Presidential send off awaits Girls in Green as government commits additional funding for the women’s game

Ireland players with their shirts at the recent squad unveiling in UCD

Ireland players with their shirts at the recent squad unveiling in UCD Credit: Conor Ryan (ETPhotos)

The Girls in Green will get a Presidential send off in Tallaght on Thursday when President Michael D Higgins will attend the friendly against France before Ireland jet off to Australia for the World Cup.

In Farmleigh on Tuesday evening the squad got a government send off after which the FAI welcomed the announcement of additional funding to support development of Women and Girls' Football.

It was confirmed that up to half a million euro will be earmarked for grassroots girls' programmes, adult women recreational football and women in football leadership programmes.

CEO Jonathan Hill said: "As our Ireland Women's National Team prepare for their final World Cup preparation game on home soil, against France in Tallaght Stadium on Thursday night, it is fantastic that they would be celebrated by the Government in such a way which clearly means a lot to the Association.

"The announcement of additional funding is a great step forward in our ongoing work to fulfil the potential of football for women and girls in Ireland and it will help to build on the legacy that our current Women's Team are creating.”

The Ireland squad, management and back room team were hosted by the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Tánaiste Mícheál Martin, along with Catherina Martin (Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media) and Thomas Byrne (Minister of State for Sport and Physical Education).

About Macdara Ferris

Macdara Ferris is a contributor since 2007 to Hoops Scene (Shamrock Rovers' match day programme) and is the co-author of two books on Shamrock Rovers - 'Tallaght Time: Shamrock Rovers 2009 to 2012' (with Karl … View Full Profile