Speech by the Taoiseach, Mr. Brian Cowen, T.D., at the Official Opening of the new All Weather Pitch at Lucan Sarsfields GAA Club on Sunday, 31 January, 2010 at 4.00pm
A dhaoine uaisle.
Tá an-áthas orm a bheith i bhur measc tráthnóna chun na háiseanna nua seo do Chumann na Sáirséalaigh Leamhcáin a oscailt go hoifigiúil. Inniu tosnaítear ré nua i stair an gCluib leis na háiseanna iontach seo. Comhghairdeachas libh go léir.
Ladies and Gentlemen.
It is a great pleasure to be with you here at one of the oldest and best known clubs in Dublin - Lucan Sarsfields GAA Club - to officially open the new all weather pitch. Today's event marks the culmination of the latest chapter in the ongoing development of facilities for the club.
The club's 1,700 strong membership testifies to the great love of Gaelic games here in Lucan. Indeed, interest in GAA has not only kept pace with population growth in this area but has far surpassed it. This didn't come about by accident, of course. It's all down to the individual club officials, mentors, members and parents and I would like to pay tribute to them today for their commitment and hard work.
I would like to pay tribute in particular to Paul Stapleton, Seán Ó Conghaile and Eoghan Williams for their work in securing funding for these excellent facilities. They got great support from the local community. The draw was a huge success, for example and without it, the pitch wouldn't have become a reality. Luke Moriarty was, of course, extremely generous in his sponsorship of the draw. And the GAA Leinster Council came up to the mark as well.
We have become increasingly aware of the importance of sports participation for developing physical and mental health, whether we are young, old or in between! The policy of this Government has always been about increasing participation in sport and we continue to play our part in bringing this about through a range of policies, including the ongoing implementation of the Sports Capital Programme.
Under the Programme, which is operated by the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism, funding is allocated for sports facilities at national, regional and local level. €725 million has been allocated to over 7,400 projects since 1998. This year alone, €48 million has been provided to different clubs and organisations.
This new pitch for Lucan Sarsfields was allocated a grant of €250,000 in 2007 under the Sports Capital Programme.
A further €680,000 was also allocated under the Programme in the past decade. This is the largest sporting infrastructure project to be completed in this area in the last year.
I am confident that it will go a long way in helping to drive participation in Gaelic games in the Lucan area for many years to come.
Lucan Sarsfields has seen many victories, spanning football, ladies' football, camogie and hurling over its long and distinguished lifetime. From the outset in the 1880s, it has brought pride to the community and boosted morale, even in the most difficult economic times. Many of its players have gone on to represent their county in the Dublin Senior hurling and football teams, including Paul Casey, Stephen Shaughnessy and Jack Sheedy. Brothers Tommy and Declan Carr have made it to the top in their respective paths of football and hurling.
Camogie has thrived beyond expectations and I was very pleased to hear that your team won the under 14 Féile na nGael Competition at national level in 2008. While - dare I say - football prowess has always been associated with the Dubs, it can also be said that Lucan Sarsfields has also played its part in the resurgence of hurling we are seeing in the capital. It is no wonder Lucan Sarsfields is one of the fastest growing clubs in Dublin.
I am sure that it will go from strength to strength in the years ahead. The club has had a proud past and has laid the ground work for a very bright future. May I wish you all every success and many, many enjoyable games on the new pitch.
Thank you.
ENDS.