Celebrations as GAA President Re-opens Cordal’s Pitch Today

Supporters availing of the welcome shelter of the new stand during the Garvey's SuperValu County Senior Football Championship first round game in Páirc na gCúlach in Cordal on Saturday evening. ©Photograph: john Reidy — The new stand at Páirc na gCúlach in Cordal has already come to the rescue of patrons in the course of our anything-but-summerlike season so far this year. ©Photograph: John Reidy

In the course of the wet spring of 2013 Cordal GAA Club members were sick to the teeth of being stuck in the mud.
One of the members, in particular, Richard O’Donoghue took a camera in hand and headed off on a meander up and down the field. In reality it was the only way to get the message across. There are times when words are not enough. Richard’s footage made Youtube records for Cordal events and painted the badly needed thousand words. Now, the cat was out of the bag. Out of the bag to the extent that several of the national newspapers jumped on the story and Cordal’s muddy secret was out for better.
Amazing Spell of Development
A self-help mode kicked in immediately and there followed a story than can only be told properly in a book some time. This amazing spell of development included a visit by then Uachtarán Cumann Luathcleas Gael, Liam O’Neill and RTÉ sports commentator, Marty Morrissey to a gala dinner at the community centre.

Cordal sports fan, Eddie Boyle pictured with the Sam Maguire Cup when it was brought on a visit to The Greyhound Bar in Castleisland after the 2000 All-Ireland campaign. Sam and its hurling counterpart, the Liam McCarthy Cup will meet in Cordal today. A meeting which rarely happens outside of Croke Park. ©Photograph: John Reidy 11-11-2000 — Cordal sports fan, Eddie Boyle pictured with the Sam Maguire Cup when it was brought on a visit to The Greyhound Bar in Castleisland after the 2000 All-Ireland campaign. Sam and its hurling counterpart, the Liam McCarthy Cup will meet in Cordal today. A rare happening outside of Croke Park.
©Photograph: John Reidy 11-11-2000

Back to the Future: Now, Páirc Na gCúlach will host a visit from newly elected Uachtarán Cumann Luithcleas Gael, Aogán O Fearghail later on today, Sunday, June 7th. The GAA president will officiate at the grand opening of the recently redeveloped pitch after a few preambles at 1.45pm. However, in pure Cordal style, the entertainment kicked off on Friday night .

“There’s something for all ages and we would love for everyone to come and view our fantastic new facilities and spend the afternoon with us here in Cordal,” said Cordal GAA Club PRO Nora Fealey.

Sunday’s events will flow as follows:
9:30am……Cordal Senior Club & Coiste na nOg take part in the Mass in Cordal Church.
12:00pm…. Cordal U-10s and U-12s play football games against neighbours Scartaglin.
1:00pm…… Cordal GAA Club welcomes the arrival of Uachtarán Cumann Lúthchleas Gael Aogán O’Fearghail
1:45pm….. The days ceremonies will begin with a speaker from: (1) Cordal GAA; (2) St Kieran’s Board; (3) East Kerry Board; (4) Kerry County Board; (5) Blessing of the pitch. (6) Jimmy Deenihan TD. (7) President CLG Aogán O Fearghail
2:30pm….. President O’Fearghail will give his speech and then cut the tape to officially re-open the pitch.
2:45pm….. Pipe Band will lead Cordal and Firies around the pitch for the senior game.
2:55pm….. Amhran na bhFiann.
3:00pm….. Senior game will commence.
3:30pm…. Cordal U-6s and U-8s play mini game at half time of senior game.
3:45pm……Barbecue by Caitriona Dennehy & family.
4:15pm….. Music by ‘Dan Dan Reidy’ will get up and running just as senior game finishes.
6:00pm….. Cordal GAA Club bids farewell to President Aogán.
There will be full bar facilities throughout the day. The Sam Maguire Cup will be in attendance for most of the day and the Liam McCarthy Cup will be doing a one hour stop-off visit in the course of the afternoon. You can get the whole lowdown on the club and its activities on the revamped website at: www.cordalgaa.com