher, €1,000 Marks & Spencer voucher, €500 laptop, and many more prizes. Tickets for the draw are priced at €50 and are available through the club by emailing [email protected] or 085-1000 074.
