A wonderful presentation evening was held in Rosnakill Resource Centre on Saturday night with special guests, former Celtic & Ireland Legend Packie Bonner and current Under-19 Irish International Zoe Greene.
Packie Bonner opened the Academy 15 years ago and was fitting that he would return to celebrate the Club’s 15th anniversary.
The Club currently has 210 players, participating in all age groups from U6 to U16 in both girls and boys competitions. The hall was filled to capacity as awards were presented in each of the competitive categories.
On the night appreciation awards were made to Patrick Sweeney and Fergus Mc Ateer, both of whom the club owe a huge debt of gratitude.
From day 1 back in April 2002 to the current day, both have provided guidance, assistance and all sorts of other help to Mulroy Academy.
It was fitting that in marking the 15th Anniversary of the club that Patrick and Fergus were duly acknowledged for their work and dedication to the club. All of the parents, managers, coaches and committee are thanked for maintaining a progressive and positive ethos within the Club.
Mulroy Soccer Academy was formed in 2002 initially as Swilly Mulroy Underage Soccer Academy (SMUSA) with a vision of promoting and encouraging the development of underage football for boys and girls aged from 4 – 16 years in the Swilly /Mulroy area i.e. Fanad, Glenvar, Kerrykeel, Rathmullan & Whitestrand.
Initially, the clubs in the surrounding area, Rathmullan FC, Whitestrand FC, Kerrykeel 71 & Fanad United were brought on board but due to a number of issues including pitch insurance, the Academy began life in Triaghaloch on the home ground of Fanad United.
The founder members of the club were Colm McGonigle, Fergus McAteer & Eamon McConigley. And at a public meeting held in Paddy Mórs, Kerrykeel on 25th February 2002, the first committee of the club was formed which consisted of Eamon McConigley (Chairperson), John McElwaine (Asst. Chairperson), Fergus McAteer (Secretary), Colm McGonigle (Asst. Secretary) & Martin McAteer (PRO).
After many further meetings under the guidance of FAI representatives, Declan McIntyre and Joe Boyle, the club officially launched on 27th April 2002 with Packie Bonner performing opening ceremony duties, the club grew from there with summer training and a mini-world cup taking place that year. Mulroy then had our application for participation in the North-West Schoolboys League accepted the following year and in 2006, the club joined the Letterkenny & District Schoolboys League.
Mylie McBride (Kerrykeel) was the captain of the first trophy winning team, an under 10 astroturf league competition in 2003. The following year saw the club change its name to Mulroy Academy as it was providing underage football for children predominantly from the Mulroy catchment area. The club have grown from strength to strength over the past 15 years with our annual summer camp running in the same format as back in 2002.
The club use Triaghaloch & Rab’s Park, Kerrykeel as their home grounds and this season the club operated 14 different teams in all age groups from under 16 down and at present 210 children are registered with the club.
Two years ago, saw the introduction of girls-specific football teams in the club, an initiative that has been hugely successful. This has gained such momentum within the Club providing soccer for 90 girls.
Throughout the years there have been many achievements for the club, from League and Cup honours to representative teams on the national stage as well as a plethora of players selected for various representative and County teams. At a meeting of the club with FAI representatives on 25th March 2002, former Finn Harps Goalkeeper and FAI coach Declan McIntyre stated that the setting up of the club for the children of the area will build pathways and produce great young players, his colleague Joe Boyle also added that continuity and keeping standards high on and off the field was important.
