Local Credit Union to sponsor Dundalk FC women's football

A new partnership of Dundalk FC women’s teams with Dundalk Credit Union was officially launched in Oriel Park last night.

The Credit Union have become the club’s women’s Women’s football patron.

As part of the new collaboration, Dundalk FC and Dundalk Credit Union have also established a Community Sustainability Partnership which will see both organisations co-develop initiatives for their stated communities. 

The latest venture will see Dundalk Credit Union’s logo featured on the front of the Dundalk Women’s under 17 and 19 teams that compete in the EA SPORTS LOI academy.

Women’s football is one of the fastest growing sports in the world and Dundalk FC’s multi-year plan for women’s football will see a pathway developed to give all talented girls the opportunity to fulfil their potential as elite footballers.

As the existing community partner of the Louth Schoolgirls League, Dundalk Credit union are supporting the talented young players who may progress from the schoolgirls league to senior football with Dundalk FC.

Dundalk Chief Operating manager Martin Connolly speaking at the launch in Oriel last night said that he was delighted to have Dundalk Credit Union as the club’s women’s patron.

Republic of Ireland senior women’s international Chloe Mustaki was at last night’s launch.

She says it was amazing to hear that 1,100 girls have started to play soccer in Louth in the past 2 years.

Chloe says it’s great to see Dundalk have a 5-year plan to have a women’s senior team in the next 3 years.

She says even to have women’s teams in the under 17 and 19 category is great. Chloe plays for Bristol City and is recovering from an injury.

She should be fit for the Republic of Ireland’s senior women’s team that plays in the World Cup in Australia in July.

Chloe says she is happy for the town of Dundalk to have women’s football develop at such a rapid pace. The Bristol City player says that it is really exciting to see the amount of girls starting to play soccer in the Dundalk area.

The Dundalk under 19 women’s boss Jason McConville says that if the trajectory continues as it has been going, it’s hoped there will be a senior Dundalk women’s team in the National League within 3 years.

Jason says it’s about keeping the finger on the pulse and to see the club continue to progress the way it has done over the past while.

Jason says there are a number of underage women’s international players in the Dundalk area. He envisages a senior team in the national league from Dundalk sooner rather than later.

Jason says he really relishes the challenge. Jason is a son of Colm McConville and a grandson of the late Brian McConville. Brian died at the age of 34. He was a giant in League of Ireland soccer in the 1970s and won league and cup medals under Jim McLaughlin in 1976 and 1977.

Tragically, Brian died in February 1978 after returning home after Dundalk played Pats in a league game in Dublin. Colm is also a grand nephew of the late Tommy McConville, who was also a giant in Irish soccer in the 1970s.

Tommy won a number of Republic of Ireland senior international caps. He also won a string of honours in the league of Ireland. Tommy won league and cup medals with Dundalk in the 1970s. He was part of the club’s first double winning team in 1979. Tommy also sadly died at a very young age and is sadly missed by his family and all the supporters of Dundalk.

Martin Connolly confirmed that the club hopes to have a women’s senior team competing in the National league within 3 years. He says in order to achieve these goals there must be a willing team of partners.

He paid tribute to Derek Boyle the club’s women’s academy director and Bernard Freeman the head of women’s football at the club and all the coaches at the club. He said Dundalk FC has made great strides over the past number of years. 

He says the scheme is only in its infancy and that he looks forward to the continued development and growth of women’s football at the club.

Martin says off the field the club needs investors and willing partners. Martin added that the club has had a long-term relationship with Dundalk Credit Union and he thanked them for their continued support.

The launch was attended by many of the club’s under 17 and 19 teams. The news that Dundalk will have a senior women’s team in the National League is terrific news for the sport and club.