Good man John... FAI row in with €100k for new astro pitch

SPORTING circles in Castleisland are reverberating of late with the wonderful news that John Delaney and the FAI have rowed in behind the Castleisland AFC / Castleisland Community College Astro Turf Pitch project.

And rowed in to the tune of €100,000 at that. “Following on from the two hugely successful lip sync battles which were greatly supported by the whole community, and the €59,000 sports capital grant from Brendan Griffin TD, we are now delighted to announce we have received funding of €100,000 from John Delaney and the FAI for the full size all-weather artificial turf playing pitch,” said a delighted Castleisland AFC spokesman Neil O’Sullivan.

“This is fantastic news and shows the belief and backing John Delaney and the FAI have for this project. The dream is getting very close to becoming a reality. Just what George deserves for all the hard work he has done over the years for the community,” said Mr O’Sullivan in a clear reference to one of Castleisland’s truly unsung heroes, Georgie O’Callaghan.

Georgie is well got by the top brass of the FAI and by John Delaney in particular. This is now borne out by the fact that as soon as the club here had concrete proposals to show them, the FAI has proved that it wouldn’t found wanting.

Great credit is also due to Patrick O’Rourke, Castleisland AFC and Carmel Kelly, principal of Castleisland Community College and their teams for the foresight in devising the joint project in the first place and for creating something unique for the good of this and neighbouring parishes.

A great day for sport in Castleisland in general and well done to all behind the project.

Photo by: John Reidy The regard in which Georgie O’Callaghan is held by the FAI top men was reflected in monetary terms this week with the announcement of the €100,000 grant for the development of the astro turf pitch. Georgie is pictured here with FAI Chief Executive John...