Council honours Dublin stars at event in Swords 

FINGAL County Council recently honoured the Dublin senior football team and the ladies’ senior football team at a special ceremony held in County Hall, Swords. 

Chairman of the Dublin County Board, Sean Shanley, and chief executive John Costello were in attendance along with Paul Flynn (Fingallians), Paddy Andrews (St Brigid’s) and Darren Daly (Fingal Ravens) from the men’s team, and Niamh McEvoy (St Sylvester’s), Sinead Ahern (St Sylvester’s), Emma Colgan (Fingallians) and Oliva Leonard (St Maur’s) from the ladies’ team.

Mayor of Fingal Cllr Darragh Butler said 2016 had been a very good year for Dublin GAA with the men retaining their All-Ireland Football Championship and the National Football League titles, while the ladies reached a third successive All-Ireland Final and the semi-finals of the National League.

“If you look at the Dublin GAA crest you will see the Fingal Raven prominently displayed and we are proud of the contribution that clubs and players from our area play in the success of Dublin’s GAA teams from underage to senior,” said the mayor.

Fingal County Council chief executive Paul Reid also paid tribute to both teams and, in particular, the players. 

“You are role models for people in the county because of what you (do) on daily and a weekly basis,” he told them.

A number of Fingal councillors who attended, also took the opportunity to speak to and congratulate the players on their achievements and the inspiration they provide to the citizens of the county.

Sean Shanley thanked the mayor and Fingal County Council for honouring the teams and also praised the council for its assistance in helping clubs throughout the county, particularly in the provision of playing facilities.