Avenue United are the latest club to complete the FAI Club Mark.

Avenue United was established on April 12th, 1983, by founding members David Connellan, Anthony McMahon, Sean Downes and Gerard O'Grady who were all from the Marian Avenue & Steele's Terrace area of Ennis.

In the club's first season in the Clare & District Soccer League (Div.2 1983-84) the Avenue panel comprised exclusively of players from Marian Avenue & Steele's Terrace and remarkably included seven sets of brothers: Caseys, Mounseys, Purtills, McMahons, Connellans, Lyons and Guilfoyles. They captured the Div.2 League and Shield titles without losing a single match and in the subsequent season (1984-85) added the Div.1 League & Shield trophies - in the process creating a record of going 42 matches without defeat.

With promotion to the Premier League in 1985-86, they went on to the capture Munster Junior Cup and an historic 3-in-a-row Haughey Cups, concluding with a first ever ‘Grand Slam’ of Premier League, Shield & Haughy Cups in ’87-’88 season.

In 1990 Avenue United became the only Clare club ever to reach the FAI Junior Cup Final after a great campaign. In the Dalymount Park final, they were beaten by a superb Cherry Orchard side, 2-0.

Avenue continued to grow both on and off the pitch and extended its teams by adding adult B, Youths and multiple teams at all under-age levels to where it is today with a player membership of 470 which includes a very successful Academy, coaching & developing up to 120 kids at 5-10 age groups.

In 2008, the club celebrated their 25th Anniversary with a series of events including the publication of a book on the history of the club by local author Ollie Byrnes.

In 2012 Avenue United purchased their own grounds at Roslevan, Ennis, on the Tulla Rd just behind the Roslevan Business & Retail Centre. Since then the club has developed it over the years into a top-class facility including two state-of-the-art pitches, a training area and a modern club house including recently renovated general hall and dressing rooms.

Club Chairman Gearoid Mannion acknowledges the hard-working committee members Helene Griffith (Schoolboys Secretary) and Enda Meaney (Club Development Officer) for all their efforts in achieving what is effectively a Quality Assurance Mark for football clubs. “Helene and Enda have brought the club standards up to where they need to be for the modern day”. “So much has changed for the better over the years, particularly in relation to Child Welfare & Safeguarding, Risk Assessment and the need to have correct Policies & Procedures in place.

Gearoid also acknowledges the tireless efforts of a dedicated committee, ground maintenance team, the Academy Director, Anne Casey and of course the invaluable dedication from the coaching staff who make such a difference to the youth of Clare.

The FAI Club Mark is free and optional for clubs and aims to:

• Improve the management of clubs ‘off the field’
• Establish and promote best practice
• Empower and support clubs
• Recognise and reward clubs for achieving high standards
• Increase a club’s capacity to operate effectively and grow football in communities throughout Ireland.

If your club is interested in learning more about the FAI Club Mark please complete this short Registration Form.