New pitch a giant leap into the future for Castledawson

St Malachy’s Gaelic Athletic Club Castledawson celebrated the official opening of their new pitch at Broagh Road recently in the presence of GAA President Christy Cooney, Derry Chairman John Keenan, County Development Officer Damian McKane, Sport Northern Ireland’s Brian Mc Cargo, and Sean Henry Magherafelt District Council.

St Malachy’s Chairman Sean Cushley said “Today the Castledawson Club has realized a long held dream. The Club now has outstanding facilities available for our local community. The new floodlit pitch will provide the club with more training facilities to assist its playing members. This evening also marks the opening of the car park which had been extended to assist spectators. St Malachy’s is deeply indebted to Croke Park, Sport Northern Ireland, Ulster Council GAA, Magherafelt District Council, St Malachy’s own Development Committee and the local community for their generous financial support which has made today’s developments possible.”

Derry County GAA Chairman, John Keenan, who hails from Castledawson, said “This marks a milestone in the development of the club. I take great pleasure in what I see before me. Everyone should be very proud of what we have achieved. ”

It was then left to GAA President Christy Cooney to declare the pitch officially opened: “It’s an absolute pleasure to be here, I would like to congratulate all those involved in the development of this wonderful pitch and you the Club members. I hope you make maximum use of the fantastic facilities you have here.”

“This pitch is a reminder of the hard work of the generations who have gone before and an investment in the future”