Ball Alley Opening 14th July
Ballyheigue G.A.A. officially opened its new clubroom, dressing rooms and ball alley on Saturday the 14th of July. The opening was performed by Sean Walsh Chairman of the Kerry County Board following the formal blessing by Father Tom Pierce P.P. There was a large attendance present. Weather conditions were ideal with beautiful sunshine making it a perfect evening for an outdoor ceremony followed by a hurling match between the home team and Bishopstown of Cork.
John Lucid the acting master of ceremonies stated that the club were proud to open its new facility, which had been built at a cost of € 250,000 and was debt free. He thanked the National Lottery and the Munster Council of the GAA for the funding they provided. He also thanked the people of the Parish for their financial support and expressed the hope that the new facility would be well used to promote and develop hurling in the parish and the county in the years to come. He also thanked all the people who had helped out over the previous three weeks with the preparation for the opening.
Tom Lawlor Chairman of the North Kerry Hurling board congratulated the club on the new facility and praised the officers and all club members for their work on the project. He spoke of his own experience with the purchase of the present field, its subsequent development into a fine pitch and commended Willie Leen Club President and the late John Joe O’Sullivan and others for their part in the process.
Mike Kenny Club Chairman spoke next and he thanked Engineer James Fitzgerald and Edward Power Chartered Surveyor for providing their professional services to the project and indicated their generosity had greatly assisted club in completing funding submissions and getting the project complete within budget and on time. He thanked John Brassil for the work he put into the project from the very start through to its conclusion with preparation of funding applications etc. He also thanked the Builders for their workmanship. He thanked all who bought and sold tickets for the draw, the people that support the club Lotto, Golf Classic and other events and the club sponsors. He thanked Eddie Murphy and the Bishopstown team for travelling to play the hurling challenge.
John Brassil then praised Brendan Dunne the previous Chairman and the then committee for their work in getting the idea off the ground. He spoke of Mike Kenny’s drive and determination without which the building would not be completed. He thanked Alan O’Sullivan of AOS Construction for his hard work and especially for his patience in waiting for payment. He also thanked Michael Hanlon the builder on phase 1 of the project. Thanks were also given to Sean Kenny Electrical contractor for his help and advise on the lighting and electrical work. He praised Tommy James Club treasurer for his astute financial management which greatly assisted in getting the job complete within budget He thanked John Lucid for his work on the funding applications to National Lottery and Munster Council.
Sean Walsh then performed the opening ceremony. He spoke of the importance of such a facility for Kerry hurling now and in the future. He mentioned that the new GAA hurling director Paudie Butler spoken very highly of the facility after he had carried out a coaching session with the Kerry senior hurling team recently. . He thanked the club for making their facilities available to County teams whenever they required them.
He also spoke of the importance of properly maintaining it in its current condition saying that the club work was ongoing. People then were taken inside and shown the facility and provided with refreshments.
The game between Bishopstown and Ballyheigue was refereed by Tom Godley. The game had a very exiting finish ending in a draw on a score line of Ballyheigue 4 goals and 12 points to Bishopstown’s 3goals and 15 points. Ballyheigue found it difficult to adjust to the pace of Bishopstown’s game initially. Gradually they came in to the game and went into the lead after substitute Kevin O’Sullivan scored two goals in the second half. Bishopstown rallied with two points to earn the draw.
The Ballyheigue team lined out as follows;
John Mike Pierce, Alan Lucid, Michael Lucid, Pat Harrington, Diarmuid Walsh, Willie Joe Leen, Kieran O’Sullivan, Jason Griffin, Damian Casey, Ronan Kenny, Brendan O’Sullivan, Ned Flahive, Nicholas Stack, Kevin O’Mahony, Tommy O’Connor.
Subs: Jerry Crean, Mark Dineen, Kevin O’Sullivan, Noel Gilbride.
The club is currently in the process of building a handball/hurling alley on its grounds at Sandhill Road, Ballyheigue. Construction began in 2005, the steel structure was erected by Kingdom Structural Steel and block work is now well underway. The main Contractor for the project is Michael Hanlon Drenagh, Ballyheigue. The dimensions of the alley are 60ft x 40ft. It is expected that the project will be completed in 2006.
Handball Alley Development - January 2006
Planning permission has been applied for to add to the initial project with two ladies dressing rooms and two meeting rooms in 2006. This will facilitate the establishment of ladies football and camogie teams within the club. A disabled public toilet facility will also be added to the building. This facility will give wheelchair access and this is essential for clubs with modern up to date facilities. The overall cost of the project including the additions will be € 230,000. To date we have received € 50,000 in funding from the National Lottery. An application for further funding has been submitted in 2006.
Volunteers help with Goalmouth resodding.
It is intended to construct synthetic goalmouth areas on the pitch. This will improve the playing quality of the pitch and will reduce the need for continuous maintenance of the goal areas. This development will extend the playing availability of the pitch. This is expected top cost € 12,100 and comes with a 10 year guarantee.
A great deal of credit goes to the club committee for committing to undertake this project. A lot of time and dedication will be required before the development work is complete.
The club wishes to acknowledge and express its gratitude to Jim Fitzgerald of Jim Fitzgerald & Co Engineers, Martello House, Ivy Terrace, Tralee, and to Edward Power of John J Casey & Co Chartered Quantity Surveyors, Ballincollig, Co.Cork. for their help, assistance and professional guidance with the project.
The club would also like to acknowledge the immense contribution of Cllr.John Brassil in co-ordinating and preparation of bids for funding to the National Lottery Capital Sports funding programme. He has been very generous with his time
We eagerly look forward to seeing this facility in use before Autumn 2006.