REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MCALEESE AT THE OPENING OF THE BALLINAMEEN GAA PITCH BALLINAMEEN, CO. ROSCOMMON
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MCALEESE AT THE OPENING OF THE BALLINAMEEN GAA PITCH BALLINAMEEN, CO. ROSCOMMON SUNDAY, 2ND MAY 1999
Tá lúcháir mhór orm go bhfuil mé ábalta bheith anseo libh inniú, agus ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a chur in iúl daoibh as an chuireadh, agus as fáilte a bhí caoin, cneasta, agus croiúil.
Firstly, may I sincerely congratulate you on your tremendous achievement in completing these facilities, as I can appreciate the enormous effort it took in raising the necessary finance in a small area such as Ballinameen. The fact that we are now at a stage where this pitch is in use is a testament to the dedication of people such as Fr Frank McGauran, President of the Club, Kieran Callaghan, the Chairman, and Anne McLoughlin, the Club Secretary. All of these people, along with the other Committee members, deserve immense credit as indeed do the people of Ballinameen. Today we gather to take pride in what a community can do by harnessing its own energy – its own resources. We all care about our young people; we know how much they benefit from sport whether as participants, supporters, club members. We know how important it is that they have a place to develop their talents, to build friendships, to feel both respected and part of a community that cares.
The GAA is a hugely important contributor to community life the length and breadth of Ireland. It has been a crucial heartland of our sense of identity and pride at local and county level. The friendships and networks involve players, families, generations. Old rivalries melt into lifelong friendships. It has given generations a place to gather, to store up shared memories, to take pride in the self, in the team, in our own parish or county.
Nowhere is this more true than in an area such as Ballinameen. Clubs such as this provide a focal point for community life, and are a source of enormous pride to the entire area. Particularly, of course, when you have players of the calibre of this minor team, the deserving winners of the 1998 County Minor League Final. I can claim, of course, that it is no coincidence at all that a cousin of mine, Jason McDermott, played his part in the victory. It is a privilege and a pleasure for me to have been asked to present you with your medals. Let me say in advance – well done, to you, your Manager Donal Costello, Captain, Gary Hanly, your Selectors and everyone associated with the team. We are all proud of you.
I would also like to pay tribute to the many volunteers who have freely given endless hours of their time, with dedication and passion, to ensure the success of this club. You deserve great credit for passing on this living part of our heritage to the next generation, not only for the sake of young players, but for all of us, parents, friends and supporters alike, who benefit from the enjoyment, friendship and sense of friendly rivalry that Gaelic Games have given us. We have all benefited from your commitment, not least this minor team, and we all owe you our heartfelt thanks. I, like so many parents, owe a lot to the people who run clubs, who give their lives to them. Without them what would fill these gaps for our young people? You keep our young people healthy, happy, you show them how important it is to develop their talents and then give something back to others. You are great witnesses.
Guím gach rath oraibh agus ar an Chumann. Gura fada buan sibh.
Go raibh míle maith agaibh.