Landmark day for Kinnegad Juniors AFC

Kinnegad Juniors AFC moved another significant step closer to playing soccer on their new home on the Killucan Road, Kinnegad, with the turning of the sod just two weeks ago.Present were Jude Lagan and Tom McManus from Lagan cement along with club secretary David Flood and under 11 manager Michael Ronan. Also in attendance were Dave Connell from the FAI and local councillors Dan McCarthy and Pat McLoughlin. Representing Westmeath County Council was Maurice Stenson.The fledgling club have come a long way in their short history since setting up in 2005. They were formed out of the need to provide another sporting facility for the young people of Kinnegad and cater for boys and girls aged 6-18 years of age. They currently play their football at the back of the community hall on the Athlone road, which is kindly provided for by the parish in agreement with local parish priest Father Tom Gilroy.However two years ago they approached DFGM Properties from Galway, who own 78 acres on the Killucan Road and they very kindly presented the club with seven acres of their overall holding in Kinnegad. This magnificent contribution gave them the platform to turn their dream of a state-of-the-art soccer complex in Kinnegad into a reality.Kinnegad Juniors, AFC Chairman, Colm Gildea said: 'On behalf of the committee, players and everyone associated with Kinnegad Juniors AFC, I would like to convey my sincere thanks to everyone who has helped us reach this important milestone in our clubs short history. Especially to Lagan Cement, who have agreed to partner us on a very substantial sponsorship deal. Lagan Cement has been hugely supportive to the club to date, and their new financial backing provides the ideal opportunity for us to commence work on our site. Indeed the development will be known as "Lagan Park".We have been most fortunate to date in benefiting from the generosity of many people. Firstly, DFGM Properties from Galway and their magnificent contribution. Then the sponsorship secured with Lagan Cement which gives us the vital injection of funding to begin work at the site. We look forward to providing the youth of our area with a facility we can all take great pride in for years to come.'Kinnegad Juniors AFC, who with the likes of Mullingar Athletic are considered by many to be the rising stars of soccer in Westmeath, have recently been granted planning permission to build a new sports complex at Kinnegad"s Killucan Road, subject to 22 conditions.The club has also been granted outline planning permission by the Council to construct a two-storey sports/community centre building on site. The first phase of the development will see the development of new soccer grounds, including two soccer pitches, two all-weather pitches, car parking, a playground, spectators" stand, pitch side railings, nets, floodlighting, and the erection of temporary changing and shower facilities.The project was drawn up by Barry Williams, a Delvin native and architect with Hanley Taite Design Partnership, based in Virginia, Co. Cavan. It is all part of an ambitious plan to make Kinnegad Juniors one of the top soccer clubs for young people in the Midlands.Earlier last year the club held a tremendously successful auction night in the Hilamar Hotel, Kinnegad, which received an endorsement from the Chief Executive of the Football Association of Ireland, John Delaney, as well as support from legendary Irish goalkeeper Packie Bonner, and one of Ireland"s favourite sports commentators, Jimmy Magee. The night was so successful that another is planned for Friday 30th of this month, again in the Hilamar Hotel. Special guest this time will be ex Ireland and Liverpool legend Ronnie Whelan. Further details will be published next week.David Flood, the club"s under 15 manager and club secretary said that he was delighted that the project is set to begin adding 'Fundraising is our priority at the moment. Mr. Flood said that the club was 'very grateful' to Westmeath County Council, and also to the local public representatives especially Pat McLoughlin and Dan McCarthy. 'We"d also like to pay tribute to Barry Williams and the team at Hanley Taite Design Partnership for the effort and creativity they"ve put into designing the complex,' said Mr. Flood.Local FAI development officer Dave Connell said that the FAI were fully behind the project and they would do whatever they could to support and help in the future development of the clubs impressive and very professional plans for junior soccer for the area.Kinnegad Juniors AFC currently caters for 120 members, and this number is growing along with Kinnegad"s population. Boys teams up to Under 17 level are entered in the Athlone and District Leagues (4 teams) and the North Dublin League (2 teams). With the advent of the club"s new grounds around the corner, they hope to organise girls" teams in the near future, and eventually a senior team.The future looks bright for soccer in Kinnegad!