A successful season for the Clare District Soccer League was applauded at the Annual General Meeting of the league on Monday evening.
As he reflected on the end of his first year as Chairperson, Oliver Fitzpatrick lauded a great year for the County which saw them claim the Oscar Traynor Trophy for the first time since 2004 and paid tribute to the squad and management of the victorious side.
“It’s been a great season for Clare soccer and it’s fair to say as a League we are up there with the best leagues in the country on and off the pitch. Winning the Oscar Traynor Trophy and bringing the All-Ireland title back to the county for only the second time won’t ever be forgotten by any of us” Fitzpatrick stated in his Chairpersons address.
News of an upcoming civic reception was welcomed by the CDSL Chairperson. He highlighted the progress of the Clare Youths team who reached the All-Ireland semi-final for only the second time since 1971 where they lost out to eventual winners Cork.
Several players from the CDSL were rewarded for their performances throughout the year with call-ups to provincial and national squads. “It was great to see Clare representation in provincial and Ireland squads during the season. Ethan McNevin and Stephen Ryan did the county proud in being the first Clare players to ever win an interprovincial youths title when they played with the victorious Munster side. Declan Farmer was the assistant manager on that team and he is also doing great work at U16 level and working with us to bring the best players into the Clare Youths. Stephen Kelly got capped for Ireland at Junior International level this season and Eoin Hayes played on the Munster Connacht side that defeated Leinster Ulster and will now represent Ireland in the regions cup in Italy”.
Oliver stated that the achievements of Newmarket Celtic in the past season should inspire all clubs in Clare. “They have shown that it is possible for our teams in Clare to mix it with the best teams in the country and beat them. It’s too long since the great Avenue teams were mixing it with the best and I would be confident of seeing more of our teams in the latter stages of these competitions on a regular basis from now on. We have the players, coaches and managers in our League that are as good as any other league in the country”.
Fitzpatrick thanked all clubs and the committee for their support in his first year in the position. He revealed the payment of the Sports Capital Grant was a much needed financial boost for the CDSL. Oliver congratulated Thomas Leahy on his appointment as Vice Chairperson of the Munster Football Association and thanked the local media for their coverage throughout the year.
There was a resounding vote of confidence in the current CDSL committee with all officers returned without competition.
Presidents: Michael Leahy, Brendan Daly, Padraig McCullough, Robert Clancy
Chairman: Oliver Fitzpatrick
Vice Chairman: Ronnie Pyne
Secretary: Michael Lydon
Treasurer: Frank Gormley
Fixtures Secretary:Donal Kirby
Registrar: Jason Ryan
FAI Junior Council Delegate: Jim Madden
Munster Delegate: Thomas Leahy
PRO: Jim Madden
Youth Liaison Officer / Child Protection Officer: Tommy Molloy
Committee Members: Donie Garrihy, Alan McCoy
Stay tuned to The Clare Herald across the week for more coverage from the CDSL AGM.