Congratulations to Athlone Town on winning the Womens FAI Cup this weekend.

In the midst of their historic Women’s FAI Cup celebrations, Athlone Town Director of Football Michael O’Connor made several impassioned pleas to the Irish Government to support domestic football. This is an excellent interview expressing far more articulately than we ever can the sentiment felt right across grass roots football clubs in Ireland not just at LOI.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BijQB1lhct0

As a club we have struggled in the past to compete with other sporting organisations for a fair share of government capital sports grants. Our grounds development will increase sports participation for girls, boys, men, women, advantaged and disadvantaged right across our community.

We encourage you to listen to the interview above and share Michael's sentiment loudly, wherever and to whoever you can. Our club needs the governments backing this time around - don't penalise our club for the sins of the FAI in the past.

We couldn't agree more with one of Michaels comments... “I’m not part of the FAI, I’m just an ordinary guy who has to charge kids to play football, charge their parents. Some parents can’t afford it. If we don’t get it, we don’t sort of pursue people. But there is no funding coming in for it and there is more stuff going on, social things happening. Do they realise what soccer clubs do socially for their area? Integrating with their kids, bringing the kids that may never have a chance in, to give them a chance.”