Carrick Rovers became the latest club in the country to receive the FAI Club Mark One Star award and had the award presented to them by Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny at an official reception this week.

The club are just the 43rd club in the country and the first in Monaghan to achieve the accolade. The FAI Club Mark is an award based best practice in the governance, management and administration of a football club. The One Star Award is recognition that the club has become an official FAI Player Development Centre, in line with the FAI’s Player Development Plan.

Catherine Martin TD, Heather Humphreys TD and Matt Carthy TD were also in attendance and credited the club's incredible community work, the development of a strong girls section with a women's senior team planned for next season and the continued improvement of facilitates with work ongoing at a second site for the club.

"I'm delighted for everyone involved in Carrick Rovers, they're really setting a fantastic standard here in Monaghan," said FAI Development Officer John Crudden.

"Carrick Rovers have been at the forefront of football in Monaghan and are a fantastic example of what can be done when active club members and volunteers work together for the benefit of the local community as a whole.

"To see the girls section to go from strength to strength over recent years has been fantastic especially considering the recent tragedy the club suffered with the loss of young Aoibhe Byrne, with her parents Olivia and Gary in attendance at the event this week. Our thoughts continue to go out to her family and friends.

"I look forward to continuing to work with Carrick and developing standards each year to make the game as strong as possible here in Monaghan."

"It was great to be at the official reception for the One Star Club Mark award with Carrick Rovers this week and congratulations to Chairman David McSherry and all club officials for this recognition," said FAI Grassroots Director Ger McDermott.

"I'd like to thank Stephen Kenny for his attendance which is a fantastic boost to all involved at the club as he prepares for the upcoming UEFA Nations League matches against Scotland and Armenia later this month.

"It was also brilliant to see the support of Catherine Martin, Heather Humphreys and Matt Carthy at the event as government support is so crucial for the development of the game and the relationship between government and the FAI has never been stronger.

"Finally, I'd like to thank FAI Development Officer John Crudden for his fantastic work in Monaghan, and Club Mark Programme Coordinator Barry McGann and Regional Manager Trevor Scanlon who continue to drive standards for the association across grassroots football."