RED-LETTER DAY MARKED IN MEMORABLE FASHION
30 October 1996
Ballyglass win glowing Presidential approval
by Tom Kelly
President Mary Robinson performed the official opening on
Saturday of the new £250,000 Ballyglass Football Club stadium.
There was a big turnout in the South Mayo village to mark
the historic visit of Ireland's President for a red-letter day
in the development of the local community.
Addressing the attendance on a lovely, crisp morning, President Robinson said what she admired most about the facility was that it was more than just a club for Ballyglass F.C.
It was also a social club and provided a forum for community activities. She said she was very impressed by the quality of workmanship inside the new clubhouse, and paid tribute to those who displayed such care and professionalism during the building project.
"It is very beneficial to a community like Ballyglass to have a club which reaches out to the people.
"I know there is a close affinity between the football club and the Black Pudding Club, an organisation which provides an outlet for storytelling, poetry, music, drama and live entertainment."
She praised Ballyglass F.C. for giving a good example.
"You are a good role model with a great sense of pride in yourselves. You should be proud of what who have achieved."
President Robinson remarked the decision to postpone her visit in September, owing to a State engagement, proved fortunate from the club's point of view.
"The trophy of the Mayo League Premiership, which the club captured just a week ago, is now sitting proudly inside the new clubhouse. How appropriate that is."
Mr. Pat Quigley, president, Football Association of Ireland, said it was a tremendous honour for Ballyglass and Mayo football in general that President Robinson came to open the new Ballyglass F.C. facilities.
"I think Ballyglass deserve the highest tributes for what they have achieved. They had a dream. And today their dream has come to fruition.
"They should be proud of what they have achieved. It is the finest facility of its type anywhere in the country."
He said the F.A.I. was glad to be in a position to help the club in their development project.
Mr. Quigley announced the F.A.I. would be announcing a new round of grants before the end of the year.
Mr. Padraig Heverin, club chairman, formally welcomed President Robinson to Ballyglass.
"Your presence on this occasion is the ultimate honour for us."
ULTIMATE HONOUR
He said the club had come a long way since being set up by a returned emigrant, Michael Keaveney, back in 1975."His objective was to provide a focal point for the young people of the community, and I believe we have now gone much further than that."
The stadium incorporates two enclosed full size playing pitches, a beautifully appointed clubhouse, spacious dressingroom and shower facilities, as well as an extensive car park.
The clubhouse has two spacious dressing rooms downstairs, each containing four individual shower units. There is a separate referees' dressing room which also contained its own shower unit. A meeting room and gents and ladies toilets complete the downstairs section of the clubhouse. Upstairs there is a very impressive function room comprising some nice features such as a wooden floor and cast iron fireplace.
The function rooms also offers a full view of the main pitch from its three large windows. Bar, kitchen and toilet facilities are also available in the upstairs area. The club carpark is capable of holding several hundred cars, and it ideally equipped to deal with big crowds.
There was a carnival atmosphere in Ballyglass over the Bank Holiday weekend as the village celebrated a notable achievement.
The club also published a 68-page club history to mark the
occasion.
Connaught Telegraph - News - October 1996
Connaught Telegraph - Sport - October 1996
