Milestone day as Ballymahon GAA unveils impressive new walkway
During a visit to Longford, Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD cut the ribbon and officially opened the upgraded facilities in Leo Casey Park, Ballymahon
On a milestone day in the annals of Ballymahon GAA, the club were honoured to welcome Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD and Longford County Council Cathaoirleach Garry Murtagh to officially open the new walkway, fencing and planting project at Leo Casey Park on Thursday, May 21.
Leo Casey Park has been transformed in recent years, with a huge volume of work being undertaken by a dedicated committee.
Development work started with the erection of match-standard LED floodlighting in 2024 to replace the original lights. 2025 saw the club going digital, with the overhaul of their old scoreboard. No longer will volunteers have to perch precariously on a ladder to post the ‘home’ and ‘away’ lettering!
Substitutes and management can now finally sit in comfort on the sideline, courtesy of the new precast dugouts.
Autumn 2025 saw the sod turning and commencement of the club’s most ambitious development to date.
Despite the worst weather conditions in recent memory, Fencing Matters completed outstanding work to construct a community walkway around the playing field. Ballymahon GAA would like to thank them for their commitment to this project and for their quality workmanship.
For the first time, Leo Casey Park is now fully enclosed by a high-quality fence and spectator railing. The results of the work are visually striking and it is worth coming down to check it out. It is also worth highlighting that the walkway is open for use free-of-charge by the entire community.
At the official opening event, Vice-Chairperson Christy Mannion was an efficient Master of Ceremonies and ensured that proceedings were kept on track.
Longford County Council Cathaoirleach Garry Murtagh and Ballymahon Municipal District Cathaoirleach Martin Skelly both praised the development being undertaken by the club, and even managed to introduce a bit of inter-club rivalry into their speeches.
Fr Liam Murray and Canon Christiaan Snell added an important element to proceedings as they took part in an ecumenical blessing of the new facilities.
Then it was the turn of Minister Calleary to declare the new walkway officially open. During an engaging speech, he emphasised how important projects like the walkway are to the local community. The Minister then unveiled a commemorative plaque, ably assisted by Cllr Murtagh, before proceeding to cut the ribbon on the new development.
Longford County Council Chief Executive, Paddy Mahon, then brought the formal proceedings to a close with a witty speech that also left those present in no doubt of the Council’s support for communities across the county.
As this was one of the Chief Executive’s last official functions in the Ballymahon area before retiring, the club would like to wish him a very happy retirement. All those present then gathered in the clubhouse, where thanks are due to Cooney’s Hotel and the club’s hospitality committee for the excellent spread that was laid on. Thanks also to Frank McGrath, as he captured the event for posterity in his ever-obliging, unobtrusive way. And to Jenny White for all her work creating the balloon columns and providing the ribbon for the occasion.
Ballymahon GAA were heartened by the huge turnout of supporters and sponsors from across the community and hope they enjoyed the afternoon. In particular, they were delighted to welcome Club Presidents, Phil Ronayne & Albert Fallon, and Vice-Presidents, Mel Duncan and John Ryan. The club hopes these legends are proud of the developments that the current committee have brought to fruition, knowing how far they and countless others brought the club in leaner times.
The club were also delighted to offer a ‘Ballymahon Bienvenue’ to the residents of Landevantl, who in a happy coincidence were also in town to celebrate the silver anniversary of the Ballymahon Landevant twinning, chief among them their Mayor Pascale le Clave and his wife Fabian.
In a true measure of community partnership, the club were also delighted that representatives of the Ballymahon Men’s Shed were able to be present. The club is more than happy to be able to offer them a place to call home until they can realise that aspiration for themselves.
Ballymahon GAA are grateful that so many dignitaries attended the opening, which in itself is a mark of the esteem in which the club is held. Aside from the aforementioned, the club also welcomed Minister of State Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran; Deputy Micheál Carrigy; Senators Joe Flaherty and Paraic Brady; Ballymahon Municipal District Leas-Cathaoirleach Sean Mimnagh; Councillors Pat O’Toole, Paul Ross, Martin Monaghan and David Cassidy; Longford County Council Director of Services Samantha Healy and Longford GAA County Board Chairperson Derek Fahy. At this time, all at Ballymahon GAA Club send our best wishes to Councillor Mick Cahill for a speedy recovery.
Ballymahon GAA expressed thanks to the Department of Rural and Community Development, and Longford County Council for their generous assistance, without which this project would not have been brought to fruition. The results speak for themselves and the club look forward to welcoming supporters, both home and away, to enjoy games in comfort at their upgraded facilities.