Hosted by Cork's Lord Mayor, Cllr Mick Finn and Mayor of Cork County, Cllr Patrick Gerard Murphy, tributes were paid to the FAI's outgoing President and Cork native Tony Fitzgerald.

With Republic of Ireland senior international managers Martin O'Neill and Colin Bell in attendance, FAI Chief Executive John Delaney thanked Cork for the warm welcome received from 40+ clubs during the Festival of Football.

The final day of visits to grassroots clubs began at Macroom FC, where the club's Murray Field facility was shown to the FAI delegation.

From there, it was on to Coachford AFC, where the FAI announced it will fund the purchase of new nets to keep footballs on the club's grounds.

The penultimate visit of the day saw Liam Miller be remembered at his localBallincolling AFC, as the club's local players took part in the Liam Miller Memorial Blitz.

Avondale United hosted the final visit of the week, as the club showed the redevelopment work done of their new pitch ahead of it's future unveiling.

Thursday also saw the final Family Fun Day take place at the UCC Mardyke as 200 children from the area took part in the day.

Tomorrow sees the official reopening of facilities upgrades at Turners Cross, while Rochestown Park Hotel hosts the annual FAI Delegates Dinner.

The second round will see two non-league teams look to extend their run in the competition. CIE Ranch, who recorded a late win over Dublin Bus in the first round, welcome First Division leaders UCD to Greenogue on Friday, August 24, with kick-off at 7.45pm.

Maynooth University Town secured a comfortable 2-0 win over Leeds in the first round and their reward is a trip to SSE Airtricity League and FAI Cup Champions Cork City on Friday, August 24, with kick-off at 7.45pm. 

All but one fixture will be played on Friday, August 24 with Shelbourne's trip to the City Calling Stadium to face Longford Town on Saturday, August 25, with kick-off at 7.30pm. 

Full Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup Second Round Fixture Schedule:-

Friday, August 24

CIE Ranch v UCD, Greenogue, 7.45pm
Cork City v Maynooth University Town, Turner's Cross, 7.45pm
Derry City v St. Patrick's Athletic, Brandywell Stadium, 7.45pm
Drogheda United v Waterford, United Park, 7.45pm
Dundalk v Finn Harps, Oriel Park, 7.45pm
Galway United v Bohemians, Eamonn Deacy Park, 7.45pm
Limerick v Cabinteely, Markets Field, 7.45pm

Saturday, August 25

Longford Town v Shelbourne, City Calling Stadium, 7.30pm

On an celebratory night, history was made when the President of the Irish Football Association, David Martin spoke to those in attendance. It is the first time an IFA President has addressed the FAI Delegates, and he announced the creation of the Presidents Junior Cup.

FAI Junior Cup winners North End United (Wexford) will play IFA Junior Cup winners Enniskillen Rangers (Fermanagh) in Whitehall on August 25th.

There were 20 recipients of the John Sherlock Services to Football Awards, one winner of the Jeremy Dee Services to Women's Football, one winner of the Noel O'Reilly Coach of the Year Award and four winners of the FAI Communications Awards. 

The final award of the night saw Tipperary's Ballymackey FC crowned as the 2018 FAI Club of the Year, while Meath's Ashbourne United AFC were given the 2018 FAI Club of the Year Merit Award.

2018 FAI Club of the Year
Ballymackey FC 

FAI Club of the Year (Merit Award)
Ashbourne United AFC

John Sherlock Services to Football Awards
Christy Byrne (Castleview)
Ciaran Collins (Ferns Celtic)
John Coughlan (Springfield Ramblers)
John Delea (Rockmount AFC)
Philip Doyle (FAI)
Terry Dunne (Corkbeg AFC)
Eddie Foley (20th Anniversary of officiating at the 1998 FIFA World Cup)
Donnie Harmon (Kilnamanagh FC)
Albert Johnston (Templeogue United)
Noel Kennelly (Honourary Secretary, Amateur Football League)
Martin Loughran (Crumlin United)
Sean Lynch (Innishvilla)
Anne Maher (Enfield Celtic)
James Magee (Killester United)
Willie McGuirk (Donnycarney FC)
Adrian Melia RIP (Sports Photographer)
Jimmy Mooney (Referee - ISRS, Wicklow Branch)
Joe O'Sullivan (Geraldines AFC)
Pat Smith RIP (Greystones United)
Ger Stanton (Everton AFC)

