Club thanks Gardaí for their work on match nights
Drogheda United Chairperson Joanna Byrne and Board Member Niamh Leonard visited Drogheda Garda Station yesterday to present Superintendent Andrew Watters and Sergeant Mick Geoghegan with a signed jersey in thanks for the work of An Garda Síochana on match nights throughout the 2023 season.
Under the watch of Byrne in her first year in the role of Chair of the Club, Drog’s endeavoured down the route of an increased Garda presence at matches and for the first time ever availed of additional paid Gardaí.
This was paramount for Byrne who wanted to ensure that the unprecedented number of fans attending matches this season had sufficient crowd control thus making it a family-friendly enjoyable atmosphere for all.
Byrne has been on the record many times throughout the year thanking the Gardaí for their commitment to Drogheda United and recently singled out Superintendent Watters at the Club’s fans forum in the TLT in October, crediting him with “building a legacy that will stand the test of time in advancing community policing through sport, and the familiarisation of the Gardaí with the youngsters following the local League of Ireland Club is paving the way to breaking down many barriers between Gardaí and Drogheda youngsters.
As a local Councillor in Drogheda, Byrne is only too aware of the importance of Community Policing in the town and is delighted that Drogs are playing a pivotal part in strengthening relationships between their fans and the local authorities.
“The Gardaí have been tremendous this season in assisting our match-night team led by Niamh Leonard, and we hope as a club to build further on that relationship again next season” Joanna said.
“There’s not many clubs who have their local Superintendent attending and policing our matches week in week out and this is testament to the commitment of Andrew Watters and his team to Community Policing in the town.
“I think it has been very beneficial to both the Club and indeed to The Gardaí and on behalf of all involved in DUFC I want to extend great thanks To Supt Watters and Sergeant Mick Geoghegan for their leadership and indeed their commitment to supporting football in Drogheda.
“There is a great rapport being built between the guards on the beat and the fans and that’s even been evident in the off season too when the Gardaí were the first to land to Weavers Park to support the sleepout being held by The Ultra’s last week for Charity.
“Together we have a great opportunity to strengthen bonds and keep building on these relations, and this will remain a priority for me and for the club going forward”.
