John Delaney guest speaker at Candlelight Ball

FAI chief executive John Delaney has been announced as the guest speaker for the 19th annual Valentine’s Candlelight Ball, which is taking place in Breaffy House Resort on Saturday, February 16, in aid of Western Care Association.

Delaney was appointed chief executive of the FAI in March 2005 having held the post in an acting role for several months. During his tenure he has overseen the appointments of Steve Staunton, Giovanni Trapattoni, Martin O’Neill and Mick McCarthy as Irish soccer managers.

He rose to prominence following the Roy Keane Saipan saga in 2002 where he emerged as the FAI’s public figurehead.

Welcoming the announcement, chairperson of the Castlebar Voluntary Branch of Western Care, Dara Dunne, said he was delighted that someone with such a high profile as John Delaney would be attending and speaking at this year’s ball.

“John Delaney is a household name and we are really looking forward to giving him a big Mayo welcome when he attends our ball in Breaffy House as our guest speaker.

“I am looking forward to hearing about the trials and tribulations of Irish soccer and no doubt John will bring his renowned wit and charm with him for the occasion.”

This year’s ball will be televised for Sky TV and will be aired shortly afterwards on Henry McGlade’s popular magazine show iMayo TV on Sky 192.

The ball was launched on December 8 in the TF Royal Hotel by country music star Daniel O’Donnell.

Once again the event’s main sponsor is Brendan Chambers of Vodafone C&C Cellular together with the sponsors Abbey Breaffy Nursing Home and Corrib Oil and many businesses from across the county who donate prizes to the ball.

The Candlelight Ball takes place in Breaffy House Resort on Saturday, February 16, at 7 p.m., commencing with a champagne reception followed by gala dinner, raffle, auction and lots of prizes.

Tickets costing €50 are available from Western Care Head Office, John Moore Road, Castlebar; Teresa Ward, Development Officer, 087 2467857; or from committee members. The 2019 committee are Dara Dunne, Caroline Costello, Barbara Flynn, Caroline Gordon, Lorraine Hall, Cora Mulroy, Helena Boylan, Henry McGlade, Naomi Tiernan, Orla Cunningham, Pauline Brennan, Steve O’Donnell, Siobhan Horan, Toni Bourke, Ethna Doherty, Teresa Ward and Tom Collins.