Over 80 players take part in the first Tommy Fogarty Walking Football Cup

Verona FC hosted the very first Tommy Fogarty Memorial Cup for Walking Football on their ground on Saturday 27th July.

The tournament was organised in partnership between the FAI, Fingal County Council and Verona FC.

The tournament saw a total of 10 teams and over 80 players take part in what was a fun-filled day. Walking Football as the name suggests is a game of football with no running, no contact and is aimed at those over 50 years of age.

Verona FC hosted teams from the Kildare Walking Football League, Huntstown Hartstown FC, Coolock Walking Football group, Verona FC, Corduff FC, the Abbotstown Walking Football Group, Celbridge, Kildare WFL and Mucklagh from the Midlands.

“It’s not exclusively for over 50s as we have many players playing under the age threshold, who may have been advised by their doctor to take part in moderate exercise or just want to be involved with the group,” said Paul Breen, FAI/Fingal County Council Development Officer.

Fran Feane of the winning team said “I am 65 years of age and this is the first medal or trophy I have ever won in football and that is great to be able to say”.

Mr Breen continued: “The aim of this tournament was to promote Walking Football, to get more people involved and in particular to try get more clubs involved. This is the first time a club has hosted such a tournament in Fingal and we are very grateful to Verona FC for providing their facilities and the refreshments.

“A lot of credit should go to Tracy Gleeson, PRO Verona FC, for her work in coordinating the tournament. It really has been a great success and the feedback received from the participants has been very positive. Verona FC has expressed an interest in making this an annual event in memory of their former chairman Tommy Fogarty.”

The Fogarty family were present on the day and were delighted with the event with Tommy’s grandson Sean refereeing and presenting the cup and medal to the winning teams in the club bar after!

Walking Football is a great way for those who may no longer be able to play the game at the tempo that they could when they were younger but still have a hunger and want to play the game. It’s not just the obvious health benefits of the moderate exercise involved but the social aspect when the players get to meet up and have a chat over the customary cup of tea afterwards that makes the game appealing.

Aidan McQueeny of the Corduff team commented: “It’s great to get together with all the lads again that I have played football with over the years and have that bit of craic and a laugh.”

Walking Football is played every Wednesday morning in Abbotstown Indoor Arena and in Huntstown Hartstown FC every Thursday evening. New players are always welcome and for more information you can contact FAI Development Officer Paul Breen on 083-879-3692 or email [email protected]

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