14 March 2012
Friday 16th March will be another momentous day in the proud and distinguished history of Lámh Dhearg CLG, Co Antrim who will proudly officially open their state of art floodlight 3G 80 X 40 metres pitch funded by Sport NI. The new facilities will be officially jointly opened by GAA National Director, PáraicDuffy, ArdStiúrthóir and Prof. Eamonn McCartan Chief Executive of Sport NI. Other local dignitaries will also at end the opening such as Niall O’Donnghaile, Lord Mayor of Belfast, Brian Heading, Mayor of Lisburn and West Belfast MP Paul Maskey.
Excitement is mounting among the Hannahstown members as the club will be the first South Antrim club to have a 3G Pitch and very reminiscent of 1984 when they became the first Antrim club to have a floodlight pitch. The new pitch will be of a significant benefit in facilitating the quality preparation and coaching of its numerous teams.
Chairman, Brendan Herron expressed his satisfaction at the pitch opening.
“The opening of our 3G facility at Páirc Lámh Dhearg will herald a new window of opportunity for all involved with the club. We welcome the financial support from Sport NI and have benefited from their extensive expertise in the area of sports development. We also continue to adhere to the sport for all ethos and our club welcomes people from all walks of life and from a wide range of sporting and cultural traditions. The ideals of participation and involvement are key to our strategic plan and we embrace these in this development.”
Eamonn McCartan, Chief Executive of Sport Northern Ireland commented “Sport Northern Ireland is delighted to work in partnership with Lámh Dhearg C.L.G towards the development of a 3G pitch with floodlighting. This state of the art facility will enable Lámh Dhearg C.L.G to meet the targets set out in their Strategic Development Plan and will significantly improve the sporting provision within Hannahstown and the wider community.”
Furthermore the club will also strengthen its links and partnerships with the local West Belfast and Lisburn Communities as they will be letting out this facility to hire to a variety of local clubs across the sporting spectrum. This new facility will help make the club the hub of the local community.
To mark the historic event, the club have organised a bumper and action packed programme to extend through the St Patrick’s Holiday weekend.
Friday
10 30 am - 01.00 pm Pitch opening.
01.00 pm - 02.00 pm Lunch.
02.30 pm - 0500pm Afternoon of cultural entertainment
05.00 pm - 07.00 pm Entertainment from Declan Murray.
09.00 pm - 01.00 am Texas Holdem.
Saturday.
10.00 am -12.00 pm Juvenile Football and Hurling Tournament
12.15 pm - 01.00 pm Lunch for juveniles
12 30 pm - 02.00 pm Over 40's Football Tournament
02.00 pm - 02.15 pm Tea and sandwiches for over 40's
02.15 pm - 05.30 pm All Ireland Club Hurling and Football Finals
06.00 pm - 08.00 pm traditional music session
07.00 pm - 01.00 pm St Patricks Night Entertainment.
Sunday.
0700 pm -Launch of Ulster Minor Championship Souvenir Programme
09.00 pm - 11.00pm Entertainment with the Wolfhound