FAI Communications Awards
Best Photograph - Paul Lundy
Best Digital Initiative - The Mayo Football Show Podcast
Best Feature - "'You are always questioning yourself' - Pain of Ryan McBride's death still felt by Derry City" - Marie Crowe (Sunday Independent)
Best PRO - Ryan Corry (Newmarket Celtic)

Noel O'Reilly Coach of the Year
Karl Lambe (St. Kevin's Boys)

Jeremy Dee Services to Women's Football Award
Geraldine O'Donnell (Limerick Ladies League)

This year was the 12th year the Festival of Football has visited clubs in a different county in the build-up to the AGM to promote and recognise the work done at grassroots level.

The 2018 Festival of Football was the biggest in the history of the association, with former Republic of Ireland internationals Ray Houghton, Richard Dunne, Stephen Hunt, Stephen Kelly and Kevin Kilbane alongside current Ireland WNT internationals Roma McLaughlin, Amber Barrett and Amanda Budden visiting clubs around Cork.

Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill and Ireland WNT Head Coach Colin Bell led a delegation of international coaches that toured the county as part of the Festival of Football over the course of the course of eight days.

Among the highlights of the 2018 Festival of Football include:

- 43 grassroots clubs visited
- Over €1million in funding given to grassroots clubs
- More than 4.8million people reached on social media

At the AGM, it was announced that Denis O'Brien was named the FAI's Honourary Life President.

Mr. O'Brien has been a vocal and valuable supporter of Irish football at all levels in recent years, and the honour was bestowed upon him by the FAI Committee.

It was also announced that registrations for Volunteering at UEFA EURO 2020 and the 2019 UEFA Under-17 Championships has opened, with the Association looking to have the Irish public become involved in what promises to be two special events.

Interested participants can sign up at http://www.fai.ie/domestic/volunteers

At a Special Meeting of Council, Donal Conway was elected President of the FAI, replacing the out-going Tony Fitzgerald, with Noel Fitzroy elected to the role of Vice-President.

Mr Ceferin has already made a significant impact since his appointment as UEFA President in 2016 and the FAI believe that he is best placed to continue driving the organisation forward by continuing his great work and development of the game.

The FAI welcomed Mr Ceferin to Dublin in October 2017 and he will return in December for the UEFA EURO 2020 Qualifying Draw in the Convention Centre, as well as a UEFA Executive Meeting and various other functions. 

The WNT welcome Northern Ireland to Tallaght Stadium on Friday, August 31, with kick-off at 5.30pm, the final game of the FIFA 2019 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Colin Bell's side started the campaign back in September 2017 with a 2-0 win over Northern Ireland in Lurgan and will be looking to finish the campaign on a high.

Shelbourne Ladies striker Jessica Ziu receives her first call-up to the squad following an impressive debut season for the Continental Tyres Women's National League side. The 16-year old has also impressed for the Women's Under-17 and Under-16 sides, and will gain valuable experience with the WNT. 

Heather Payne, who recently secured a move to Women's Super League side Bristol City, has returned to the squad following injury which ruled her out for the qualifiers against Norway. 

Player of the Year Harriet Scott, who has recently moved to Birmingham City, has fully recovered from injury which saw her miss out on the Norway qualifiers whilst Shelbourne Ladies goalkeeper Amanda McQuillan misses out through injury.

Tickets for the match are currently on sale via Ticketmaster with tickets priced at €5 for adults and FREE for Under-18s for the match at Tallaght Stadium. 

Republic of Ireland Women's National Team Head Coach Colin Bell said: "We're looking to end the campaign on a high and it is vitally important we get a win in front of our supporters.

