A double dose of Friday-night celebration served in Banteer
LOCALS TAKE A LOOK THROUGH 100 YEARS OF SPORTING HISTORY THANKS TO NEW DVD AND A WEALTH OF ARCHIVE MATERIAL, WHILE LAUNCH TAKES PLACE FOR €1.4MILLION SPORTS FACILITY DEVELOPMENT
IT was a double dose of celebration in Banteer on Friday night, as both a ramble down 100 years of sporting history and the launch of a mammoth €1.41m project took place.
Jerry Sheehan, former MD of Avonmore Electrical, prepared a very unique slice of history for Banteer as he launched his DVD of 100 years of Banteer Sports history.
In addition, there was also another ramble down memory lane as old paper cuttings, photographs and sports posters were all put on display.
Mr Sheehan and Fr Paddy Byrne took to the stage and gave great recollections of key events in Banteer sport.
Sports meetings were held in Banteer as early as May 1886. In later times, the future World Champion, Denis Horgan of Fermoyle, Banteer, secured his first win in the 16lb shot.
Since the late 1800s up to 1987, Banteer Sports was held nearly every year in various locations such as Daniel O’Callaghan’s field (Kanturk Road) near the old Church at Inchidaly, Buckley’s field (Glenwoord estate now) and from 1952 at the current Banteer Sportsfield.
The Banteer venue was also convenient for travel from Cork and Dublin as it was adjacent to Banteer Railway Station and was also served by a Newmarket-to-Banteer rail line which was opened in 1891.
The 1909 sports which took place was advertised as the Grand Jubilee celebration, to acknowledge Canon Morrissey’s silver Jubilee as President of the Sports committee.
Other famous stars included Dr Pat O’Callaghan, and in 1926 he made amends for his previous unsuccessful participation by recording a double in the 56-lbs over-the-bar, and the high jump.
Almost exactly two years after his successful participation at Banteer, Dr Pat O’Callaghan’s name was to become a household name, with his hammer victory at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics.
In late 1951, progress continued apace in the excavation and levelling of the new sportsfield, with an oval cinder track banked at the ends for safety of cyclists; and the creation of an inner grass track. 1952 brought another milestone in the proud athletic history of the area, when the new sportsfield was officially opened.
Banteer Sports continued to grow in stature during the 1950s, and the venue got its just reward when it staged the All-Ireland championships in 1965 and again in 1966, with the National championships also being held in Banteer in 1970 and 1972.
While there was very much an eye on its sporting historical past, there is now very much a positive surge towards its sporting future.
Secretary Denis Withers presented a detailed overview of the €1.41 million development project, and he thanked all associated with its development and funding. In particular, he paid thanks to the Trojan help of Maura Walsh and her team at IRD Duhallow, along with Minister Michael Creed and Cllr John Paul O’Shea.
Planning has been secured for the mammoth sporting development, and work is expected to commence this June, with completion due in early spring.
Mr Withers also acknowledged the financial support from all local companies and those who support the annual draw each year. A special presentation was also made by Mr Withers to Mr Sheehan, which acknowledged his dedication to Banteer Sports and its history.
Minister Michael Creed said the fine presentation, which traces the history of Banteer Sports,
I SALUTE THE TREMENDOUS EFFORTS OF THE COMMITTEE AND AM CONFIDENT THAT BANTEER WILL DELIVER ON THIS PROJECT
“is a credit” to Jerry Sheehan.
“I salute the tremendous efforts of the local committee and am confident that Banteer will deliver on this project. It will be a template for other rural communities,” he said. He also said that the ambitious plans and projects are well led by Mr Withers, and acknowledged the “sweat of the local community with assistance from IRD Duhallow”.
CEO of IRD Duhallow Maura Walsh said: “Not only has this region done a huge amount of work for its community, it has also supplied them with fantastic board members over the years.
“This very ambitious project is now underway. You had everything planned, and we at IRD Duhallow were delighted to be able to help under the Rural Regeneration Development Fund. There was a lot of hard work, and this tremendous project finally came together so, really, it is well done to all. By this time next year, we’ll be cutting a ribbon,” she said.
Cllr John Paul O’Shea (FG) said he was delighted to work with the group and assist in sourcing and securing funding for the project. Cllr Gearoid Murphy (FF) said he would also help in any way possible.
Fr Winter said he was delighted that this project would happen in the local area, and he wished the group well.
The major grant of €1.28m towards the development project stems from the Government’s Rural Regeneration and Development fund. The grant aid is up to 80 per cent funding, and the community needed to raise €285,000. They have already raised €50,000, which brings the figure to €235,000 of matching funds to complete the full €1.41m project.
The sports DVD can be ordered before the end of April from Denis Withers at a cost of €20.