LOCAL FOOTBALL CLUBS SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO COMPETE LOCALLY

Paul McAuliffe, TD for Dublin North West, has urged that local football clubs should be allowed to continue competing locally in north Dublin, following the recent development of a merger between the North Dublin Schoolboys/Girls League (NDSL) and North-Eastern Regional League (NERL). McAuliffe has echoed the concerns of many clubs that the merger would mean they would now have to travel long distances across, the northeast of the country, to compete in match fixtures. Commenting on the issue, Deputy McAuliffe said: “Many local clubs, including parents from Willows FC and Artane Beaumont FC, have been in contact with me to let me know of their significant concerns about the merger of the NDSL and NERL. The clubs should be allowed to continue competing locally - long travel is just not feasible for many people, and this would create another barrier in accessing local sport. I understand that The Dublin and District Schoolboys'/Girls' League (DDSL) is under pressure for referees and other resources, but they should be allocated interim funding through the FAI, wherever possible, to ensure that school children have the opportunity to continue playing locally. I have made contact with the FAI, the DDSL and have raised this issue in the Dáil. We cannot end up in a situation whereby local children have to stop being involved in their local club due to having to travel to large parts of northeast Leinster for matches. Long travel is just not feasible for many families, and I worry this could greatly impact overall participation of local children in our local football clubs.”