Pictures- Saints ready to pitch in for new Astroturf facility

A Kilkenny community learned of the latest steps in a new sporting chapter when the St Martin’s GAA club held an information evening regarding their future plans in Coon Hall recently.

Club chairman Richard O’Shea welcomed all who attended, including new Kilkenny GAA County Board chairman PJ Kenny.

Together with Aidan Lawler the chairman presented news on the club’s new AstroTurf facility which is currently under development at Comerford Park in Coon.

This development came about as the club was looking to expand its training facilities to cater for the increased numbers of players that Martin’s now have at underage and at adult level.

Phase one

The chairman thanked the Coon Pitch Development Committee who designed the new 60mx30m facility. The committee, who are currently project managing the development, expect to have phase one completed this spring.

Mr O’Shea spoke about the fundraising initiatives required to pay for the new facility, where the club are selling tickets for the upcoming GAA national club draw. Fr Larry Wallace, on behalf of Coon Sale of Work, Committee donated €4,500 while local supporter Philip Shore has donated an in-calf heifer. The chairman thanked all who have donated and supported the fund raising initiatives.

This new facility will benefit all the clubs using our facilities in Coon and Muckalee - St Martin’s GAA, St Martin’s Bord na nÓg, Muckalee Gaelic football club, the Muckalee Ladies Gaelic footballers, Muckalee Mothers and Others Football and St Martin’s camoige club.

Hurling for Cancer

On the night the club made a donation to local horse trainer Jim Bolger who was represented by James Dowling. This donation, which went to Jim’s Hurling for Cancer charity, came from the proceeds of a charity hurling match which was held on St Stephen’s Day.

The club also presented a set of jerseys to Billy Murphy for his Ray of Sunshine charity. These jerseys will be sent to new hurlers in Africa.

Chairman of Kilkenny Co Board PJ Kenny congratulated the club on the new Astro Turf Facility and the hard work that is happening in the club at the moment. He stressed that clubs must continue to look forward and develop players at all levels. He wished the club well for the year ahead.

Also in attendance also were Kilkenny Co Council chairman Pat Fitzpatrick and John Paul Phelan TD.

The celebrations continued with a number of medal presentations. The club’s 2022 under-13 Rionn C 13-a-side Shield winners and the successful girls’ under-12 footballers were honoured for their onfield victories.

Pictures by Alf Harvey