Aviva visit 'gave everyone a lift and some hope after what happened last month'

A Donegal football official has expressed his gratitude to the Football Association of Ireland for their kind gesture in making children from the Creeslough area the official mascots and welcoming people from two local football clubs at the Republic of Ireland’s international friendly against Norway.

In the wake of the tragedy where 10 people lost their lives at the service station in Creeslough last month, officials from the FAI decided to do something for the area and made the offer to Dunfanaghy Youths and Glenree United FC to be their guests at the next international.

So, early on Thursday afternoon, a representation from both clubs which totalled 70, made up of the 11 lucky mascots chosen from each club, other players, club officials, players and guardians made their way to the Aviva Stadium. 

“There was great excitement as you can imagine,” says Liam Langan, the manager of the Dunfanaghy Youths U-10s, who was joined by U-8 manager Andrew Hanlon, with David Ladley and Frances Caldwell looking after the Glenree group. “It was a great boost for the area.”

Stefan Kacsperski from Portnablagh, second right, with Glenree United club officials at the Aviva Stadium

The offer was driven by Stefan Kacsperski from Portnablagh, who is FAI Connect Project Manager at their Abbotstown headquarters, and played with both clubs when he lived at home. The Dunfanaghy representation left for Dublin from the Corner Garden in Creeslough, with the N56 still closed for almost six weeks since the tragedy on October 7. 

At approximately 5:30pm the Dunfanaghy and Glenree groups reached the Aviva Stadium, where they were welcomed by FAI officials led by Stefan. Having barely touched their feet down on the pavement in Ballsbridge, they bumped into Mark Farren and Chris Carr from nearby Milford United. 

The 'Meet the Mascots' page of the match programme which introduced players from Dunfanaghy Youths and Glenree United

They were given a backstage tour of the stadium, walking the pitch perimeter, taken through the tunnel to the dressing rooms, shown the media centre upstairs and given an insight into the matchday preparations. The mascots’ pen pics - with headshots and information on their dates of birth, place from birth, favourite clubs and favourite Ireland players - were featured in the official matchday programme. 

All set to go for the mascots at the Aviva Stadium

At one stage as they looked out onto the turf, they heard a familiar voice asking: “Where are we all from? Donegal? So am I!,” which turned out to be Ireland captain Seamus Coleman, a native of Killybegs, who welcomed everyone one-by-one and posed for photographs. He would later return with an Irish jersey signed by the likes of Dara O’Shea and James McClean.

The Ireland that Seamus Coleman arranged to be signed 

“We had an itinerary so had a rough idea of what we were going to be doing and when but when Seamie came out it was a great surprise to everyone,” Liam adds. “He’s so down to earth and had so much time for everyone, which was greatly appreciated. We watched on as the atmosphere built up towards kick off.”

Republic of Ireland captain Seamus Coleman with the mascots from Dunfanaghy Youths and Glenree United

Dunfanaghy Youths players Aisling Toner, Ciara Ward Duffy, Anthony Dawson, Riley Sweeney, Caoimhe Langan and Cian McCaul and Glenree United’s Erin Caldwell, Ellie Wilkin, Kyle Doherty, Cody Boyce and Seamus McCloskey were the mascots in front of an attendance announced as 41,120.

They joined the Irish team for the pre-match pleasantries, including Amhrán na bhFiann. Then, watching on from the West Stand bahind Stephen Kenny and the Irish squad’s dugout, they saw substitute Ohi Omoijuanfo strike a late Norway winner to beat Ireland 2-1 after Alan Browne had cancelled out Leo Ostigard's opener.

Alan Browne of Republic of Ireland scores his side's goal against Norway

“It was disappointing to lose but great for the kids to hear and Aviva roar when Alan Browne scored early in the second half when Ireland played well," Liam says. "It was a fantastic goal.

“We have to thank the FAI for their hospitality and for really going out of their way and to Stefan and everyone who played a part in making it happen. It was great for both clubs, ourselves and Glenree, who have a good relationship and Stefan was brilliant too - he certainly hasn’t forgotten his roots. Everyone had a brilliant day.

The mascots with the Irish team for the national anthems before the international friendly between Ireland and Norway

“It gave everyone a bit of a lift and some hope after what happened last month. We’re very much a club based in the community and we plan to open our new pitch in Dunfanaghy next year and while at the minute we’ve teams from U-8 to U-14, we’re looking to establish an U-16 and a girls’ team. There’s a great interest in football here - we’d 34 at training on Friday night for example - and the visit to the Aviva with Glenree really whetted the appetite further.”

The journey home in the early hours was a little quieter after a long day and as the bus pulled in at Creeslough, the N56, which had opened not long after their departure almost 14 hours beforehand, was quiet as well. Creeslough reopening is a small step in the right direction for the community, just like Thursday as a whole was.