"We've had a fantastic campaign where we pushed two world-class teams in Norway and the Netherlands, and I'm delighted with how the team has developed during the course of qualifying.

"Whilst we can no longer qualify for the World Cup, every game at international level is important as we look to continue to progress ahead of the European Championships qualifying next year.

"Congratulations to Jessica Ziu on her first call-up to the senior team. She is someone who has really impressed me, having worked with her for the past 12 months. She has really progressed this season in the Women's National League and in home-based training, and I believe she can really benefit from the week."

Republic of Ireland WNT squad v Northern Ireland

Goalkeepers: Marie Hourihan (Brighton and Hove Albion), Amanda Budden (Cork City).

Defenders: Harriet Scott (Birmingham City), Diane Caldwell (SC Sand), Louise Quinn (Arsenal), Heather Payne (Bristol City), Claire O'Riordan (MSV Duisburg)

Midfielders: Tyler Toland (Maiden City), Karen Duggan (Peamount United), Denise O'Sullivan (NC Courage), Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Isibeal Atkinson (Shelbourne Ladies).

Forwards: Rianna Jarrett (Wexford Youths), Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Leanne Kiernan (West Ham), Amber Barrett (Peamount United), Aine O'Gorman (Peamount United), Jessica Ziu (Shelbourne Ladies)

The event was open to girls from Under 8 through to Under 13 with over 50 teams participating. The festival has been running for 16 years but this is the eighth running of the Girls Only festival run in tandem with the Powerchair Football section of the tournament, which took place on the same day in Gormonston Park. 

Paul Keogh FAI/Fingal County Council Development Officer commented: "There was a great turnout by girls teams from all over Fingal and indeed Dublin - we even had the Donegal League take part, which is a great indication of the appeal of this event that people will travel so far to play. This event gets bigger and better every year and a lot of credit must go to the work being done by local clubs to encourage the growth of women’s football in communities around the county."

Senior Sports Officer of Fingal County Council, Niall McGuirk, stated: "The Fingal Festival of football continues to grow and evolve each year. We need to provide events like this to give girl’s more choice and opportunity when it comes to participation in sportand encourage clubs to continue to form girls’ teams to try and tackle female dropout rates from sport." 

While the Fingal Festival of Football caters for both elite and community sections the overall ethos remains the same in that it’s a community event providing a fun environment for young people to come together, while enjoying their sport and creating an opportunity for them to meet people from all over the country.

After some nail biting finals the Mayor presentedthe Harmony Cup, now named after the late Gerry Lynam, one of the founders of the tournament to U13 Elite Winners: Glebe North FC & Runners up: Cherry Orchard. The U13 Community Winners were: Malahide United & Runners Up: Killegland FC and U12 Elite Winners: Peamount United.

The winners of the Powerchair Football, Midlands United received the Harmony Cup trophy from the acting Mayor of Fingal, Jimmy Guerin, after they defeated DCU in the final. Both teams will be representing Ireland later this year in Europe in the Powerchair Champions League.

In the tie of the round, the Candystripes secured an incredible victory over St. Patrick's Athletic thanks to Adrian Delap's late strike. The drama continued into the final minute of the game as Gerard Doherty pulled off an incredible 95th-penalty save to ensure Derry's progression.

There was extra-time heart-break for non-league side CIE Ranch who pushed First Division leaders UCD all the way at Greenogue. An own goal and an Edward Smith header put CIE into a two-goal lead before Yoyo Mahdy pulled one back before the break. 

Just as it looked like ten-men CIE would hold out, Jason McClelland struck in the 88th minute to force extra-time. The extra man began to tell and the Students secured their passage with four goals in extra-time. Sean McDonald, McClelland Gary O'Neill and Mahdy all scored to secure the 6-2 victory.

Bohemians enjoyed an impressive victory against SSE Airtricity League First Division side Galway United at Eamonn Deacy Park. Darragh Leahy scored early on before Eoghan Stokes added a second to secure a comfortable victory for the Premier Division club. 

