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Packie Bonner opens Carn pitch
08.05.09
Ard Kilbride's
state-of-the-art mini-pitch unveiled
by Dσnal Campbell, Inishowen
Independent
ARD KILBRIDE estate in Carndonagh was one of three
locations around the county to have a mini-pitch
officially opened last Tuesday by former Republic of
Ireland goalkeeper and current FAI Technical
Director Packie Bonner. The impressive new facility
courtesy of Donegal County Council and part-funded
by the FAI in partnership with UEFA is located at
the rear of Ard Kilbride where the presence of
Packie Bonner drew a large crowd of locals and
Inishowen soccer folk alike on Tuesday afternoon.
The mini-pitch, similar in size to many commercial
astro-turf facilities in the north west, is fenced
off and contains goals for use in playing soccer as
well as two basketball blackboards, volleyball
support posts and is adaptable also for tennis.
Newtowncunningham village also availed of a similar
facility as did Ballyshannon town both were
officially opened earlier in the day. |
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Donegal County Council
official, Aideen Doherty, who was largely
responsible for the management of the project,
welcomed the various councillors, FAI personnel and
locals to the Ard Kilbride facility as well as the
Mayor of Donegal Gerry Crawford and Packie Bonner.
Cllr. Bernard McGuinness told those present that it
was "a great day for Ard Kilbride" to be chosen as
one of just four locations in the entire county to
receive such a facility. Cllr. McGuinness wrly
commented that the opening of mini-pitches in the
years ahead were likely to be "few and far between." |
Joseph McLaughlin,
chairman of the resident's group thanked all those
in the estate who continually work hard to improve
facilities for its young population. Cllr Denis
McGonagle was also fulsome in his praise of the
residents group: "When you have people in an estate
prepared to take as active a role as the residents
of Ard Kilbride it is a great thing for a community
as demonstrated by this wonderful facility."
McGonigle concluded by noting that he was delighted
to have assisted in the choosing of Carndonagh as a
mini-pitch location.
Packie Bonner told the crowd of over 150 that he
hadn't been to Carndonagh too many times before but
remembered one trip to the north Inishowen town many
years ago when he claimed Rosses C.S beat Carn
C.S. in a football match! Bonner, the iconic
goalkeeper from Jack Charlton's Republic of Ireland
World Cup squad and long-time Celtic stalwart, said
it warmed his heart to see a mini-pitch located in
the very heart of the community many of the other
pitches were located near schools. He too praised
Donegal County Council and the local resident's
group and had a special word for the good work being
carried out in Inishowen by his fellow FAI
colleagues, including Herbie Barr and Stephen
McNutt, as well as the many volunteers on the
ground.
He told the youngsters present to "go and use the
pitch to its maximum." Turning to the parents he
said, "Sport must be kept high on your kid's agenda.
It's very important in an age blighted by everything
from drugs to obesity. Remember that sport can
always intervene. These kids don't know about
recession they just want to play. This facilitates
them." |
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