Achill proudly takes centre stage at World Cup Qualifier

PROUD MOMENT  The Achill Pipe Band with the Ireland and Austria teams and mascots ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qualifier Group D match between Republic of Ireland and Austria at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.  Pic: Cody Glenn/Sportsfile

Pipe Band and Rovers star at the Aviva

Cory Kilbane

When AmhrΡn na bhFiann rang loudly out at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday evening, it was truly a moment to remember for a proud group of Achill people who will recall the occasion for a long time to come.
It was a spine tingling moment to see the 32 members of Achill Pipe band and the underage boys and girls of Achill Rovers take to the field on Sunday evening ahead of Ireland’s crucial World Cup qualifying match against Austria.
As silence descended on the Aviva Stadium in wait of the National Anthem, the Achill Pipe band tuned up, rose to the occasion and delivered a performance nothing short of magnificent.
“It would be an understatement to say it’s a massive honour, without question it’s the experience of a lifetime for everyone involved,” said PRO of Achill Pipe band Joe Mulligan.
“You don’t often get a chance to play in front of crowds like this, something on this scale in the history of the band is unparalleled,” he said.
“We want to bring Achill’s pipe band tradition to as wide an audience as possible, that’s our goal, that’s what we are striving to do and that’s what we’re succeeding in doing to a certain degree and today has been another step on that journey,” he added.
On the back of their Fleadh Cheoil victory last year the band has had a memorable few months and their young members are flourishing in the limelight.
Pipe Major of Achill Pipe Band Liam Dever told The Mayo News: “The youth are really coming through the ranks and are deservedly getting these opportunities”.
“It’s all about bringing them through, we’ve put in a lot of practice, it’s one of the biggest gigs we’ve ever done” he said.
“It’s been a huge day for the organisation, the most exposure the band has ever had over our 10 year history. It’s a great opportunity for the youth this will personally probably be the highpoint of my piping career to date, to lead the band out onto the pitch,” he added.
Rovers’ Return
For Achill Rovers also, it was the second time in the clubs history that they have had the opportunity to provide the ball boys for a World Cup Qualifying match.
“It’s the eighth official visit that we have had to the Aviva since winning the FAI Club of the Year Award, it gives the players great pride in the jersey and in the club, it gives parents and people who support us the pride also,” said Séan Molloy of Achill Rovers.
“It was a very proud moment for anyone looking on. Two high achieving organisations have been recognised on a national level today, I had a lump in my throat when the pipe band went out there,” he said.
“It was a great opportunity for the people of Achill to celebrate. It was a reward for hard work and achieving, no club gets the opportunity to provide the ball boys unless they have achieved something special,” he added.
“Achill Rovers last provided the ball boys back in October 1993 and the ball boys who were there that day still talk about the game and the players they saw as if it was yesterday. That’s what it is going to mean to these children that were here today, they really are the lucky ones,” he said.
Without doubt, pride will be soaring throughout the Achill community after Sunday’s magnificent displays and representations from Achill Pipe Band and Achill Rovers.