hausA NORTHSIDE football club will host a special event next month to mark its 40th anniversary.
Dublin Airport Authority Football Club, formerly Aer Rianta FC, was founded in 1972 with the primary function of providing football for its staff.
To mark the occasion, a
‘Gathering’ event will be held on May 25 in the ALSAA sports complex.
Aer Rianta Football Club was formed by 14 football enthusiasts on March 1 1972 in O’Dwyer’s Pub, North Frederick Street, and entered the AUL Div 3 Saturday league for the 1972/73 season.
Today the club continues to compete with two Saturday teams in the Athletic Union League (AUL) despite a temporary hiatus to the Leinster Senior League (LSL) for a few years.
In the early
’80s, founding members Don Treacy and Joe Kelly had a vision to bring airport football to Europe and set about forming the European Airports Football Council (EAFC). In 1984 Dublin hosted the inaugural EAFC Tournament in the original ALSAA complex, where the club won its first of three tournaments.
The other successes were enjoyed in Rome
’92 and Vienna ’96. DAA Football Club continues to thrive 40 years on, building on the principles of its founding members who just loved football.
To mark the anniversary of the club a
‘Gathering’ event has been organised. The day will kick off with a festival of football 7-a-side tournament including representation from Manchester, Cork, Shannon and Dublin Airports.
The football event will close with an exhibition game against League of Ireland supremos St Patrick’s Athletic at 4.45pm.
The day will also cater for the families with bouncy castles, face painting and loads of ice cream so bring the kids along.
The official anniversary celebration will commence at 8pm with a gala event, affording the club an opportunity to welcome back past members, friends and invited guests.
The evening will include a presentation of faces spanning 40 years of football in Dublin Airport along with buffet style food and live music by
‘The Front’.
If you would like to take part in this special
‘Gathering’ and show your support for DAA Football Club, why not enter a team in the 7-a-side, treat the kids or attend the gala evening.
For more information visit www.daafc.ie or email info@daafc.ie