A dhaoine uaisle,
Is mór an onóir dom fáilte mhóir a chur romhaibh uilig inniu chuig Cluiche Ceannais Chonnacht.
It is an honour to welcome you to Umbro Park, Castlebar today — the home of Mayo Football — for the Connacht Men's Shield Final 2025/26.
I would especially like to welcome the players, management teams, club officials and supporters of the competing clubs, Cloonfad United and Ballymote Celtic F.C.
I wish to thank the Mayo League for providing their magnificent facilities for the finals and to both thank and congratulate all involved for the excellent way the facilities have been prepared for today's showpiece final.
A special word of thanks must go to the Connacht FA Provincial Administrator Gerry Tully for all his efforts in ensuring the smooth running of these and all other Connacht FA competitions this season, and to all the local league officers for their cooperation in the running of these prestigious provincial competitions. Thank you also to the officers and members of the Connacht Football Association for their valued contribution to our game. Míle buíochas to all the volunteers and sponsors throughout the province for their continued support in promoting the game of association football in Connacht.
Our appreciation as always must be afforded to the match officials who today are from Mayo for the Men's Shield Final. Without them we would not have any games.
I also welcome members of the media, to whom we are thankful for their help and cooperation in the promotion of our games both locally and nationally.
I trust everyone involved will enjoy the day and ask that all will uphold the principles of Fair Play and Respect.
Best of luck to both teams — go n-éirí a t-ádh libh.
