Dunboyne AFC were confirmed as the AVIVA Club of the Year for 2009 at the Hillgrove Hotel, Monaghan on Friday, July 3rd. The club were presented with a cheque for 5,000 euro along with the prestigous Club of the Year plaque. John Delaney also made the surprise announcement that Brazilian football legend, Pele, will meet club representatives later this year.
Dunboyne had been chosen as the AVIVA Club of the Month winners for March and along with the other seven monthly prize winners were invited to Monaghan to take part in the AVIVA Club of the Year competition.
All eight clubs had already gone through a rigorous selection process and were chosen from a large number of entrants to reach the Club of the Year stage. In Monaghan the clubs then decorated a specially designed booth showcasing themselves to the FAI and the family of football, they were also asked to make a brief presentation to the AVIVA Club of the Year jury panel where they explained why they would be worthy winners of the award.
The competition for this year’s award was of an extremely high standard with Salthill Devon, Skerries Town, Tullamore Town, Cootehill Harps, Firhouse Carmel, Esker Celtic and Strand Celtic also represented. After extensive deliberations, Dunboyne AFC were selected as the winning club.
The club took great pride in welcoming a true sporting legend in November 2009 when the great Pele officially opened our grounds. This was a great honour for the club and reflected recognition by the FAI in acknowledging the club’s achievements in promoting soccer in the Meath area.