FAI Chairman

Congratulations to the Munster Football Association and to all the footballers from Midleton FC, Ennis Town, Fairview Rangers, St Michael’s, Villa FC and Douglas Hall as you prepare for a wonderful weekend of Cup final football at Turners Cross.

As an (ageing) Grassroots player myself, I know just how much these finals will mean to the players and their families, their coaches and all their supporters and sponsors on a weekend of Cup finals in Cork, one of the great footballing towns in Ireland of course (and as my President often reminds me!).

These games are also the Centenary Cup Finals for the Munster FA, so it will be a particularly significant honour for those who lift the trophies over the three days. I want to wish you all the very best of luck and I know that you will compete for those trophies with real pride on this historic weekend.

May I also take this opportunity, on behalf of the Association, to remember Tony Murphy and Vincent Cummins, two stalwarts of the MFA and of Irish football who gave so much of their lives to making our game what it is today. They were devoted to our sport and it is fitting that we remember them today.

Finally, I would like to thank all those working behind the scenes to make this series of Cup finals the success we know it will be. Your contributions are really appreciated.

May the best teams win but may the experience be a great one for all and live long in the footballing memory for everyone involved, win or lose .