AIB BETTER IRELAND AWARD 2000 

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In pioneering the twinning process between Carlow County Council and Banbridge District Council in County Down, Jim Kearney County Secretary Carlow County Council could only have hoped for the success that his foresight and joint effort with Mike Reith of Banbridge DC through recent years would have in bringing together Rathfriland Rangers, Dromore Juniors and Banbridge Town Football clubs with the Carlow and District Football League.
Through these good offices the League was requested to explore the possibility of developing sporting linkages with similar organisations in the Banbridge area. Contact was initially made between John Ingram (current Chairman of Banbridge District Council) and Dan Mc Donnell of the Carlow League and during the course of the following months arrangements were put in place for the Rathfriland club to visit Carlow on 10th October 1998 for a challenge match, which was played in the Community School facilities in Tullow.  Carlow, under the guidance of newly appointed manager Gerry Bickerstaffe incidentally won the game 3-1.  By this time officials from both Clubs had got to know each other as they enjoyed the ebb and flow of the game which was followed by an reception at the Seven Oaks Hotel where the Rathfriland visitors, including Seamus Doyle SDLP Chairman of Banbridge DC, were officially and warmly welcomed to Carlow by their friends,
including Jim Townsend then Chairman of Carlow County Council.
Later that night the Rathfriland players were introduced to the broad range of social delights of Carlow by the Carlow team and by all accounts had a wonderful time bogeying the night away.  Certainly the feedback in the Seven Oaks Hotel the following morning was very positive and such was the bond of friendship that had developed between all concerned the Rathfriland party departed for home much later than expected but many were intent on returning at the first opportunity.
Thus the foundation for many return and continuing visits for various functions, occasions and festivities were successfully put in place.
Moreover the Carlow League gladly accepted an invitation from John Ingram for a party of Youth and Junior footballers to play challenge matches in Rathfriland during a reciprocal visit to the Banbridge area during the following May.  This developed into a cross border/community initiative where the sporting and social activities involved interaction between youths with different socialisations and cultures enjoying a harmonious understanding and acceptance of their differences.   
The smooth and successful functioning of these occasions was attributable to the close liaison between Carlow County Council, Banbridge District Council, the Seven Oaks Hotel the Football clubs and especially the efforts of Noel Jordan, John Coughlin, Seamie Payne and Dan Mc Donnell Executive Committee members of the League.
The official twinning ceremonies linking Carlow County Council and Banbridge District took place in May 1999 and sandwiched between the ceremonies was the Carlow Leagues eagerly awaited visit on FA Cup Final day (Man. Utd. v Newcastle
Utd.) when the Carlow party arrived at Rathfriland in the heart of Co. Down on 22nd May 1999. Both Carlow teams won their games and all the players retired together to The Old George hostelry to watch Man U win the Cup and later attended a civic reception and music session organised locally.
The cost of the trip was funded by the League together with local sponsorship and grant aid received from County Carlow VEC, Carlow County Council, Allied Irish Banks, Greencore, Dooley motors, Bramley Jewellers, Tully’s Travel, Cooney Sports, Bank of Ireland and the Seven Oaks Hotel. 
Such was the real bonds of friendship that had developed and recognition of common interests between our communities it wasn't long before the Carlow League received a number of inquiries from football clubs in the Banbridge area to participate in friendly challenge matches on a home and away basis.  The semi professional club Banbridge Town paid a weekend visit to Carlow during May 2000 and enjoyed an eventful social and sporting experience.
On the basis of its achievements in successfully establishing harmonious sporting and social linkages between the organisations and members from different cultural backgrounds the League was chosen out of 1300 entries as a Local Award winner in the AIB Better Ireland Awards 2000 and recently was presented with its £1,000 award at a special presentation reception organised by AIB.