Meath clubs put the welcome mat out as Festival starts

The FAI bandwagon rolled into Meath today as the Festival of Football kicked off with former Irish international Richard Dunne and the Association's President Donal Conway among those involved in getting the ball rolling. 

The bus containing a large group of people representing the Association arrived at the MDL at about 9.30 this morning. Amont those on board was Dunne and Irish women's international Megan Campbell. They were welcomed to the MDL by the secretary of the North East Football League Gerry Gorman 

They had a look around the Exhibition of Football that was on display at the MDL and which had been assembled by Eddie Starrs. Conway was also given a tour of the exhibition and expressed himself greatly impressed by the huge range of memorabilia on display. 

"It was fantastic, Eddie and Gerry took me through it this morning. Football you can see was here in this area for decades before the MDL, the different kits, the different hairstyles brought me back because I have lived through all those decades. I was fascinated by it," he said. 

After the MDL the FAI bus moved onto Navan Town/Cosmos just up the road before the trip was made to Robinstown FC and then Bohermeen Celtic - ambitious clubs who are all looking to improve their status - both on and off the field. 

No matter where they went the FAI delegation were warmly greeted - and this week they will be calling into many other clubs in Meath as the Festival continues culminating in next week's AGM. 

In the afternoon the delegation were due to visit OMP, Torro Utd, Johnstown FC and Parkvilla. 

See reports and photographs from the FAI's visit to the MDL and the various clubs in the next issue of the Meath Chronicle.