Longford GAA sees another successful year at Punchestown Festival

The Longford GAA pavilion in Punchestown was filled to the brim with people from across the county last Wednesday.

It was abuzz with excitement for the festivities that were to come and the weather didn't disappoint either.

Those who were sat around the circular tables were dressed up in their glad rags ready to give their money to the multiple bookmakers dotted around the arena and in the pavilion itself in the hopes of a tidy sum in return.

What’s more the celebrity guest who was hosting the event, RTE's Marty Morrissey did a fabulous job of keeping the crowd in good spirits.

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Martin Skelly, chairperson of the Longford Race Day organising committee was over the moon with the turnout.

“Today is a special day for people all over the globe, we have people from New York, London, and many people from Dublin,” said Cllr Skelly as he gestured to the chattering room before him.

“There are many people from Dublin and Longford who have been here for many years.

“I’d like to thank the organising committee, which worked so hard in the background, and Steve and Marie Peters from Chazey Properties for sponsoring the event.

“There’s a thousand people here today.”

There wasn’t a single seat empty on Wednesday, the room was packed from wall to wall.

Martin had high hopes for the day and for the attendees.

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“I really hope, I pray that people will back a few winners, get a few pounds out of the events, it’s an expensive day out, but it’s for a good cause now, for Longford GAA.

“The gods have blessed us with a fine day, and hopefully the gods will give us out a few winners.”

Steve and Marie Peters were also present on the day. Steve spoke to the crowd about the importance of the day to Longford GAA and what an honour it was to be the sponsor of the event.

Speaking on how the sponsorship came about Stevn said, “I sent a message to the committee members asking if I could book a table for this year.

“The reply was, I’m actually at the committee meeting right now and would you know anyone who would be interested in sponsoring?

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“I took a moment, I spoke to Marie and messaged back saying Chazey Properties would like that cake and it kind of developed from there.”

Longford GAA has played a key role in Steve’s life in Ireland.

“I moved to Ireland in 2005. The GAA embraced me and I embraced the GAA.

“I have a lot of clients in Longford, a lot of business people that I know here today and it’s just an honour and a lovely marriage between myself and the people I do business with.”