NI star opens new 3G pitch in Castlecaulfield
Dungannon and South Tyrone Mayor Kenneth Reid assisting Celtic and Northern Ireland footballer Niall McGinn to officially open the 3G pitch at Castlecaulfield INTT2212-151JS
THE opening of the new Castlecaulfield 3G pitch was the hottest event in the district last week with huge crowds of footballers and supporters descending on the normally quiet village.
The facility was officially opened by local Northern Ireland international Niall McGinn and the Mayor of Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council, Cllr Kenneth Reid, during a glorious evening of sunshine and high temperatures.
The event was attended by MLAs, Councillors, local Church leaders and huge numbers of the community that reflected the support for this project and event.
After the cutting of the ribbon, committee member Glenn Ferry welcomed everyone to the evening and asked the Mayor and Jayne Moore from Sport Northern Ireland to say a few words on the project, its impact and benefit for everyone in the local area.
Mayor Kenneth Reid said: “As a Council Dungannon and South Tyrone are delighted to have been associated with this project since its inception both in leasing lands for the 3G pitch and in awarding a grant of £15,000.
“The official opening was a showcase of Aughintober Regeneration Partnership’s dedication and hard work and was a fabulous evening for one and all. I congratulate everyone involved - this 3G pitch provides a state of the art sporting facility at Castlecaulfield and an excellent template for future development.”
Jayne Moore of Sport Northern Ireland added: “Our investment of £235,667 for this 3G synthetic pitch falls well within the Strategy for Sport. Sport Northern Ireland hopes this facility will plant the seeds for grass-roots development of sport, and encourage the local community to take part in sport, as well as nurturing a wealth of rising talent.
“It has been a pleasure to work with the Aughintober Regeneration Committee, in particular, I’d like to thank Ian Cuddy, Glenn Ferry, Dennis Kelly and Walter Cuddy. It has been a fruitful and enjoyable partnership and we have all delivered a high quality, and much needed facility for Castlecaulfield and surrounding district. The real hard work starts now in filling this excellent facility day and night and I would encourage everyone to give Aughintober Regeneration their support and custom.”
After the official opening, it was time to get the Charity tournament and entertainment underway.
With the tempting smell of burgers filling the air and families enjoying the face painting, chocolate, ice cream and a full range of children activities, the scene was set for a night of high drama.
With over 50 teams, 82 matches, spread over seven pitches, it was a busy evening for the organisers but after two and half hours of some excellent football, the ‘Goal Getters’ finished up as champions, defeating ‘Goat Storm’ in a tense, sudden death penalty shoot out.
Local club side ‘Dungannon Tigers’ triumphed in the plate competition by defeating the ‘Toon Army’ in the final and ‘Fake Madrid’ tasted victory in the junior competition after a busy playing schedule on Pitch 1.
Aughintober Regeneration Chairman, Ian Cuddy, concluded: “The support we have received for our opening and charity tournament has been very humbling for us in Aughintober Regeneration with a long list of people and businesses giving freely of their time and resources. To see over 500 people enjoying a night of football and friendship in the village is what this project is all about and to raise some funds for the Alzheimer’s Society and the local hospice is an added bonus.”
He continued: “I would like to thank Sport NI, our local Council, the committee and members of Aughintober Regeneration, players, referees, supporters and all those who came along on the night to make the event a real success.”
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Weather for Dungannon
Thursday 23 May 2013
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 4 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 5 C to 12 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North
