Castlebar Celtic receives FAI club distinction
A LARGE crowd gathered at Celtic Park last Saturday afternoon as Castlebar Celtic FC were presented with the FAI Club Mark 1-Star Player Development Centre award.
Club chairperson Joe McDonald welcomed special guest, FAI president Gerry McAnaney, to the club and thanked all the Celtic committee members for all the hard work they had done over the last few months in getting it over the line, the Mayo Football League, and all the coaches and volunteers at the club for their time and efforts, describing the club as a family.
Speaking at the event, Barry McGann, Club Development Programme Coordinator, said it was great to see so many, young and old, at the club. Celtic receiving this award puts them in the top two percent of clubs in Ireland, with only 43 clubs in Ireland having received this award.
The aims of the FAI Club Mark are to establish minimum operating criteria for football clubs, provide clubs with a road map to good governance, management and administration, support clubs on their journey, reward clubs for achieving and maintaining high standards, provide recognition to clubs for their commitment and achievements, and increase club’s capacity to operate effectively and grow football in communities throughout Ireland.
The Club Mark programme aims to support and encourage clubs to improve standards on and off the field with the result of having stronger clubs and a stronger game.
FAI local development officer and Castlebar native, Nigel Naughton, said he has special memories of the club, having been involved with them since he was five years old, and congratulated all involved.
Cathaoirleach of the Castlebar Municipal District Michael Kilcoyne, leas-cathaoirleach Blackie Gavin and Fine Gael Deputy Alan Dillon were also in attendance. Councillor Kilcoyne said the councillors have always supported the club and will continue to that, and presented the FAI president with a copy of Rebels in the Courthouse, a publication by Mayo County Council on the War of Independence and Civil War in the county from 1920 to 1925.
*You can read our interview with the FAI president Gerry McAnaney in next week's print edition.