Gleneely girls commended in Dáil Eireann by Minister of State for Sport McConalogue
'Like everyone here, I'm grateful to those who contributed over the years through volunteering their time to give me an opportunity in sport'
Donegal Minister of State Charlie McConalogue has used some of his speaking time during a debate on football in the Dáil to congratulate the Gleneely Colts under-16 girls’ team on qualifying for the SFAI Cup national final.
The Gleneely girls defeated Dublin's Granada FC in the U-16 SFAI National Cup Semi-Final earlier this month, and they now face Midleton, from Cork, in the final next month.
In his remarks at the end of a three-and-a-half-hour debate, the Inishowen Minister for Sport and Postal Policy also thanked those who had coached him during his time playing as an underage footballer with Culdaff Football Club.
“We’ve had a really good and positive debate here in the Dáil and I think certainly the spirit in which the contributions have been made stands in very stark contrast to many of the other debates that we have on the floor of the Dail.”
“I think it very much reflects the fact that sport and football in particular bring out the best in everyone and bring people together. We’ve also heard through many of the contributions from TDs across the house, the positive impact sport has had in their lives,” Minister McConalogue commented.
“One of the contributions that struck me most was that of Deputy Farrelly where he outlined the role he has played with others coaching a group of young people from the age of seven years of age through to when they grew up. He also spoke about the opportunity sport gives for children to grow and develop.”
“Like many others who contributed to the debate, that has been my experience as well as I grew up. Like everyone here, I'm also grateful to those who contributed over the years through volunteering their time to give me an opportunity in sport. I think back to my time at Culdaff National School and the work that Brian Harris would have done, giving of his time to train students at the school every week. I also think of the role played by Hugh Diver, who trained me when I played underage with Culdaff Football Club and who was another great example of volunteerism,” the Donegal Minister of State added.
Deputy McConalogue said, looking back, football brought together his local community and parish.
“While there might have been European Championships and World Cups, the most anticipated tournament every year was the parish cup, where each townland would put in teams, and it was the highlight of the local soccer season and the summer. My local townland of Cashel even managed to enter two teams – a Cashel A and a Cashel B team. I made the Cashel B team, which turned out to be the peak of my footballing career!”
“That seven-a-side tournament was played on a pitch with a slant on it in Gleneely and there were no dressing rooms at that stage. But there was great participation and great enjoyment. As an example of how we have seen football grow and develop since then, on Saturday April 11, at Glenview Park, which is now the home venue for Gleneely Colts FC and has a good level pitch, dressing rooms and a clubhouse, the Gleneely Colts girls’ under-16 team won their SFAI under-16 semi-final against Granada from Dublin 1-0.”
“This shows too how female participation in soccer has grown significantly and that participation is continuing to grow in an exciting way,” he said.
Minister of State McConalogue concluded: “We as public representatives and particularly those of us in government must make sure that our support for sport continues. While our sporting clubs are very much based on the commitment and dedication of volunteers, who make such an impact on those they train and support in their chosen sport in our communities, we must support their efforts through continued investment in developing facilities and equipment.”