By Kieran Murphy
NETWATCH Cullen Park was humming with excitement on Friday evening as Carlow GAA celebrated 80 years of the stadium and looked to the future by playing games under the newly installed floodlights for the very first time.
A large number of club members from around the county got proceedings underway by parading from Haymarket in Carlow town out to the grounds behind the Killeshin Pipe Band.
GAA President Aogán Ó’ Fearghail and former Carlow GAA chairman Michael Meaney switch on the floodlights at Netwatch Cullen Park
Once inside the stadium, they took their seats and were treated to entertaining games involving the Carlow Colts U14 development squads and their counterparts from Laois and Kildare.
National GAA President Aogán O Fearghail was in attendance and he was accompanied by Carlow County Board Chairman Sean Campion when he addressed the attendance from in front of the stand.
David Walsh (Netwatch), Eddie Byrne (Carlow GAA), John Horan (Leinster Council chairman), Ger Lennon (Carlow GAA), LV Conway (President Carlow GAA), GAA President Aogán Ó Fearghail, Carlow GAA chairman Sean Campion, Brian McGrath (Mount Wolseley) and John O’Neill (tickets.ie) with the birthday cake at the 80th birthday celebration in Netwatch Cullen Park
“Well done to all of you,” said O Fearghail. “Netwatch Cullen Park has served the men and women, the boys and girls of Carlow and the Leinster region very, very well,” he acknowledged.
He impressed on his audience the importance of past and future developments in the organisation.
Brendan and Brendan Hayden Snr pictured with the cake at Netwatch Cullen Park
“We value our wonderful facilities and want to make them even better. I want to compliment everyone but particularly you the clubs of Carlow and officers of the board who have made the effort to improve and make things better.”
“There is a different atmosphere when you come to a game under floodlights,” he continued. “They (floodlights) give us more opportunities, more chances to play our national games. It is another arm in our durability to deliver a good games programme.”
Setanta club members taking part in the parade from Haymarket to Netwatch Cullen Park Photo: Pat Ahern
He had words of congratulations to the county’s Gaels.
“Tonight you are also looking back. You are saying happy birthday to Netwatch Cullen Park. You are remembering the people of Carlow. The GAA is alive and well in Carlow. Well done for providing such wonderful facilities.”
In his speech Sean Campion referenced past, present and future Carlow GAA people.
Stewards Peter Scully, Brian O’Neill and Mick Byrne
“We are celebrating 80 years of this fantastic stadium and we are celebrating history by turning on our lights. Over the years many people have contributed to making this a fantastic stadium. Some of them are still with us and some have gone to their eternal reward. They are very much in our thoughts,” said the county board chairman.