Waterford are also in the hat for the quarter-finals thanks to an early goal from Bastien Hery. Hery's 25-yard effort was enough to see Alan Reynolds' side past Drogheda United, who had knocked out Shamrock Rovers in the first round. 

Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup Champions Cork City continued their defence with a comfortable victory over Maynooth University Town. Goals from Aaron Barry, Kieran Sadlier, Josh O'Hanlon and Ronan Coughlan sealed a 4-0 victory at Turner's Cross.

Dundalk secured a comfortable victory over SSE Airtricity League First Division side Finn Harps at Oriel Park. Goals from Ronan Murray and Georgie Kelly either side of the break sealed the win with Finn Harps boss Ollie Horgan sent to the stands during the second-half. 

Finally, Limerick put their name in the quarter-final hat despite a late Cabinteely rally at the Markets Field. Goals from Connor Ellis and Barry Maguire were enough to see the Shannonsiders through despite a late Kevin Knight strike.

The final Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup second round tie takes place tomorrow evening at the City Calling Stadium as Longford Town entertain Shelbourne. 

For full match reports from all of the second round ties this evening, head to sseairtricityleague.ie for the in-depth coverage from around the grounds. 

Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup - Second Round Results

CIE Ranch 2-6 UCD (AET)
Cork City 4-0 Maynooth University Town
Derry City 1-0 St. Patrick's Athletic
Drogheda United 0-1 Waterford
Dundalk 2-0 Finn Harps
Galway United 0-2 Bohemians
Limerick 2-1 Cabinteely 

Whitehall played host to this contest which saw the FAI New Balance Junior Cup winners, North End United, take on the IFA Junior Cup Champions, Enniskillen Rangers, in a competition endorsed by FAI President Donal Conway and IFA President David Martin.

With FAI CEO John Delaney in attendance, along with officials from the Irish FA, this was another fantastic examples of the two Associations working together. And the action on the pitch didn't disappoint with little between the teams throughout.

North End started brightly by dominating possession and they really should have taken the lead after eight minutes. Both forwards, Adam Beary and Jason Murphy linked up brilliantly from midfield and the latter found himself through on goal with just Jerome Carleton to beat. The Rangers stopper stood big and brave to keep the score at 0-0. Minutes later the deadly duo combined again on the edge of the box with Murphy smashing an effort straight at Carleton again.

“The Gers” of Fermanagh - 17 times champions of the Fermanagh & Western League Division One - responded well with a great chance of their own. The pacey Christopher Curry received a clever slide rule pass on the inside left channel from striker Jason Keenan, and as he arrived to the edge of the box, he drilled a low effort to the far post. Keeper Lee Walker got down sharply to turn the daisy cutter wide with his finger tips as they began to grow into the tie.

North End broke the deadlock just before the half-time break. Striker Jason Murphy’s deflected, 30-yard free-kick rebounded off the post, and quickest to react was commanding centre-back Gary Delaney to tap home.

The Wexford side could have doubled their lead straight after. The lively Beary brilliantly found the overlapping full-back, Robin Dempsey who broke the offside trap and found himself one on one with Carleton. With shouts of “dink him” being roared, he unselfishly, squared to left winger Philip Drohan who, on the stretch, couldn’t convert.

Enniskillen started the second half at rip-roaring pace and deservedly got themselves back on level terms 10 minutes in. Christopher Curry showed brilliant feet to beat Delaney with a step over down the left wing and stood up a brilliant cross to the back post for striker Keenan to volley home.

The game had really caught fire now, and in the 71st minute The Sky Blues of Wexford restored their lead. Kyle Dempseys’ miscontrol from a fizzed pass to feet, caught the Enniskillen back line off guard, and Adam Dreary was quickest to react, showing tremendous composure to round the keeper and make it 2-1.

North End showed excellent composure on the ball to run out time with dominating midfielder Paul Murphy instrumental in keeping possession and organizing his side as his side deservedly lifted the President's Junior Cup.

