New park to offer lasting legacy and brighter future

Just a short distance from where Garda Anthony Golden grew up in Culleens, a remarkable vision is becoming a reality. Born from an extraordinary act of courage and carried forward by a determined community, Anthony Golden Park promises a lasting home for generations of young girls in Ballina and the surrounding areas— and a welcoming place for the wider community to enjoy.

Anthony lost his life in 2015 while intervening to protect a woman during a domestic violence incident. His courage and selflessness touched people far beyond his home town. That a park bearing his name will stand so close to where he grew up makes this tribute especially meaningful: a place filled with the friendship, opportunity and energy of young people, and a shared space for neighbours and families.

Following his death, eight people came together to honour Anthony in a lasting way. They raised substantial funds towards purchasing land for a park in his memory, supported by the generosity of the wider community. Those original members were Clair Cooke, Fr Kieran Holmes, Liam Kiely, Declan Cafferkey, Vincent Furey, Peter Dooley, Michael O’Malley, Fiona Farrell and Michael O’Malley. Their determination laid the foundations for everything that followed.

At the same time, Kilmoremoy LGFC was seeking a permanent home of its own. The two ambitions came together naturally. Four original Kilmoremoy representatives — Joe Corcoran, Simon Beale, Tom Waldron and Padraig Hennigan — helped unite the groups around a shared vision: honour Anthony’s memory while creating a brighter future for girls’ football and the wider community.

The land is owned by Kilmoremoy AGP CLG, the company leading the development in partnership with Kilmoremoy LGFC. Getting this far has taken years of meetings, planning and persistence. The dedication of volunteers involved in Kilmoremoy AGP CLG, alongside the hugely committed Kilmoremoy LGFC committee, has been central to that progress. Their shared determination is proof of what can happen when people come together for the benefit of others.

With approximately 420 female playing members, Kilmoremoy LGFC is the largest ladies’ football club in Mayo. Despite that remarkable growth, the club has never had a permanent home ground of its own. Anthony Golden Park will give its players something they have worked towards for years: a place to belong, develop and take pride in calling their own.

The talent is already evident. This year the senior team narrowly missed out on the county junior title, while the minors came agonisingly close to a Division One title. Those campaigns reflect the skill, resilience and ambition running through the club. Behind every team are dedicated coaches and volunteers who give up evenings and weekends, nurturing talent, friendships and confidence. If the girls can achieve this much without a permanent base, imagine what future generations could do with one.

But the project is about more than winning matches. It is about a young girl arriving for her first training session and feeling welcome. It is about making sure the facilities available to girls reflect their commitment and potential. And it is about creating a place where families, neighbours and supporters feel equally at home — whether they are involved in football or not.

That wider purpose is central to the plans. Anthony Golden Park is intended as a community-based, multi-sport development for people of all ages, including local schools, other sporting groups, walkers and families throughout Ballina and North Mayo. On the approximately seven-acre site behind Culleens National School on the Killala Road, planning permission has been granted for a full-size floodlit pitch, changing facilities, a spectator stand, an all-weather Astro turf pitch, a playground and a multi-purpose track. Outdoor gym equipment is also part of the wider vision. Together, these facilities can create an active, welcoming space used well beyond match days.

A parent walking while a child trains, schoolchildren enjoying sport, friends meeting for exercise, or neighbours simply enjoying fresh air: these are all part of the future being imagined. The hope is that Anthony Golden Park will become a shared community asset, bringing people together across ages, interests and sporting backgrounds.

Crucially, this is no longer simply an idea. The land has been secured and Mayo County Council granted planning permission – major milestones achieved through voluntary effort. Much remains to be done before the facilities become a reality, but the progress already made shows the seriousness of the ambition and the strength of those behind it.

Local businesses, families, former players and supporters now have an opportunity to become part of the next chapter, whether through sponsorship, practical assistance or encouragement. Supporting Anthony Golden Park means investing in young people, community life and a legacy that will endure. The club is already fortunate to have an excellent senior team sponsor in Raymond Carden and Ridgepool Fuels.

Speaking about the project, Kilmoremoy AGP CLG chairperson Fergal Mulligan said: “What makes this project special is the people behind it. We’re fortunate to have fantastic volunteers across both Kilmoremoy AGP CLG and Kilmoremoy LGFC who have put an enormous amount of time and effort into getting us this far. When you see the talent coming through the club, you realise just how much these girls deserve a place of their own. We have an opportunity to build something really special here, something that will make Ballina proud for generations.” 

"Years from now, young players may never know every meeting held or obstacle overcome. They will simply know that this is their home – and that a community came together to make it possible."

Anthony Golden Park will carry one man’s name, but its legacy will belong to an entire community.