GAA President part of "a celebration" for Killeshin

Killeshin GAA had a special guest at their Gaelic grounds recently, when GAA President Jarlath Burns was in attendance at a milestone moment for the club nestled on the border between Laois and Carlow.

The event was a commemoration to mark Killeshin completing redevelopment works at their grounds; but speaking to The Nationalist, club chairman, Paul Brennan described the day not as official re-opening, but rather “a celebration” for both the club and the community.

“We had Jarlath down; he spoke, he hung around for a couple of hours – he was very generous with his time – and then off he went. He's a busy man,” Mr Brennan told us.

“I'd say he's the busiest president ever; because I know myself, he was in Ballylinan and Rosenallis a couple of weeks previous, opening up pitches there as well, you know. He's a bit different from your normal GAA president; not to stereotype all past presidents, but he was just a bit different, you know.

“If you've ever heard Jarlath, he's a great speaker. So, it was just nice to mark the occasion, mark the work that was done, and for the community to come out and have a look around and see what they thought.

“I admire the man, I have to say. It's the second time he’s done something for Killeshin.” 

Mr Brennan explained that rather than Killeshin making substantial changes or upgrades to their grounds, the club instead focused on amalgamating the already existing facilities into one united, streamlined institution.

“There's two ditches on either side of the road up to the (entrance) gate and down into the clubhouse. We have a pitch on that side, which is the old pitch where the clubhouse is, and on the far side we bought land back in 2008 when Eddie Whelan was the chairman,” Mr Brennan explained.

“So, we had the clubhouse and these lovely pitches, but with the two hedgerows where they were, it was like two separate facilities - even though they were only across the road.

“We worked in cooperation with Laois County Council, because, to be honest with you, the primary concern was the kids crossing from one pitch to the other; they had to come out of the gate at one pitch, down the road from a working farm, and into a blind bend on the road before they could turn into the old pitch. So, basically, the two ditches came out, we widened the roads and put in a pedestrian crossing.” 

The club received funding through Sports Capital Grants, which went a long way to covering the costs of the project, which also entailed refurbishments to the clubhouse as well as an extension to the parking facilities.

Killeshin are also well known for their own in-house fundraising and have raised significant sums of money through their bottle collection initiative at recent Electric Picnics and Ploughing Championships.

Mr Brennan also thanked Blacknight Solutions, who generously donated a brand-new digital scoreboard the week of the event, with the Chairman adding that Killeshin’s next development ambition is to build a gym.

Laois County Councillor Ben Brennan, GAA President Jarlath Burns and Killeshin GAA Chairman Paul Brennan.

GAA President Jarlath Burns addresses those in attendance at the Killeshin GAA celebrations.

GAA President Jarlath Burns with some very enthusiastic young Killeshin players.

Memories made in Killeshin.

Jarlath Burns with Elva and PJ Kelly.

Fr John Dunphy blesses the new facilities at Killeshin GAA.

GAA President Jarlath Burns with a selection of young Killeshin players.