17/04/2026
In the Dáil last night we spoke on the challenges faced and opportunities available to Irish football. Irish football remains underfunded and neglected with a lack of infrastructure and facilities.
Supporting grass roots football is so important for integration and cohesion. In working class communities across Limerick, it is clubs such as Ballynanty Rovers, Geraldines FC, Star Rovers, Moyross and others that are often the hub of community activity. It is the volunteer coaches, grounds-people and the unsung committee members that keep our local leagues thriving. But if our local clubs are to continue to develop the champions of tomorrow, they need more support now.
If we want to develop our homegrown talent, we must be investing more in our football academies and football infrastructure. The government have left our football academies short by allocating €3 million instead of the €4.45 million requested and needed.
A special mention to Treaty United. They have done incredible work in promoting the sport in Limerick, their women’s and men’s academies continue to attract promising talent, and while the results haven’t gone our way yet this year for the men’s team, I have no doubt that Tommy Barret and the boys can turn it around. The women’s team have started well this year and their 3-2 win against Cliftonville has pushed them right up the table.
And it’s First time a Limerick soccer jersey ever appeared in the Dáil chamber
