The Peace Link Sports Complex bids farewell to its manager
THE Peace Link Sport Complex, Clones, has hosted a farewell get together for Fergal Corrigan, who has stepped down having served as Manager since 2014. Fergal plans to pursue new opportunities closer to his family home in the west of Ireland.
His time at the state-of-the-art sports and community facility – a non-profit facility designed to build better cross-border and cross-community relationships through sport – saw Fergal’s leadership drive very strong growth in membership, usage and success as a community sport and well-being hub.
He and his team were instrumental in expanding the facility’s offerings in a multitude of ways and programmes, including highlights such as a three-year Building Relationships
Through Sport programme allocated in 2014 to help promote peace-building in the Clones Erne East Area of counties Monaghan and Fermanagh.
While that was one particular highlight, a total of 76 programmes were completed over the three years of the project, with more than 5,000 people from the Clones Erne East region and further afield taking part.
Fergal and his team worked hard on many cross-border, crosscommunity initiatives, with the popular manager instrumental at all times in driving their success.
Project successes
As another example of project successes – one of many during Fergal’s time – 2017 saw an 18-month Peace Building Through Sports Programme allocated to the Peace Link in order to help promote peace-building through sport, particularly providing opportunities for engagement with minority sports such as basketball, outdoor pursuits, running, boxing, baseball and many other sports.
This included the opportunity for young people to engage in sports which are not considered to be the traditional sports of that section of the community.
Cross-border, cross-community sporting leagues provided an opportunity for sports to be linked across the geographical Border, helping to reconnect communities.
In addition to such laudable programmes, the Peace Link is firmly established as a key community social hub in the area, with 100-plus local community groups using its facilities.
“Fergal’s vision and hard work have been vital to The Peace Link’s success,” said Adrian Kelly, Chairman of The Peace Link.
“He has left an indelible mark on our community, and while Fergal will be greatly missed, he leaves behind a strong legacy that will inspire the future growth and reach of the sports facility.”
During Fergal’s tenure, The Peace Link received numerous accolades for its community service, including County Monaghan Volunteer group of the year 2022, and many other awards.
Fergal’s efforts not only improved the facility’s physical infrastructure, but also its community outreach programmes, touching the lives of thousands of residents in Clones Erne East Region, and beyond.
The Board and staff express their heartfelt gratitude to Fergal for his years of service and dedication to the community, and wish him all the best in his future endeavours.