This Saturday, February 5, at 1pm in Loughshinny United FC’s ground in North County Dublin a match of great significance will take place as Sporting Fingal take on Cork City.
Three years ago Sporting Fingal became the first league of Ireland club to embrace football under the Flag of Special Olympics.
At the time, this landmark move by the league of Ireland club, was felt could inspire other clubs in the league, to embrace this level of the game and incorporate it into its club structures.
Cork City FC members became aware of this development and duly made inquires with those in Sporting Fingal who championed the club’s venture into the National league of Special Olympics to seek their advice and assistance.
And in September of 2010 CORK CITY joined the NATIONAL league for their debut Season.
Sporting Fingal is proud to have been the pioneers of developing a Special Olympics team within its ranks, but is gives club great pride to see more clubs embrace the idea, and urges clubs around Ireland to be open to idea and embrace what is a very worthwhile venture that only enhances football for the whole community.
The club would also like to thank all volunteers who lead the project on a weekly basis, and that anybody who wishes to get involved helping the special Olympics branch or any players wishing to join, all should contact Club Manger Richard Dunne on 087641229 for more information.
And now a message from our opponents this Saturday, Cork City Special Olympics FC.
With Cork City Football Club now being a supporters’-owned club, we feel it is extremely important that we forge links with all members of the “football family.”
With such a significant percentage of the population, from all walks of life, participating in the sport, we believe that football has a unique ability to bring people together, and thus promote positive messages such as healthy living, anti-discrimination and pride in our community.
We were delighted to hear that a Special Olympics Football Club had been set up in the city, and are extremely proud to be associated with this club. As already stated, we believe that football is better placed than any other sport or leisure activity to knit a community together, and this is at the heart of what we wish to do at Cork City FC.
The work being put in by all involved in Cork City Special Olympics FC is an excellent example to all who have an interest in sport in terms of what can be achieved by people who are dedicated to the task they have set themselves.
This hard work, coupled with some excellent results on the pitch, has meant Cork City Special Olympics FC have enjoyed an excellent debut season, and we wish them continued success.