GALLERY: Crowds turn out at Moorefield GAA in Kildare as GAA president opens new €1.2m facilities

An Uachtarán told the big attendance that having arrived “earlier than expected, even if it was a day later than orignally planned, it gave me the opportunity to meet so many people, and ask a lot of questions of what it is that makes this club very special".

"When I go to a club I ask three things, is the club a fully inclusive one-club model and my God what a club you have in this regard.

"The second thing I look for is a good atmosphere, a good spirit and is there something for everyone, well in the last hour or two I have seen that and that is something you should be all very proud of while I always ask are  the past heroes still involved” and, as he turns to the legend that is Roli said “I didn’t realise you (Roli) would actually be up here speaking, you are a man that has nothing left to prove and hear you are still driving on the club.”

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The third thing the President said he looks to see is the club looking ahead, planning for the future saying “as we officially open these magnificent new facilities here, you have another phase to go with a new stand and a very important kids playing area” adding that “as a GAA Club it is what you are doing for your community and you are certainly doing that which is simply brilliant to see and I wish you the very best on and off the field of play.”

The new facilities include an all-weather astro pitch (70x40), the main contractor Tipperary based Premier Pitches; along with a skills (hurling) wall; a new floodlit full-size pitch that will compliment the existing, floodlit main pitches. A new walking track has also been installed that should certainly prove a great addition to young and not-so-young alike, along with extra car park facilities.

The entire project, under the direction of then Chairman Mick Maloney, along with a specially formed Club Development Committee, under the direction of Roli Sweeney who looked after the design and the implementation of the project.
Pat Flynn has now stepped into the chairman’s seat and in his address thanked one and all involved in the project, the various people who have sponsored along with the club’s main sponsor Sean Hall of Manguard.

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Roli Sweeney, who chaired the project development committee said that “all at Moorefield are incredibly proud of what they have achieved, it is a great reflection of the GAA community in Moorefield.”

Roli outlined the beginnings of the project in 2019 saying “from the outset they engaged with all the various sections of the club, all its coaches, members, young and old and it was obvious that what they wanted was the facilities to match the ambition of this club and to achieve all that we needed the support of all our members, and that support has been incredible and I thank you one and all” adding “this is not the end of the project, we have more to come, a new stand and a very important playing area for young kids, that is next, it is a great day, another great day for Moorefield and all is members.”