Bermo’s testimonial match to benefit community groups

A TESTIMONIAL for St Patrick’s Athletic football club legend Ian Bermingham will see three community groups benefit from any funds raised.

The Saints In The Community Programme, Ballyfermot United youth section and Cherry Orchard Running Club will be the three partners and beneficiaries of Bermingham’s testimonial in September.

Bermo, as he is affectionately known by the Inchicore faithful, signed for St Pat’s in 2010 and went on to establish himself as first-choice left-back, being named club captain in 2017 and accumulating 452 appearances.

Leaving an undeniable mark on the Saints, the Ballyfermot native enjoyed an overwhelmingly successful spell at the club.

Over 13 seasons at Richmond Park, Bermo won the League of Ireland Premier Division title, a brace of FAI Cups and League of Ireland Cups, three Leinster Senior Cups and a President of Ireland’s Cup.

He played in many memorable European games before hanging up his boots at the end of the 2022 season.

Bermingham’s testimonial, which will celebrate his unwavering loyalty and success with the club, will take place on September 9 in Richmond Park.

Last week, Bermingham, accompanied by St Pat’s Community Officer Niall Cully, welcomed chairperson of Ballyfermot United, John Belmont, and founder of Cherry Orchard Running Club, Kenneth O’Driscoll to the club.

“I’m delighted to partner up with Saints In The Community, Ballyfermot United and Cherry Orchard running club,” the 34-year-old told St Patrick’s Athletic on social media.

“I started with Ballyfermot United as a six-year-old, and played most of my schoolboy career there, it’s a great club filled with great people, they’ve had a big rebuild over the last couple of years, including a thriving girls section so I’m delighted to be able to contribute and give something back to a club that has put a lot of time and effort into me as a schoolboy.

“I’ve seen the work that Kenneth and all the coaches at Cherry Orchard Running Club do, they have had a really positive impact on the adults and kids of the area over the last ten years, both physically and mentally.

“The club gives a lot of people an outlet to exercise and mix with people, it’s getting bigger and bigger each year.

“I’ve gone on some runs with Kenneth with the club, it’s very enjoyable and a great way to exercise.

“The Saints In The Community Programme has done amazing work in the area over the last number of years, initially under Dave Morrissey and now under Niall Cully.

“It’s great to see so many young people from the area involved in the club and coming to the games on a Friday night at Richmond Park, it’s no coincidence that our home crowds have increased so much.

“I think a big part of that is that work that Niall does, and that Dave did before him.

“I’m delighted to be able to contribute in some way to the programme moving forward.”

Former St Patrick’s Athletic player Ian Bermingham

Meanwhile, Belmont said Ballyfermot United is “delighted” to be selected as a beneficiary, especially with Bermingham viewed as a key role model in the community.

“Our players look at how Ian has risen from the Lawns to the top of League of Ireland Football and how he conducts himself on and off the pitch and this gives them encouragement to be able to achieve the same,” Belmont said.

“On behalf of everyone at Ballyfermot United SSC, we would like to wish Ian all the very best in his next chapter and thank both Ian and St Patrick’s Athletic for allowing us be a part of this great occasion.”

Meanwhile, Cherry Orchard Running Club, which was established in 2014, is also “delighted to be picked as a beneficiary to Ian’s testimonial”.

“These funds will go a long way to help our Juveniles progress in the sport of running, a huge thanks to Ian and St Pat’s for this opportunity,” O’Driscoll, founder and head coach in the running club, said.

Running in tandem with the football match, there is A Night with the 2013 Champions being held on Thursday (August 3), a golf classic on August 14, a cup winners night on August 29 in Rascals Brewery, and a fan raffle to play in the match.

All details around the testimonial are available on www.stpatsfc.ie

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