Club pays tribute to loyal member

The new Christy Hughes Centre of Excellence at St Mochta’s FC which includes a new clubhouse and astro-turf training pitches, was officially opened recently.
The centre honours St Mochta’s stalwart Christy Hughes, who has been described as the backbone of the club.
Founded in 1949, the club provides sporting facilities for over 350 young people in Clonsilla and the greater Blanchardstown area, as well as two adult teams competing at Leinster Senior level with an active membership of over 500 members.
Tanaiste Joan Burton and Health Minister Leo Varadkar joined members of the Hughes family in cutting the ribbon at the official ceremony.
A commemorative plaque was also presented to the family.
The club has been awarded €68,651 for new floodlights as part of the 2016 round of sports capital grants.
A club spokesperson said the official opening of the new complex was an historic day.
“The Christy Hughes Centre of Excellence [is] named in honour of our former chairman Christy Hughes. Christy served the club with distinction for over 50 years. It’s an incredible amount of service that Christy gave to St Mochta’s FC, and the community of Clonsilla and beyond,” said the spokesperson.
He paid tribute to the club committee which has worked tirelessly to deliver the new facilities for present and future players.
“The plaque presented to the Hughes family will be proudly displayed on a permanent basis in our complex.
“Thanks to all our supporters and members who have supported the club for many years. With new floodlights to be installed next, the future is very bright for St Mochta’s FC in more ways than one,” said the spokesperson.
Speaking at the opening, the Tanaiste paid tribute to the members of the Nulty family, who are heavily involved in the club and others for the work they have put in to building up the club.
“Everyone involved in the club can be very proud of how much it has developed, both in success on the field and in the fantastic new facilities on the club grounds. I am delighted to see the sports capital grant the club received last year put to use in astro turf pitches, which are busy with young children learning football skills,” she said.
She looked forward to seeing the floodlights installed over the coming months.
“The club is very much the heart of the local community, and the activities here at St Mochta’s have a very significant benefit in terms of fitness, health and wellbeing for young people from the area,” she said.
Minister Varadkar said it had been a privilege for him to be associated with St Mochta’s as a local representative.
“It’s an honour to be asked to cut the ribbon and unveil the official name of the new facility.
“I want to thank Noel Crawford for welcoming me, club chair Shane Nulty and treasurer Tina Darcy,” he said.
He added that 67 years after it was founded, St Mochta’s was now the top club in northwest Dublin.
“You’ve produced two senior internationals and numerous professional players for clubs in Ireland and the UK. But I know the club can look forward to even greater success in the years to come,” he said.