Úactaráin Christy Cooney and Billy Walsh declare
Sarsfields new clubhouse open
Celebration
was the name of the game for the Sarsfields club on Sunday
last as their plush new facilities in Páirc Charman were
officially opened by G.A.A. President, Christy Cooney.
Members past and present mingled freely with guests, family
and friends on a special occasion which will be cherished by
the hard-working committee for many years to come.
There
was an air of optimism and good cheer throughout the
afternoon as club stalwarts from many different eras
recalled memories of great days and looked forward to even
more success in the future.
And while Christy Cooney rightly praised Sarsfields for its
achievements to date, he added that this day marked a ‘new
beginning’ for the club and urged even more people to draw
inspiration from what they had seen and get involved in a
practical way. Speaking with passion as only a true
grassroots G.A.A. official can, the Youghal (Cork) clubman
greatly impressed Sarsfields members with his warm, affable
nature and his willingness to spend time chatting with young
and old alike.
The special guests also included former star Armagh
midfielder Jarlath Burns, Chairman of the G.A.A’s 125
committee, who was accompanied by his wife, Suzanne. Sheamus
Howlin, Leinster Council Chairman, was in attendance too
along with County Board officers Ger Doyle, Margaret Doyle,
Tony Dempsey and Joe O’Shaughnessy.
Master of ceremonies, Billy Dodd, noted that while Sunday
marked the end of the club’s off-field development, the
quest for new players and members would be never-ending.
Sarsfields finally have a home to call their own, he noted,
and special thanks were reserved for the main contractor,
Paddy McGee, and his team for bringing the project to
fruition. Others to contribute in rich measure to the
clubhouse development were Ger Doyle Plumbing Contractor,
Whelan Cleaning Systems Ltd., John Walker Electrical, Nicky
Doyle Painters, F.E.S., David Farrell, Mick Carty (Tiler)
and Brian Walsh Carpentry.
The great atmosphere on Sunday was helped no end by the
presence of Alan Corcoran and the South-East Radio team for
a live outside broadcast, while the children were kept
entertained with face painting, crazy golf, ball skills,
hotdogs and a whole lot more. The formalities started on an
appropriate note when Sarsfields stalwart Jim Crowley
planted a tree in memory of all deceased club members.
The official opening of the clubhouse was a joint affair, as
Christy Cooney was joined in this pleasant function by
long-standing member and Irish Olympic boxing coach, Billy
Walsh.
In
an emotional address, Billy spoke of how much it meant to
him to be among his own people who had always been there for
him, after the defeats as well as the victories. He recalled
his involvement with Sarsfields which began as a
‘snotty-nosed eight-year-old’, and presented his jerseys
from the Seoul and Beijing Olympics which will take pride of
place on the clubhouse wall.
Club Chairman, Ger Halligan, returned thanks to the special
guests on behalf of all club members, while his daughter,
Aisling, spoke some appropriate words ‘as Gaeilge’ as
presentations were made to Christy Cooney and Billy Walsh.
Fr. O’Shea blessed the building before the red and yellow
ribbons were cut in a joyous moment for all members.
It was then time for another important function as the
clubhouse was dedicated to the memory of the man they called
‘The Chief’, the late Seán Siggins. Ger Doyle and
Sheamus Howlin had glowing praise for his contribution to
the G.A.A., while his daughter, Christine, spoke movingly on
behalf of the family as she recalled how much the club meant
to her late, lamented father who died in the club¹s
Centenary year in November, 2007, at the age of 85.
Part three of the day saw the exploits of the great Wexford
Senior football team from 1915 to 1918 take centre stage, as
the silverware which they won outright for their All-Ireland
four-in-a-row, the Great Southern and Western Railway Cup,
was presented to Christy Cooney for display in the Croke
Park museum by the O’Kennedy family.
Anne O’Kennedy, who travelled from Boston for the event,
fondly recalled the summer days of her childhood when her
cousins would visit and the cup would be placed in the
garden while they played happily around it.
There was a special mention for the four sons of members of
that great team who were there to witness an historic moment
- Seán ‘Gus’ O’Kennedy (son of Seán), Jim Crowley
(son of Jack), Ned Roice (son of Barney) and Nick Furlong
(son of Frank).
The day ended on the perfect note too, as the first-ever
playing of the Peadar Ó Crúalaíoch Cup resulted in a 0-7
to 0-5 victory for a fine Sarsfields Under-10 team prepared
by Paul Harrington, Damien Dempsey and Kieran Carroll over a
gallant Shelmaliers side. The late Pete Crowley was one of
the greatest players in the history of the Sarsfields, and
it was a poignant moment as his widow, Carrie, presented the
cup to her grandson, Conal, who played at wing-forward on
the triumphant team.
