Dundalk FC hosting two family walks at Oriel Park for Not Around Us vaping awareness campaign
As part of the campaign—sponsored by Healthy Ireland in partnership with the HSE and Louth County Council—Dundalk FC will create a new smoke-free zone in Oriel Park. This zone will be located behind the town-end goals, where many children gather during home games. The club believes this is the most impactful area to prioritise in creating a healthier, more family-friendly environment.
Currently on match days, junior local soccer teams are playing mini half-time games in front of the home crowd as part of this Healthy Ireland initiative.
'The kids are immensely enjoying the experience of getting a game in Oriel in front of a large crowd and we love the engagement we are getting back from the kids. It brings a real excitement to the matchday experience. We hope that everyone will support the new initiative,' Orla Crilly of The 1903 Dundalk FC Supporters Group said.
Nita Whelan, Head of Operations at Dundalk FC, said the club was proud to support the Not Around Us campaign and take practical steps to protect the health of their younger fans.
"Oriel Park is a family venue, and we want to ensure it's a safe and welcoming space for all. This new initiative is a small but important change in how we promote healthy behaviours within our community.'
'We would like to thank Orla of The 1903 for their continued support in helping make these initiatives possible.
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Irish Independent
12 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Dundalk FC hosting two family walks at Oriel Park for Not Around Us vaping awareness campaign
Families are invited to Oriel Park on Saturday, August 16 at 2pm and Saturday, August 23 at 11am to take part in a short, lapped walk around the pitch. Following the walk, there will be free healthy refreshments and an opportunity to meet and greet players from the Dundalk squad. The walk is open to all ages and abilities. As part of the campaign—sponsored by Healthy Ireland in partnership with the HSE and Louth County Council—Dundalk FC will create a new smoke-free zone in Oriel Park. This zone will be located behind the town-end goals, where many children gather during home games. The club believes this is the most impactful area to prioritise in creating a healthier, more family-friendly environment. Currently on match days, junior local soccer teams are playing mini half-time games in front of the home crowd as part of this Healthy Ireland initiative. 'The kids are immensely enjoying the experience of getting a game in Oriel in front of a large crowd and we love the engagement we are getting back from the kids. It brings a real excitement to the matchday experience. We hope that everyone will support the new initiative,' Orla Crilly of The 1903 Dundalk FC Supporters Group said. Nita Whelan, Head of Operations at Dundalk FC, said the club was proud to support the Not Around Us campaign and take practical steps to protect the health of their younger fans. "Oriel Park is a family venue, and we want to ensure it's a safe and welcoming space for all. This new initiative is a small but important change in how we promote healthy behaviours within our community.' 'We would like to thank Orla of The 1903 for their continued support in helping make these initiatives possible.
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Irish Independent
It was all about ‘belief' says Dundalk's Naomh Moninne manager Aiden Carter
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Irish Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
‘Shelbourne defender teases huge prize on offer in crunch Euro clash
Paddy Barrett says Shelbourne's players are just 90 minutes away from a 'life changing' experience. The League of Ireland champions can guarantee league phase football by finishing the job they started last week against Croatian giants HNK Rijeka, when they secured a shock 2-1 win in the away leg. The winners of the tie will progress to the Europa League play-offs against either PAOK of Greece or Austrian side Wolfberg, with the latter holding a 2-0 lead from last week. And the losers of that play-off tie would be parachuted straight into the Conference League proper. Barrett was a member of the Dundalk side that made it to the Europa League group stages in 2016. He is eager for a return to elite European competition. 'Obviously back then I was a lot younger,' said the 32-year-old, who went on to have spells in the USA (FC Cincinnati and Indy Eleven), and Cambodia (PKR Savy Rieng) before returning to Ireland with St Patrick's Athletic and then Shels. 'But it was an amazing experience that time, and it would be more amazing now that I'm more of a leader, older, a more mature player than I was back then. 'I had an amazing time back then but I want to recreate those memories again this time with Shelbourne. It's something that I'm driven to do at this club. Click this link or scan the QR code to receive the latest League of Ireland news and top stories from the Irish Mirror. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice . 'Obviously the plan is to get to the group stages in European competition and I think it would be amazing to do so.' Dundalk became the second Irish club to compete in the group or league stages, after Shamrock Rovers five years earlier. They became the first Irish club to earn a point (away to AZ Alkmaar) and then a win (at home to Maccabi Tel Aviv) in the group stages, but lost out narrowly on progression to the knockouts. Paddy Barrett celebrates Dundalk's win over BATE Borisov (Image: INPHO/Ciaran Culligan) The Lilywhites returned to the Europa League in 2020 when they faced Arsenal, Molde and Rapid Vienna. Since then, Shamrock Rovers have appeared in the Conference League proper in 2022 and again last season, when they made history by progressing to the last-32. So, progress for Shels would be another huge step for Irish football, and a sign that clubs here could hope to compete on a regular basis at that level. 'We know the task ahead,' Barrett said. 'It's obviously not something that clubs from Ireland do year in, year out. 'But when it comes along, when the opportunity does come along, it's amazing and we know what's at stake, and you have to appreciate what's at stake, because these are life changing experiences, that you can travel and you can play against top quality opposition, and it's great to be a part of. 'It's life-changing experiences as in you are playing against top quality players, top quality teams, and you're playing against unbelievable fan bases like our own here. 'These are the experiences that you want as a player. So it's great to be a part of that.' Not that Barrett has been consumed by memories of the 2016 run in the build-up to tonight's game. 'To be honest I don't think back about any games. If that was the case I'd be sitting here all day thinking about all the mistakes I've made throughout my career,' he said. 'But look, it's all about (tonight) and it's one that we're looking forward to.' There are elements of his previous experiences that he can share with teammates ahead of the visit of Rijeka. Nine years ago it was BATE Borisov that stood between Stephen Kenny's Dundalk and the group stages - and on that occasion Barrett and Co were a goal down coming into the second-leg in Tallaght Stadium. He recalled the tension inside the ground ahead of that game - but tension is something that could work in Shelbourne's favour tonight. The longer they hold onto their first-leg lead, the more anxious their opponents will be. However, Rijeka welcome Toni Fruk back from suspension. The 24-year-old has recently been called into the Croatia squad, and is tipped to be the long-term replacement for Luka Modric in the international side. 'There was tension but it was also confidence as well,' said Barrett of the BATE game, which Dundalk won 3-0. 'We knew the quality of team that we had at the time, we were unbelievable, we had an unbelievable squad and we felt the tension from the ground as well. 'But once that first goal went in I think we knew ourselves as a full team, as a squad, even the staff, we knew we were going to go on and push on and win that game, and we did.' Acknowledging that tonight would have a different dynamic, with Shels defending, rather than chasing, he said: 'There's still a big game, there's a lot at stake. 'We know the quality of opposition, we know what they're like. We obviously got a feel of them last week, but again we just need to take our own game to them. 'We've worked on things this week that we want to put to them and put our best foot forward, as the gaffer said, and have a right crack off them.' Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email .