North End United: Lee Walker; Robin Dempsey (Kieran Carthy 89), Dale Flynn, Gary Delaney, Tony Crosbie, Lee Waddin Byrne (Patsy Malone 80), Philip Drohan (Gary Dempsey 53), Paul Murphy, Jason Murphy (Niall Connolly 71), Adam Beary, Kyle Dempsey (Brandon Sinnott 89).

Enniskillen Rangers: Jerome Carleton; David Crozier, Jamie Robinson (Conor Watson 45), Stephen Chambers (Ciaran Smith 45), Richard Johnston, Neil Coulter, Christopher Curry (Ciaran Brough 82), Michael Simpson, Jason Keenan, James Turley (Christopher Keenan 87), Stuart Rainey (Mark Cutler 45).

Referee: Barry Fitzpatrick.

The Leesiders showed great determination to overcome Bohemians with a 2-1 triumph on Saturday afternoon in what was the final round of games in a thrilling first season.

The first game of the day saw Shamrock Rovers beat Bohemians 3-2, before Rovers then overcame Cork 3-0. Although the final contest was the all-important one as Cork edged past Bohemians at Ballymun United's complex in Dublin.

Rovers had been in great form in recent rounds and they finished their season in style with the two victories. With the likes of Simon Baker and Chris McElligott leading by example, The Hoops ended on a high and can reflect on a positive first year, which saw them lift the Manorfield Cup in July.

Lady Luck didn't smile down on Bohemians as they came up short in both of their final games, but Garry Hoey and his team-mates will be upbeat about they performed over the course of the season, which started by lifting the Senior Cup in January.

However, the final day plaudits were reserved for Cork City, who have been terrific throughout the season with the likes of Sean Og Murphy, Ruairi Murphy, Kevin Cahillane, Patrick Hickey, Abdi Ahmed, Martin Enright, David Saunders, Fergal Duffy and Owen Corkery making valuable contributions.

While Ronan Collins was a big influence on the team, a huge amount of credit should go to Chris McDermott, who has been a real driving force as a coach but also does fantastic work promoting amputee football and making a difference in his role with the More Than A Club project.

There is little doubt that this first season of the National League was a success, but it can only improve and that is exactly what the three clubs will be aiming for next campaign. For now though, it is Cork City who deserve to celebrate.

Martin O'Neill has selected a provisional Republic of Ireland squad for the UEFA Nations League opener against Wales (September 6) and the international friendly with Poland (September 11).

Injury results in Everton midfielder James McCarthy (leg), Robbie Brady, (ankle) Scott Hogan (groin), and Preston North End forward Sean Maguire (hamstring) being ruled out, while a number of senior players who missed the friendlies against Turkey, France and United States return.

There is a first senior call-up for goalkeeper Sean McDermott, who plays for Kristiansund BK in Norway's Eliteseruen. The 25-year-old qualifies through his Donegal-born father and has represented Ireland at Under-17, U-19 and U-21 level.

Preston North End forward Callum Robinson has received international clearance after obtaining an Irish passport through his Monaghan-born grandmother. He featured for an Ireland XI in the Scott Brown Testimonial in May.

The Ireland squad will report into camp on Sunday, September 2 before travelling to Cardiff on Tuesday, September 4 for the game against Wales. The squad will then travel on to Poland ahead of the game on Tuesday, September 11.

An updated squad will be announced on Monday, September 3 ahead of training at the FAI National Training Centre.

