Irvinestown 3G pitch
FERMANAGH’S first full size 3G Gaelic and multi-sports pitch is officially open for business.
The official opening of Fermanagh’s first full size flood-lit 3G Gaelic games and multi-sports pitch at the Bawnacre Centre, Irvinestown took place last week.
Chairman of Fermanagh District Council, Councillor Alex Baird and legendary sports commentator, Micheál O Muircheartaigh, officially opened the £789,973 state of the art all weather facility which has a full sized GAA pitch, full size soccer pitch and three playing areas suitable for team training sessions and ten aside games.
Funding of £599,973 was provided from SWARD (South West Action for Rural Development) through the NI Rural Development Programme under Axis 3 Measure 3.4: “Basic Services for the economy and rural population” and match funding of £190,000 provided from Fermanagh District Council.
An evening of sporting activity involving more than 120 children taking part in coaching exhibitions in gaelic football, rugby and Soccer on the three cross play areas helped to kick off the evening’s celebrations.
This was followed by two historic challenge matches.
The first match, with sides selected by Micheál O Muircheartaigh and George Beacom, Bawnacre Centre manager, featuring their favourite past and present Gaelic Football players from across Fermanagh, was a classic encounter with many former Fermanagh greats displaying their skills.
The sides were managed by Charlie Mulgrew, Peter McGinnity, Dominic Corrigan and Syd Mulrone.
In the second challenge match, Ballinamallard United FC managed by Whitey Anderson, took on a North Fermanagh Select side managed by Paul Cassidy, which featured players from Erne Rovers, Lisnarick, Irvinestown, and NFC Kesh. Ballinamallard United won 3-1.
The multi-sports facility has been developed on an existing pitch at St Mary’s College and the Chairman thanked St Michael’s Educational Trust and Bishop Liam McDaid for the transfer of the lease.
The chairman also acknowledged the assistance provided by the Parish Committee of Devenish, in particular Rev Father Mc Gourty and the principal, staff and the board of governors of St Mary’s College.
Speaking at the event, Micheál O Muircheartaigh, congratulated Fermanagh District Council on its vision to seize the opportunity of securing funding to enhance an existing grass pitch into Fermanagh’s first full-size Gaelic games and multi-sports pitch.
Micheál said: “This facility is a key component of County Fermanagh’s sporting infrastructure and I look forward to hearing of the facility’s great use and success.”
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