Fantastic atmosphere at Fingal Sports Office Watch Party in Blanchardstown
Organised in In partnership with Sport Ireland and Active Cities , Fingal County Council Sports Office were thrilled to host a World Cup Watch Party at the Sport Ireland Campus in Blanchardstown the event saw for Ireland’s opening game against Australia! 1,500 people, attended the booked-out Ultimate Viewing Experience, including Mayor of Fingal Councillor Adrian Henchy and Australian Ambassador Gary Gray, in attendance.
The celebrations began with a parade of young supporters walking from Corduff to the Sports Ireland Indoor Arena. When the doors opened at 09:30 am, the venue became a sea of green with enthusiastic young families decked out in their Ireland colours. The match was viewed on three large screens from kick off at 11.00 am and there were plenty of other activities to entertain the younger audience including huge balloons and giant football/dartboard.
The event got fantastic support from elected representatives, with the attendance of Minister Jack Chambers T.D, T.D Niamh Smyth TD, Senators Malcolm Byrne, Emer Currie, Shane Cassells and Malcolm Byrne as well as Fingal Councillors Tom Kitt, Siobhan Shovlin and Ted Leddy.
Although the result disappointed the nation, FM104 Strawberry Alarmclock DJ Crossy kept the community in high spirits, giving away two signed Irish jerseys to two lucky viewers, courtesy of the Fingal Sports Office which were presented by the Australian Ambassador. It was hard to pick the winner of the best dressed superfan as the event saw a wave of Irish green jerseys as everyone got into the spirit. Although the result disappointed the nation, FM104 Strawberry Alarmclock DJ Crossy kept the crowd in high spirits, giving away two signed Irish jerseys to the two best dressed fans with the Australian Ambassador making the presentations.
Mayor of Fingal Cllr Adrian Henchy said: ‘”It was aI am delighted to be here at this great event and the atmosphere wasis fantastic with the local community in Blanchardstown really getting into the spirit! It wasis great to see so many of my fellow elected representatives present hereand also and the Australian Ambassador. I know Ambassador Gray at least wasis pleased with the result. Well done to the Fingal Sports Office and everyone who worked tirelessly to organise this. We’ll continue supporting the Girls in Green all support the Girls in Australia, and we’re proud of all they have already achieved!”’
Fingal Chief Executive AnnMarie Farrelly commented: “ ‘I want to thank all those who came today to show their support for the Irish Women’s National Team and the Sports Office team for organising such a great occasion. This event is a testament to our commitment to women's football within the community and the incredible achievements of the Irish teamTeam Ireland. It was a great opportunity for fans to unite and celebrate the sport we love while cheering on our national team wwho have achieved so much.’
With Fingal natives Izzy Atkinson and, Diane Caldwell part of Ireland’s World Cup squad and Jamie Finn travelling to Australia, the county is delighted to get behind the proud Fingallians and Fingal County Council wish them and the whole Irish squad the best of luck against Canada this Wednesday and Nigeria on July the 31st!
