'Run for Rangers' event was a huge success for Barrow Rangers

There was a full house in Gowran Park as Barrow Rangers supporters and club members celebrated together on Saturday. 

The Paulstown and Goresbridge-based GAA club hosted the event to thank all its members for digging deep for the purchase of its pitch and new sports development. It was also a night full of awards and achievements, as local sporting hero’s John and Willie Hanlon handed out medals to the under 19 and under 17 hurlers.

Barrow Rangers under 19 and under 17 hurlers

The club had another outstanding fundraiser that day with the Run for Rangers Battle of the Townlands. Thirteen teams made up of 240 runners from the 13 surrounding townlands took to the roads for 5km and 10km run.

Siobhan Donohoe with the winning team of the Run for Rangers, Collette Dormer & Patrice Mullins with Stephen Dormer, Chairman of the Fundraising Committee for the Run for Rangers

The teams raised over €46,000 from the run. The winning team came from Kellysmount.

Maurice Hanlon, Stephen Dormer, Jim Flavin & Martin Maher

The teams had extra help from the Clubs supporting heroes as camogie star Collette Dormer, Olympian boxer Darren O’Neill and hurler Richie Doyle,. All three took part in the run for the respective townsland. 

"Our latest fundraising initiative was focussed upon raising €30,000 for goal posts and netting for our fabulous new pitches, and we exceeded that," said Jim Flavin, Chairman of Barrow Rangers GAA Club. 

Conor Dunne presented with her medal by John Hanlon

"We had a great turnout for the Run for Rangers event by a group of people who dig deep every time for their club.”

As part of the evening’s proceedings, MC and Kilkenny People's Siobhan Donohoe chatted on stage to Paulstown's Hanlon brothers – John and Willie.

John ‘Shark’ Hanlon spoke about his latest star Hewick and the famous win of the American Grand National, while he brother Willie also had incredible success this year with his greyhound Born Warrior winning Derby at Shelbourne Park.

Jim Flavin, Chairman of Barrow Rangers, Willie Hanlon, John 'Shark' Hanlon & MC Siobhan Donohoe

VISION

In 2019 Barrow Rangers set out an their vision: to develop two new playing pitches for Paulstown/Goresbridge Parish.

To date they have purchased 7.5 acres and expect to complete the final surface to the new pitches in the Spring of 2023.

Last year Project Lifeline Walking and Running track was officially opened with the assistance of €75,000 grant aid from Kilkenny Leader Partnership.

The Club also completed the first phase of the new access road and carpark earlier this year.