COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

south dublin county council crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, September 12, 2011

MOTION NO. 20

MOTION: Councillor E. Tuffy

That the Council congratulates the players , management and members of Shamrock Rovers FC, on their great achievement in European football competitions, and expresses its support for the development of the FAI and its activities, including its League and Cup competitions.

REPORT:

Shamrock Rovers became the first Irish club to reach the Group stages of a major European football competition when they qualified last month for Group A of the Eoropa League.

Rovers' opponents in the group will be Rubin Kazan of Russia, PAOK Salonika of Greece and Tottenham Hotspur of England. Rovers will play each club twice, at home and away. The games will be played over the next few months with the first game scheduled for 15th September while the final group game will take place on 15th December.

Progress to this stage of the competition was achieved when Rovers defeated Partizan Belgrade of Serbia, after an extraordinary away win in Belgrade. This was a fantastic achievement and is a huge boost not only for Shamrock Rovers and their supporters, but also for Irish football followers everywhere, and is a testimony to the current standard of the Airtricity League of Ireland.

The Council has for many years lent its support to the F.A.I. and its activities in several ways, but principally through the F.A.I. Development Officers who work on behalf of the Council and the F.A.I. to foster and progress association football in South Dublin County, through working with the schools and clubs in the area.

The Council also works closely with Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium to ensure that the ground and its facilities are of a standard to allow Rovers to make progress not only in domestic league and cup competitions but also in European competitions. Rovers success will help the club to consolidate itself financially, but will also bring a considerable financial bonus to the businesses in Tallaght and its environs with the arrival of the Euorpean clubs and their supporters.

If the motion is passed, Shamrock Rovers will be formally notified of the Council's wish to congratulate the club on its achievements.