Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Tomorrow, 12 June, is an iconic day in our country's history. It will be 32 years since Ireland beat England one-nil in Stuttgart. I had the great pleasure of bringing a double decker bus to that city with 22 soccer supporters from Ireland. It gave great joy and great hope to the Irish diaspora around the world, especially in the UK. Soccer, football and sport can be a diplomatic, enjoyable and interesting way to settle differences. Tomorrow will be a wonderful day to remember 32 years of being undefeated by our near neighbours, England, in, as some used to call it, the English game.

We are talking about the League of Ireland and the various issues regarding fundraising for clubs. Many clubs are going through serious stress and issues. The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Deputy Ring, brought in a certain grant for show societies of €5,000. It was a great injection of funds. Many GAA, soccer and rugby clubs around the country would benefit from a similar grant or a stipend of between €2,000 and €5,000. Such an injection could help many of those clubs in fundraising.

Many clubs are working extremely hard fundraising and have come up with different ideas. Years ago, one had club lotto and sponsored walks. Recently, Enniscrone Kilglass GAA had a ticketathon to raise funds. Geevagh GAA club had a 24-hour charity virtual relay. My soccer club in Boyle had a 50:50 draw which was very successful. Many people are joining it because there is a huge prize to be earned. My local soccer club earns over €1,500 a week from this draw.

A local GAA club, Shannon Gaels in north Roscommon, has brought the 50:50 draw to a new reckoning with a prize divided 40:40 and the remaining 20% going to a local charity. The local charity this week is the nursing home in Boyle. This is an innovative development. For clubs around the country, it is a great way of including community. I am not advocating gambling but it is a great idea to get funds.

I heard my colleague, Deputy Andrews, talk about Shamrock Rovers. I am delighted he mentioned Shamrock Rovers because as a Sligo Rovers supporter I am sick and tired of hearing about Rovers. There are two Rovers in this country, Shamrock Rovers and Sligo Rovers. In the west and north west, there is only one Rovers, Sligo Rovers.

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