Armagh v Galway 23rd May - Clonmore Pitch Opening

[Bainisteoir]

Armagh club, Clonmore Robert Emmets have pulled off a major coup for the opening of their new building and pitch development on Sunday 23rd May.
Former Armagh boss Joe Kernan will bring the Galway senior team to face his native county for the occasion. "We're absolutely delighted to have secured Galway and Armagh for what will be one of the biggest days in the Clubs history," said Clonmore Chairman Dominic Molloy. 'To be honest when we contacted both camps they had no hesitation in seizing the opportunity to be part of the celebration, and were more than helpful.

The big day for one of the smallest clubs in the country will bring a host of dignitaries for the occasion. GAA President Christy Cooney will attend and will perform the official opening duties, newly elected Ulster President, Aogan Farrell, Ladies GAA President Pat Quill and Armagh County Chairman Paul Duggan will also be in attendance.

"The Club feel really honoured that so many of the GAA top brass have agreed to take time out of their very busy schedules to come along and support us. Who better to open your facilities than the President of the Association," said Mr Molloy. "It took a fair bit of planning and work to set a date that suited everyone given the hectic diaries of all those involved. We also had to wait until Championship dates were fixed before we could look at possible contenders for an
intercounty challenge game. Obviously Armagh as the home side was a priority and Paddy O'Rourke said he would help us out not long after he was appointed Armagh manager, Big Joe was thrilled when we approached him about the possibilities of bringing a Galway side to face his native Orchard County." Clonmore will have an additional reason to proudly welcome the Armagh side in that one of their own - Brendan Donaghy, who was hugely influential in Armaghs successful National League campaign recently will lead the team to face Galway.

The day itself will see the club open a new building incorporating changing rooms, showers and toilets with a meeting room and gym facilities upstairs. "It may be small by some standards but we're a small club with limited resourses and we didnt want something inpractical or leaving us with a huge debt from building and costly to maintain. Having come from a situation of never having had proper facilities we're rightly proud of what we now have in place. At our old pitch beside the river Blackwater teams togged out in their cars, since we moved up to the new site a few years ago we have used old temporary huts which while they served a purpose, had no showers and are now well past their sell by date.
The ribbon will also be cut on the clubs pitch which is widely regarded as one of the best surfaces in the country. "We have been using the pitch for a number of years now but have never officially opened it largely due to the absence of changing facilities, on the 23rd May we'll put that one to bed. We've a fantastic club and community here in Clonmore and everyone has really got their shoulder behind the wheel to make sure we had the proper facilty, everyone lending their talents and expertise across various fields from manual labour to fundraising to helping with running the club and coaching etc."

We're calling on support from the GAA fraternity across the country, and it will be a great occasion,
with some of the best football talent on the field, and sideline. Admission to the game is £5 with
family concessions.

[mrgaa1]

Good luck to all and great to see the admission price, £5 and family concessions, being used.

[ardmhachaabu]

Where is that pitch lads?

If it is reachable by bus I will be there!

[sliothar]

Well done to all involved hope the day goes well.

[bigpaul]

Where is that pitch lads?

If it is reachable by bus I will be there!

Wouldn't give much for your chances by bus on a Sunday, although I couldn't be sure.The easiest way to direct you would be to go to the Coalisland roundabout on the M1 and head for Maghery,then take right after Saltmarine carsales and then immediately right again,the pitch is on the left about a mile up the road from there.

[Sinner]

For anyone not sure about how to get to Clonmore -
it will be signposted from Traynors on the Armagh Moy Rd, and from junctions 13 & 14 (Loughgall or Coalisland turn off) on the M1 motorway.
Or set your satnav for BT71 6HX and you can't go wrong, just look out for the green and gold flags!
A big day for the club and we've been told that both Armagh & Galway are looking forward to a stern challenge in the game
Look forward to seeing you all there.

[Clonmore]

Where is that pitch lads?

If it is reachable by bus I will be there!

Hi. There will be signs from all main routes. It might be best to share a car or get a group into a taxi for parking. We are 10 miles from Portadown and Dungannon right beside the M1, 10 miles from Armagh, 15 miles from Lurgan, 30 miles from Newry and 35 from Belfast. You might want to leave extra time as parking / traffic will likely be a problem and this is normally a fairly busy road even on a Sunday.

Map

Google Maps

[corn02]

Best of luck, hope to get up to it.

[bennydorano]

Hope you have big plans in place for parking.

[Sinner]

Dont worry bennydorano, if they come we'll get them parked!