Historic day for hurling in West Sligo

Bank Holiday Monday, May 6 will go down as a historic day for Western Gaels hurling and camogie club with the sod turning for their new pitch. 25 years after the foundation of the club, a huge crowd of club members, hurling enthusiasts and supportive locals flocked to Culleens to see Connacht GAA president Vincent Neary turn the sod for the first hurling and camogie grounds in County Sligo and only the third outside of Galway in Connacht.

Club secretary – and MC for the day – Tomás Cawley thanked the local GAA clubs, Enniscrone/Kilglass, Castleconnor and St Farnans, for the use of their facilities down through the years, and proclaimed that without their support, “Western Gaels simply would not exist today”. Mr Cawley also acknowledged the support received from Sligo County Board, Connacht Council and Croke Park in backing the unique project.

Situated just off the N59, a short distance from ‘The Hilltop’, the new pitch will provide a focal point for the local community where young budding hurlers will learn the skills of the ancient game to build on the underage success the club is currently enjoying. Club Chairperson, Cllr Joe Queenan, thanked the landowners, Ann Langan and the Duffy family, for agreeing to the sale of lands, solicitor Liam Sheridan for all his work and also Martin Lydon, County Manager of Sligo County Council, for his support of the project.

Canon George McHale gave an entertaining and educational speech on the significance of the pitch location, outlining that the Kings of Connacht had come from the area and how it was only fitting that our 1000-year-old game would be played in this famous part of West Sligo. Canon McHale hailed the vision of the club executive in providing facilities for the youth of the area and wished the project well before carrying out a blessing of the grounds.

Before turning the sod, Connacht GAA president Vincent Neary acknowledged the work already done on the project and wished the club well on the construction works to follow.

In his concluding remarks, Tomás Cawley urged the communities of West Sligo to get behind and support the new development, outlining that the new pitch will be a facility for all Gaels in West Sligo to enjoy, including the local ladies football club Eoghan Rua and the aforementioned GAA clubs.

Western Gaels hurling and camogie club are continuing their fundraising for the new pitch with their fantastic Dream Holiday draw. To find out more information or to buy a ticket, you can visit www.dreamholiday.ie.