Speech: Letterkennny Rovers Civic Reception
July 21st, 2005It is a great privelege to be here tonight, as Mayor of Letterkenny, to Honour the most recent excellent achievement of Letterkenny Rovers, following your victory in this year’s Ulster Senior League. This is my first official Civic Reception as Mayor, and I am glad to see this presentation being made to such a deserving group.
The Civic Reception is the highest honour Letterkenny Town Council can give to any person or organisation. The Civic Reception is intended to honour and recognise outstanding achievement and outstanding commitment to the town of Letterkenny and the extended community of the Town. There can be no doubt that Letterkenny Rovers deserves this honour, on foot of their excellent work throughout the years. It is a bonus that we can come together tonight to celebrate such an excellent victory.
Letterkenny Rovers has shown outstanding commitment to Letterkenny over the years. We gather tonight to celebrate a victory of the Men’s Senior Team, but it must be remembered that Letterkenny Rovers is an active group in both Senior and Underage Football, for both Men and Women. Tonight, Letterkenny Town Council honours not just those who were involved with the most recent victory, but all those who have shown a commitment to Letterkenny Rovers over the years. All the coaches, managers, players, supporters who have helped make Letterkenny Rovers a central part of life in Letterkenny; this honour is for you.
Personally, I am proud to be here this evening. The extended Blake family has a long and proud history with Letterkenny Rovers, a tradition that continues today. Any of you who know my family will know that I’m not the natural footballer in our house, but even I can testify to the excellent work that Letterkenny Rovers undertake every year to get young people involved and active in sport. My football career may not have worked, but they tried! At a time when we continually read reports in the press about the growth of childhood obesity, it is important to recognise the contribution of voluntary groups such as Letterkenny Rovers.
To the the winners of the Ulster Senior League, I give you my congratulations, and to all those who have worked over the years to make Letterkenny Rovers the organisation it is today, I give you my deepest thanks on behalf of all the people of Letterkenny.