Republic of Ireland Provisional Squad
Goalkeepers: Colin Doyle (Hearts), Sean McDermott (Kristiansund BK), Kieran O'Hara (Macclesfield Town*), Darren Randolph (Middlesbrough)
Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Cyrus Christie (Fulham), Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Shane Duffy (Brighton & Hove Albion), Richard Keogh (Derby County), Ciaran Clark (Newcastle United), Kevin Long, Stephen Ward (Burnley), John Egan, Enda Stevens (Sheffield United), Darragh Lenihan (Blackburn Rovers), Greg Cunningham (Cardiff City)
Midfielders: Alan Judge (Brentford), Jeff Hendrick (Burnley), Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa), Alan Browne (Preston North End), Shaun Williams (Millwall), David Meyler (Reading), Harry Arter (Cardiff City*), Daryl Horgan (Hibernian), Callum O'Dowda (Bristol City), James McClean (Stoke City)
Forwards: Jonathan Walters (Burnley), Shane Long (Southampton), Graham Burke, Callum Robinson (Preston North End), Aiden O'Brien (Millwall)

*Indicates player is on loan

Region 2 (Munster/Ulster) will play three games in Group 2, against Buzau (Romania), West Slovakia (Slovakia) and North Riding Football League (England), with the winners qualifying for the Finals in 2019.

Ireland have a brilliant history in the competition, with a Munster/Connacht selection reaching the Final in Turkey in 2017, while the Eastern Region won the competition on home soil two years previously. Ireland have qualified for four of the past five tournaments.

Davis and his squad will meet in Waterford this weekend for a Training Camp, and he is hopeful the team will impress in Romania.

"It's a really difficult competition. There is rarely anthing between the teams. It poses different challenges every time."

16 of the 18-man squad come from Munster, with Donegal's Cockhill Celtic providing two players. Davis said the lure of representing their country has been a massive incentive.

"To represent your country is an honour at any level. These players want to wear the green jersey. We've been delighted with the commitment."

The tournament begins in Buzau on September 16th against the hosts.

Republic of Ireland UEFA Regions' Cup Squads
Goalkeepers: Brendan O'Connell (Rockmount FC), Mark Power (Cobh Wanderers)
Defenders: Peter Doherty (Cockhill Celtic), Chris Higgins (St. Michaels), Mark Horgan (Avondale United), Stephen Kelly (Newmarkey Celtic), Danny O'Neill (Janesboro FC), 
Midfielders: Tijani Aibor (Midleton), Jimmy Carr (St. Michaels), Hughie O'Donovan (Avondale United), Shane Ryan (St. Michaels), David Stack (Cobh Wanderers), Shane Walsh (Pike Rovers)
Forwards: Jimmy Bradley (Cockhill Celtic). Eoin Hayes (Newmarket Celtic), Simon Falvey (UCC), Kevin O'Connell (Rockmount), Cian O'Connor (Cobh Wanderers)

Under the tutelage of FAI Football for All Development Officer Nick Harrison, the seven Development Officers were trained in how to train visually impaired players in mainstream schools.

The training session is part of a strategic plan between Vision Impaired Football Ireland and the FAI Football for All programme to grow the game around the country. Through contacts in the visiting teacher network, FAI Development Officers can now deliver VI Football in schools to a class of students in which a particular student has a vision impairment.

Those children can then link in with one of the two existing regional centres in Cork and Dublin and there will also be provision to open new Training Centres in conjunction with FAI-led ‘Come and Try Days’ around the country.

Next week, all Development Officers in Munster will receive the training, as VI Football continues to grow around the country.

Goalkeeper Gerard Doherty was the hero for the Candystripes after his 95th-minute save against St. Patrick's Athletic in the second round of the competition.

Kenny Shiels' side have been granted another home tie with Bohemians on the road again after they cruised past Galway United in the second round. 

FAI Cup Champions Cork City face a trip to the City Calling Stadium to face Longford Town whilst First Division leaders UCD welcome Waterford to the UCD Bowl. 

Last year's FAI Cup finalists Dundalk are set to face Limerick in the final tie of the quarter-finals with dates and kick-off times to be confirmed in due course.

Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup - Quarter-Finals

Derry City v Bohemians
UCD v Waterford
Limerick v Dundalk 
Longford Town v Cork City

All fixtures set to be played on the week ending Sunday, September 9. 

Founded in 1970 as Granville Boys, when a group of young boys from Granville Park in Blackrock formed the team, the Blitz involved boys and girls from the area taking part in the event.

