1994 GAA Park Re-opens
August 10th, 2006 by admin
Sunday 31st July 1994 sees the re-opening of the GAA Grounds in Glenfarne and also the opening of new changing rooms complete with showers and toilets. It is the culmination of many years of hard work by the Park Committee and their many willing helpers.
After the success of the Glenfarne Junior Team in winning both the County Championship and League titles in 1991 morale was high and it was decided to form a separate committee to look after the completion of the Park work. This committee had the huge task of raising the necessary funds to carry out this work and many nights were spent plotting and planning how to achieve this ambition.
It was decided as a means of fundraising to hold an election to find the First Citizen of Glenfarne with four local people allowing their names to go forward for election.
Each of the four then got together their own band of workers and when the campaign was launched on Easter Sunday night things really took off from there and never ceased until the final night, 3rd August 1991. At the start the committee had set themselves a target of £ 14,000 which they hoped they could raise. Thanks to everyone concerned, that target was easily passed and on the closing night of the campaign a huge total of £22,500 had been collected. And so, due to this great effort the park: committee could set about their work, and to day we see the results of that work.
With the help of an SES Scheme work got underway on the 14th June 1993 and six local men were employed on the project, Sean McDermott, Frank McDermott, Frank McDermott, Seamus McManus, Gerry Gilgunn and Clement McGuire who also acted as supervisor. A second SES Scheme is now in operation and those involved are Michael McManus, who is supervisor, Marty O’Hara, Peter Kerr, Seamus McLoughlin and Brendan McGovern, Junior.
During the past year or so many people gave their time and talents to help out with this work. Next Sunday sees a great programme arranged to commemorate the occasion. Starting with concelebrated Remembrance Mass in St. Mary’s Church at 10 am., preceded by a band parade from the Rainbow Ballroom to the Church with St. Nailes Youth Marching Band from Kinawley. The Mass will be concelebrated by Fr. T. Woods P.P., assisted by many Glenfarne born priests and will be broadcasted live by M & NWR.
On the playing pitch the days programme commences with an Under 16 Football Game Shannon Gaels v Glenfarne with a 1.30 pm start. This will be followed by the meeting of Glenfarne and Glencar-Manorhamilton in the Intermediate grade, starting at 2.30 pm.
At 3.45 pm we will have the blessing of the grounds and changing rooms by Rev. T. Woods P.P., assisted by the visiting Glenfarne priests. This ceremony will be followed by the official re-opening by Mr Aiden McGowan N.T. President of the Leitrim GAA Board, a former Melvin Gaels, Leitrim and Connacht Footballer. Aiden who now lives and teaches in Grange, Co. Sligo is no stranger to Glenfarne as he taught for many years in Cullentra School, now closed.
And so at 4 pm we have the big match of the day bringing into opposition the present Leitrim and Fermanagh Senior Football Champions, Aughawillan and Devenish and what a game it promises to be. Both teams can boast of many county players, famous names for Aughawillan are of course County Team Captain, Declan Darcy, Mickey Quinn and the popular Gerry Flanagan. Devenish too have many county stars in their line up Michael O’Brien, Bart O’Brien, Mark Gallagher, Paul Coyle, Brian Carty, Ciaran Gallagher and Paddy McGuinness.
The Botha Youth Marching Band from Derrygonnelly will be in attendance and will lead the teams around the pitch before the big match. The band will also provide musical selections during the intervals.
The entire days programme (including the Mass) will be video taped. The committed have compiled a souvenir booklet to honour the occasion and copies will be on sale from this Saturday. On Sunday night in the Rainbow the day’s proceedings will come to a close with a Banquet and Dance.
On Saturday next 30th the weekly programme Focus on the Clubs on North West Radio between 1 pm and 2 pm. The focus will be on Glenfarne, so don’t forget to tune in.
