Templeogue United Newsletter - June 2026
As another football season draws to a close, June gave us the perfect opportunity to reflect on everything that makes Templeogue United such a special club. While there were plenty of memorable results on the pitch, this month was about far more than football. It was about community, friendship, inclusion, volunteers and families coming together to celebrate another fantastic season.
Without question, the heart of June was our annual Mini World Cup. This year's tournament carried the theme "Play for Eve", a tribute to Eve Hardy as she continues her courageous battle. Those three words appeared proudly on every customised Mini World Cup jersey worn throughout the tournament and quickly became much more than a slogan. They represented everything our club stands for – supporting one another, celebrating together and remembering that football has the power to bring people together in extraordinary ways.
Honouring Our Templeogue United Family
Before the tournament kicked off, we were delighted to unveil the eleven trophies that would be contested throughout this year's Mini World Cup.
Each trophy bears the name of a person who has made a lasting contribution to Templeogue United over many years. Some are still actively involved in the club today, while others are fondly remembered for the legacy they left behind. It was a fitting way to recognise the people who have helped shape Templeogue United into the club it is today and to remind our youngest players that they are part of something much bigger than a football tournament.
Football For All Begins
June also marked another significant milestone with the launch of our Football For All programme.
Our first session took place in the indoor astros and attracted an excellent turnout, with lots of smiling faces and plenty of enthusiasm from everyone involved. It was particularly heartening to see children proudly wearing jerseys from clubs across Ireland and beyond, all coming together simply to enjoy football.
A special word of thanks goes to David Nugent (The Kids Coach) for giving up his time to attend our opening session, helping our volunteers and ensuring we got the programme off to the best possible start. We are excited to continue growing this initiative over the months and years ahead.
Celebrating Success On The Pitch
While the Mini World Cup dominated the month, there was still plenty of football to celebrate.
Our Under-12 Premier Girls hosted a fantastic representative tournament over the June Bank Holiday weekend, welcoming teams from Galway, Kildare, Longford, Kilkenny, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan and Cork to Tymon Park. Hosting over 150 of Ireland's most promising young players was a wonderful occasion for the club, and our own girls capped off an excellent day by winning the Shield Final thanks to Beibhinn Healy's decisive header.
Congratulations also to our 2018 Boys, who travelled to Cork to compete in Ringmahon Rangers' 75th Anniversary Tournament. Winning all six matches while keeping six clean sheets made for an unforgettable day for the players, coaches and parents.
We also recognised the tremendous achievements of both our Under-12 and Under-17 teams, who narrowly finished runners-up in their respective DDSL leagues following closely contested playoff matches. While both teams fell just short, they represented Templeogue United with enormous pride throughout the season.
Our player pathway also continued to shine, with six members of our Under-12 Premier Girls selected for St Patrick's Athletic's Emerging Talent Programme. Congratulations to the players involved on this well-deserved recognition.
Celebrating Our Players
Our social media channels continued to showcase the wonderful football being played across the club throughout June.
Our popular Hat-trick Hero and Goal of the Week features highlighted some outstanding individual performances and moments of quality from players across all age groups.
Congratulations to Luca Tully, Jack Behan, Rishann, Sean Lalor, Liam Faulkner, Finn Boyle, Sam O'Neill and Callum Jones, whose goals and performances featured throughout the month. These moments continue to demonstrate the talent, enjoyment and enthusiasm that can be found across every corner of Templeogue United.
For the first time this season, we also introduced our Goal of the Year competition, inviting members of the public to vote from five outstanding finalists: Conor Keenan, Ruby Prendergast, Darby Kirwan, Jack Behan and Jonathan Leach. The response was tremendous, with hundreds of supporters casting their votes.
The Mini World Cup Gets Underway
The Mini World Cup officially kicked off on 8 June and immediately lived up to expectations.
The opening day brought fantastic crowds, great football and plenty of smiling faces around Tymon Park. The excitement continued into Day Two when RTÉ cameras visited the club, interviewing several of our young players before featuring Templeogue United on the national news the following day. It was wonderful exposure for our club and highlighted the positive impact grassroots football continues to have within our community.
The colourful Play for Eve jerseys became an instant success, creating a fantastic atmosphere throughout the tournament while reinforcing the message that defined this year's competition.
Progress Beyond The Pitch
June also saw several important developments away from football.