Over Saturday and Sunday, children took part in tournaments from Under-5s up to Under-13s, with medals handed out at the end by FAI Chief Executive John Delaney.

The club started a girls team three years ago and it has since boomed. Granada now have development teams up to Under-10s, and there is over 100 girls  at the club which represents huge growth in such a short amount of time.

As part of the Award, the ISA will receive €50,000 from the UEFA Foundation, to work with the FAI on future projects.

Dr. Pat Matthews, Executive Director of the Irish Society for Autism and Tara Matthews, Deputy Executive Director joined FAI Football for All National Coordinatior Oisin Jordan for the presentation.

FAI Chief Executive John Delaney feels that the ISA are worthy recipients of the award.

“In my role on the UEFA Executive Committee, it’s brilliant to see the work being done by the UEFA Foundation. I’m delighted that the Irish Society of Autism has won this award. 

“We have already worked with the ISA on creating Matchday Checklists for our international programmes in both Aviva Stadium and Tallaght Stadium, as well as inviting families who have children with autism to a number of Republic of Ireland games.

“The €50,000 we have secured from UEFA will help develop further workshops to include practical training and also to look at developing the matchday experience for supporters with autism."

For their work with the Football For All section of the club, Park Rangers have now reached the Regional Finals. The six winners will then go onto the National Finals and a Gala Awards ceremony in Dublin on Saturday 3rd November where there will be a €10,000 cash prize for each category.

Three of the club's 27 teams are Football for All teams for players aged between six and 18. In 2015, Park Rangers won a National Cara Inclusion Award for the establishment of a Football for All team catering for children with sensory, intellectual and/or physical requirements from accross the south-east of Ireland. Since then, the club has inspired two other Waterford clubs to establish Football for All teams.

The club believe that; No child is an outsider; every child has the right to participate in the fun of playing sports, the joy of teamwork and the achievement of kicking a ball, passing a ball, making or scoring a goal."

If victorious, the club hope to build a Centre of Excellence for children with sensory, intellectual and/or physical requirements. This multi-purpose building will have retractable walls and will be equipped to specifically cater for those who need it.

15-year-old Abbie played with Kilmore United's women's team before she tragically died from an acute virus in February 2016.

The club officially opened their new clubhouse and dressing rooms, with the help of John Delaney after an emotional weekend in Wexford.

For the first time ever, the Abbie Troy Tournament was hosted at Kilmore United, with players from the area competing.

Abbie's mother Elaine and sisters Eva and Chloe were on hand for the official opening, while her late father Tom was also remembered on the day.

The FAI also contributed €10,000 to the club to help fund future developments at the club.

The famous County Louth GC in Baltray (venue of the 2004 and 2009 Irish Opens) will host the event.

Founded in 1969 as Mosney Celtic, Drogheda Town now have teams at all age levels playing in Leagues in Drogheda and Dublin.

The club opened a new clubhouse in 2014, which has proven to be a valued community asset offering facilities to local classes, clubs, societies, charities, even our weekly bingo nights are a very popular community event.

As part of the prizes in Friday's event, the FAI have given two Premium Level tickets to each of Ireland's UEFA Nations Leage matches against Wales and Denmark, along with the International Friendly against Northern Ireland.

Any teams looking to enter, can contact Noel on 087 969 2562.

The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport have announced that €40million will be made available to different sports around the country.

Last year, over 2,300 applications were made across 45 different sports, with over 230 football clubs receiving grants, totalling over €7.25million.

FAI Chief Executive John Delaney has welcomed the new application stage, and hopes to see clubs from around the country apply for state funding.

"I would like to thank Minister Shane Ross, Minister for State Brendan Griffin and their colleagues in the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport for making such a financial commitment to sport in Ireland.

"Last year we were delighted to see over 230 football clubs receive grants of over €7.25million, that will help grassroots clubs around the country improve their facilities.

"Clubs have until October 19th to make their applications, and I encourage all clubs with an interest in applying to do so." 

The guide to making an application is now available on the the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport website on www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie

Registrations will close at 5pm on Friday, October 19.