Clondalkin Celtic were founded in 1969. The club has had to split location across the age groups in the club given the lack of home base with the Senior football sides playing home games out of Peamount FC, the U15’s playing out of St. Cuthberts Park and the SSG teams playing out of Deansrath Community College. The club is presently seeking capital sport grants funding for a Sports Pavilion in Saint Cuthberts Park to call home for all age groups.
The Club has grown massively from five-years ago where no schoolboys and schoolgirls teams were formed to the present day where it now operates two full academies of both boys and girls on Saturday mornings. This drive towards club expansion sees the creation of new SSG teams every year from this academy and we are delighted to be providing this vital sporting facility for the local community children.
As a club, they are actively involved in local community events such our annual participation in local parades, the running of an annual Fun Day and the holding their first outdoor cinema events on the pitch in Saint Cuthberts. Every year, the club holds a week-long community street league in the grounds of Deansrath National School. They are thrilled to be providing these events for the local community and hope to continue bringing community and football together in this part of Clondalkin.
On-field, the U15s had a particularly successful year winning their league cup and finishing top of their league.
The club participates in both the Leinster Senior League (LSL) and Dublin District Schoolboy League (DDSL). They have two Academies (boys & girls), ten Schoolboy teams and two Senior sides with about 200 active players and coaches.
As a volunteer organisation, there are many regular contributors to the running of the club and it would be difficult to mention all these people. Particular thanks could be given to all the Committee members and coaches who give up valuable personal time to commit to the Club and benefit of the community.
All coaches deserve a mention for the time and effort given week in week out to ensuring the community has a sport to offer the local children. Without these coaches, the teams could not be allowed practice the sport the kids all love. They gave their time and commitment to the local community to provide the experience and ability to manage the growth of their children’s development in the sport.
They provide the safe and nurturing environment necessary to help develop young footballers for the future. Special mention should go to Matt Tougher, Mariah Culloty and Jessica Lynch for their tireless efforts with the academies where the positive football experience begins for so many.
The committee members who manage the day to day running of this organisation deserve another mention. Tireless effort is put in by the committee to ensure the club development, growth and sustainability is ensured. All the meetings, phone calls and emails are vital as Clondalkin Celtic FC continues to provide a source of pride for the local community. Chairman Wayne Muddiman, Treasurer Paul Nolan and all other committee members take no days off from the hustle and bustle of club management. Another special mention should go to David McCarthy whose energetic commitment for anything that needs to be done and to social media has put a positive spotlight on the club!
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the club thanks the parents and children who commit their free time and effort to ensure their children have a future in the game at whatever level they play at. Without the kids in football, there is no football.
The FAI Club Mark is an award for grassroots clubs based on best practice in the governance, management and administration of a football club.
Clubs start their journey at Entry Level and can progress onto the One Star Award. Each step challenges the club to implement policies and procedures in line with best practice.
The FAI Club Mark is free and optional for clubs and aims to:
• Improve the management of clubs ‘off the field’
• Establish and promote best practice
• Empower and support clubs
• Recognise and reward clubs for achieving high standards
• Increase a club’s capacity to operate effectively and grow football in communities throughout Ireland.
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