Celebrating 30 years of the Rovers!

Munich Irish Rovers FC celebrated their 30-year anniversary with a fun-filled day of events on Saturday, 28th June. The event drew over 150 participants, from legends from the club's founding days all the way through to current members, partners and children. 

To mark the occasion, the club invited members both past and present to the Herterich Stuben at the men's home ground in Solln for a day of festivities. As is tradition, the afternoon began with a mixed tournament featuring almost 70 players, with Team Yellow eventually being crowned champions after a gruelling few hours under the hot Munich sun.

Once the tournament was over, it was time to head to the beer garden for some well-deserved refreshments, with the Herterich Stuben having laid out a fully-catered buffet full of yummy options. James C. O'Shea, the Irish Consul General to Munich, was also on hand to assist with handing out the annual end-of-season awards. He extended his congratulations to the club on their achievements over the last three decades and for their involvement within the broader Irish community in Munich. 

In addition to handing out the Players' and Coach’s Player of the Season awards, this summer the club also introduced a new category: Goal of the Season. Members were able to vote for their Goal of the Season, as captured by the club's Veo cameras, for both men's teams and the women's team, with prizes presented to the winners.

The Irish Consul General to Munich handed out awards

The club also granted honorary membership to 18 individuals in recognition of their contributions and efforts for the club over the years. While the majority of recipients belong to the so-called ‘Rovers Legends’ of years gone by, the 30th anniversary was a chance to honour two current players: Former treasurer and Ladies’ captain Katrin Trojer and former chairman and B-Team defender Stevie Meyer were each awarded honorary membership after serving 15 and 20 years at the club respectively.

​The party also offered an opportunity for the club to recognise the achievement of our title-winning Ladies’ team from the 2024/25 season. The players and coaches were gifted specially-made Champions T-shirts as a memento for an unforgettable campaign, and came together once more to lift their trophy to chants of “Campeones, Campeones, Olé, Olé, Olé!” and a standing ovation from all the Rovers in attendance.

The Ladies' team in their Champions T-shirts

​Of course, it wouldn't be a Rovers event without a charity raffle. This year's prizes included a custom Hawaiian shirt, items from the club shop, generous donations from our sponsors Evolve Fitness, Taste of India and The Keg, and plenty more, generating nearly €1,000, which has since been donated to Munich’s main food bank, Münchner Tafel.

​​​​As a special surprise, the club had arranged for a performance from the Emerald Dancers, a Munich-based Irish dance show group. After captivating the Rovers with some Riverdance kicks and flicks to familiar Irish jigs, they then led those in attendance through a lively series of céilí dances that had everyone on their feet.​

​What an amazing celebration with legends from the club's founding days all the way through to our current members. The club would like to thank everyone who attended for being part of this memorable day!

2024/25 END-OF-SEASON AWARDS

A-Team
Players' Player of the Season: Nicholas Fest
Coach's Player of the Season: Rich Homer
Goal of the Season: Jordan Hall

B-Team
Players' Player of the Season: Clyde Dias
Coach's Player of the Season: Stuart Moffat
Goal of the Season: Clyde Dias

Ladies
Players' Player of the Season: Jacqueline Negro
Coach's Player of the Season: Patricia Serna Alvarez
Goal of the Season: Lee La Briffa