Mayo County Council congratulate Caelan Doris on captaining Ireland

MAYO County Council officials confirmed they are looking to set a date for a civic reception for Irish International rugby player Caelan Doris.

A vote of congratulations was extended to Irish rugby International and Mayo native Caelen Doris who captained Ireland for the first time in Andy Farrell's side's 36-0 Six Nations victory over Italy in Dublin on Sunday.

This was the first time that a Mayo man has led the Irish team and local councillors congratulated the Lacken native for the honour he brought his county and community.

Last spring, the council passed a motion calling for a civic reception to be bestowed on Caelan Doris for winning the 2023 Six Nations and Grand Slam with Ireland along with fellow Ballina rugby club players Fiachna Barrett and Harry West who won the Grand Slam with the Ireland U-20 team.

Speaking at the monthly meeting of Mayo County Council on Monday, Martina Hughes, Head of Corporate Development & Communications confirmed that the council have been in contact with the three players regarding a civic reception and they were looking to arrange a date which suits them all.

Ms Hughes said that there was difficulty in securing a date to suit Caelan Doris because of his rugby commitments in the last couple of months but confirmed that the civic reception will be afforded to them.

Killala-based Fine Gael councillor Jarlath Munnelly was the first to congratulate Doris on captaining the Irish side saying it was a fantastic achievement and honour for him and it was important the council marked the occasion.

His colleagues in the Ballina Municipal District all echoed his sentiments saying that it was a fantastic achievement for him and his family and community.

Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Cllr Michael Loftus said that listening to Doris speak following the match he could see captaining his country meant so much to him.

“At a time when there were some negative comments about Mayo in the media in the last week I would just like to concur what Jarlath said and congratulate Caelan Doris on being Mayo's first captain of the Irish team.

“He brought great honour to his family and community and especially to the Ballina Rugby club and all their coaches. He has put his heart and soul into the game as was evident in his face after the game...with the amount of blood on his face,” he said.