The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Club is where the heart is for Gneeveguilla GAA
THE scale of community interaction within a GAA club is incalculable in terms of its social value, and while it might sound a tad cliché to say a GAA club is the cornerstone of a community, in Gneeveguilla this is certainly the case.
The club’s annual Carnival Weekend is one such opportunity to put the focus squarely back on the need to support the club, which is a major part of community life. A new car park and training field have recently been added to the club’s grounds, which has enhanced its overall capacity to host and prepare for games.
The good news is Gneeveguilla GAA has no intention of resting on its laurels. The club recently purchased a new piece of ground and they are currently finalising the final stage of that payment. An event like this weekend’s carnival helps get such fundraising drives over the line, said Chairman of Gneeveguilla Gaa Club, Pat Barry.
“Our plan is to develop an all-weather pitch and floodlights in the next 5 to 10 years. In the last three years we’ve put new drainage in, fencing, a new car park, electronic scoreboard, and new dugouts. It’s all about thinking ahead,” Pat said.
He added that it’s about people pulling together for the greater good of the community. Gneeveguilla GAA Club makes its facilities available to everyone, including sports like basketball, athletics and walking. The hall is also used throughout the year by both the local Irish and national schools.
“Everything goes on in our hall and we’re proud of this. If you have a strong football club it reflects very well on the community. It’s important to keep people, young and old, staying active.”
Pat concluded: “We’re very fortunate at the moment to have an abundance of young people between the ages of 17 and 21. Hopefully this will carry us up the ranks in the years ahead. We also have a group of very hard working committee members who go above and beyond the call of duty for the club. I can’t thank all the local businesses that support us enough. We go cap in hand to them every year and there is never a problem.”