Grassroots Champions Celebrated As Northern Ireland Host Luxembourg

The winners of this year’s McDonald’s Irish FA Grassroots Football Awards were welcomed to the Clearer Twist National Stadium at Windsor Park for a half-time lap of honour during Northern Ireland’s World Cup Qualifier against Luxembourg.

The Green and White Army were in fine voice all evening as Northern Ireland triumphed 1-0 on the night. 

The loyal Northern Ireland fans were upstanding and provided huge support of the grassroots award winners, who all give so much of themselves year-on-year to make grassroots football flourish in Northern Ireland.

The winners of this year’s McDonald’s Irish FA Grassroots Football Awards are:

• Berlin Swifts and Swiftettes (Club of the Year)
• McDonald’s Boucher Road (Football Restaurant of the Year)
• Mia Patterson, Damolly FC (Young Volunteer of the Year)
• Jonny Cavanagh, Claudy Futsal (Futsal Award)
• Grainne Pimley, St Malachy’s Old Boys Youth (Volunteer of the Year)
• Peter Leonard, Rosario (Football for All Award)
• Clare McIlwaine, Crusaders Strikers (Wes Gregg Coach of the Year)
• Sammy McNeill, Harry Gregg Foundation Youth League (People’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to Grassroots Football)

The annual McDonald’s Irish FA Grassroots Football Awards, which have run for over 20 years in Northern Ireland, recognise the unbelievable work and commitment of football clubs and volunteers who give up their time and make a long-lasting impact on young people and communities across Northern Ireland.

Former Northern Ireland captain and record appearance holder Steven Davis and Northern Ireland goalkeeping hero Pat Jennings, who is a longstanding McDonald’s Fun Football Ambassador, supported the awards this year.

Delivering a message to the winners and finalists at the awards ceremony in October, Steven Davis hailed the impact that the grassroots game in Northern Ireland had on him as he embarked on what became an incredibly successful career at the top level of football.

“The important work being carried out by McDonald’s and the Irish FA ensures that the game continues to thrive at every level, and that all young people in Northern Ireland, regardless of their background or ability, have the opportunity to play football,” he added.

“The dedication and time that volunteers give every week across the season is amazing, and without them grassroots football simply wouldn’t exist. Congratulations to everyone here this evening.”

McDonald’s Fun Football Ambassador Pat Jennings also heaped praise on the award winners and finalists.

He commented: “Having been a Fun Football Ambassador for almost 20 years now, I have witnessed first-hand the significant impact that McDonald’s Fun Football has had, and continues to have, on the lives of young people in Northern Ireland.

“In the time I have spent as an ambassador, I have loved travelling across Northern Ireland meeting the volunteers who make it happen for the kids. It’s taken me right back to where football started for me.

“I have also seen the support that the McDonald’s Franchisees across Northern Ireland have provided to local grassroots football clubs, by providing kits and equipment or by hosting community events. It’s great to see.”

McDonald’s Franchisee Paddy Cusack said McDonald’s is passionate about feeding and fostering communities and supporting local families, adding that its commitment to grassroots football is a great way for the company to demonstrate that.

He also pointed out: “The Grassroots Football Awards give us a great opportunity to celebrate our local grassroots football heroes, who are the beating heart of the game we all love here in Northern Ireland. Well done to the winners.”

In 2022 McDonald’s launched its new Fun Football programme which set out to provide over one million 5–11-year-olds with the opportunity to enjoy free football coaching across the UK by 2026.

The programme is set to deliver over 10.5 million hours of free Fun Football by 2026, making it the largest grassroots participation programme in the UK. It is delivered in collaboration with the Irish FA, Scottish FA, The Football Association of Wales and a network of national coaching providers in England.