Following many months of work behind the scenes, Templeogue United was officially presented with its FAI Club Mark plaque by our Football Development Officer, Robbie De Courcy. This accreditation reflects the enormous effort made by so many volunteers to ensure the club continues to meet the highest standards of governance, safeguarding and club development.
We were equally delighted to officially open our newly covered terrace beside the clubhouse. The addition of the new awning means members, players, coaches and supporters can enjoy the facilities throughout the year and represents another significant improvement to our club grounds.
Our Over-35s also travelled to Cork to take part in the Paul Foley Memorial Match against College Corinthians. It proved to be another memorable occasion, bringing together former players and old friends while celebrating the spirit of grassroots football.
Family Day – The Perfect Finale
The Mini World Cup reached its conclusion on Family Day on 21 June.
Following two weeks of fantastic football, every final was played before players proudly received their medals and trophies in front of family and friends. We were honoured to welcome Pamela Kearns, Mayor of South Dublin County Council and a long-time friend of Templeogue United, who presented the awards and shared some wonderful reflections on her own connection with the club.
Family Day also included the annual Noel Dunne Memorial Match, one of the most special traditions in our calendar. Coaches, former players and friends once again took to the pitch to honour Noel's memory, with members of the Dunne family presenting the Noel Dunne Cup after another enjoyable contest.
Another new addition this year was the inaugural Coaches' Mini World Cup, which proved to be a fantastic success. Played in glorious weather, it raised valuable funds for the Eve Hardy while reminding everyone that competitive instincts never disappear—although there were certainly a few sore legs in the days that followed!
Celebrating Those Who Make The Difference
Our Annual Club Awards once again recognised the people whose contributions make Templeogue United such a special place.
Our inaugural Goal of the Year award was won by Ruby Prendergast following her superb strike against Bohemians in the SFAI Cup semi-final. Ruby received almost 700 public votes and was presented with a €100 Lifestyle Sports voucher, kindly sponsored by Graham Buckley of Buckley Real Estate.
Congratulations also to Clive Coleman, who deservedly received the Coach of the Year award following another exceptional season with our Under-12 Premier Boys. Clive's commitment and leadership have been instrumental in the continued development of his players, and we wish him and the team every success as they move into Under-13 Premier football.
The prestigious Tiernan O'Neill Award was presented to Anna Redmond, captain of our Under-12 Premier Girls. The award recognises not only excellence on the pitch but also determination, resilience and character—qualities Anna demonstrated throughout a remarkable season.
Finally, congratulations to our Club Person of the Year, Barry McCarthy.
Since taking on the role of Head of Communications, Barry has transformed the way Templeogue United tells its story. From match reports and player features to volunteer spotlights, Mini World Cup coverage and daily social media updates, the quality and consistency of our communications have reached an entirely new level.
One of the clearest signs of that success came during June when our Instagram page surpassed 5,000 followers—a fantastic milestone that reflects not only the growth of our online community but also Barry's creativity, commitment and countless hours of work behind the scenes.
On behalf of everyone at Templeogue United, thank you Barry for everything you continue to do for our club.
Looking Ahead
As another season comes to a close, it is worth taking a moment to reflect on what we have achieved together.
Whether you are a player pulling on a Templeogue United jersey for the first time, a volunteer opening the gates on a Saturday morning, a coach giving up evenings to help young players develop, a referee, a committee member, or a parent cheering from the sidelines, every one of you plays a part in making this club what it is.
June reminded us exactly what Templeogue United is all about. Football may bring us together, but it is our people who make this club truly special.
On a personal note, this season has been particularly special for my family as it marked my son Jonah's first year in the Templeogue United Academy. Having been involved with this club for many years—as a player, coach, committee member and now Chairman—it has been an incredibly proud moment to watch the next generation of my own family begin their journey with the Club. Standing on the sidelines as a parent has reminded me exactly why so many volunteers give their time so generously: to create lifelong memories and opportunities for children to enjoy football, make friends and grow in confidence.
As we look ahead to next season, there is every reason to be excited. More teams are competing at the highest levels, new teams continue to join our club, our facilities are improving year after year, and our community continues to grow stronger. None of this happens by accident—it happens because of the incredible dedication of our volunteers, coaches, parents and supporters.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed throughout another fantastic season. We hope you all enjoy a well-earned summer break, and we look forward to welcoming you back to Tymon Park for another exciting year for Templeogue United.
Thank you for your continued support, and as always...
#WeAreTUFC
Gavin Jones
Chairman, Templeogue United FC
