Carrick Town AFC Chairperson Brendan Lowe has welcomed the appointment of an FAI Development Officer in Co. Leitrim and has commended Leitrim Council County for the decision to part-fund the appointment.Commenting on the appointment, and criticism leveled at Leitrim County Council by Leitrim GAA, Mr. Lowe said that adequate funding for soccer in the county was long overdue, and that there was no need for any other sporting body to feel threatened by the appointment.

“Carrick Town AFC has been providing a valuable community resource to County Leitrim for over 30 years, and to date, the club still doesn’t have its own pitch.”

“This has consistently inhibited development and prevented the club from availing of grants available under the Sports Capital Programme; this programme provided €691,000 for sports clubs in County Leitrim in 2007, of which not a single cent went into soccer at any level.”

“Carrick Town AFC’s own application, for €30,000 for the provision of mobile floodlights, was refused on the basis that the club did not own or have a long term lease on a pitch. As a result, it is not possible to conduct training for underage teams during the winter months.”

“The appointment of a Development Officer will be of great value in situations like this, and means a great deal in terms of securing the viability of soccer clubs in County Leitrim.”

“It has consistently been our experience that young people in Carrick On Shannon are interested in playing multiple sports, and we welcome any investment in sport and sporting facilities for young people in County Leitrim.”