SPORT: We team up with Shels

WE’RE delighted to announce that Northside People has become the Official Media Partner to Shelbourne Football Club. 

The newspaper, which was launched almost 30 years ago in 1987, will be involved in the promotion of Shelbourne FC fixtures and events, at League of Ireland, Women’s National League and schoolboy/schoolgirl levels. This will be delivered through the printed format of the weekly newspaper, on its www.dublinpeople.com website and across its social media platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter. 

Commenting on the media partnership, Northside People group editor, Tony McCullagh, said: “We are very happy to be associated with an iconic local club such as Shelbourne FC, which has been part of the Dublin community since 1895. We are looking forward to helping Shels further build on their support base by encouraging football fans – and families in particular – to attend the first team’s home games at Tolka Park in Drumcondra for the upcoming season.” 

He added: “We have also been very impressed with the club’s commitment to developing up-and-coming talent through the Shelbourne Youth Academy, which caters for boys and girls and offers a complete pathway from schoolboy/schoolgirl soccer to League of Ireland level. We hope to work with the club in attracting new young players to Shelbourne FC in the future.” 

Shelbourne FC chairman, Joe Casey, commented: “The Northside People is the ideal media partner for us because it is so much a part of the community on the northside of Dublin. As a club, we have worked hard over the past 10 years or so to develop our underage setup for boys and girls. Building on that, this season we have entered a team in the Women’s National League for the first time. The people who run those parts of the club deserve great credit in helping us to establish Shelbourne FC as a community-based club. 

“Attracting families and young fans is key to the club’s future development. We’re introducing a Family Zone for our first team’s home matches in Tolka Park this season, with face-painting, competition prizes and a family seating area. We hope this will encourage families to come along to home matches.”

The first home match between Shelbourne FC and Cobh Ramblers will take place this Friday, March 4. The Family Zone activities are free and will start from 7pm.