Opening of Astro-turf Pitches

By: Diarmaid Doherty (Donegal Democrat)

Monday evening's opening of the new 435,000 euro astro turf pitch development at the Finn Valley complex in Stranorlar marks another proud achievement in the success story of Finn Valley AC.

The four new 5-a-side pitches, which boast high quality synthetic grass surfaces, have been in huge demand since they were opened to the public a few months back. And the project is the latest in a long line of developments that have propelled the Twin Towns facility into one of the most popular and successful sporting centres in the North West.

The new pitches were officially opened on Monday evening by Republic of Ireland team manager, Brian Kerr who was joined in Stranorlar by his wife Angela. Brian, a long time friend of Finn Valley chairman, Patsy McGonagle, was high in his praise for the efforts of the local club.

However, Patsy himself feels there is more that can be done to make the centre even better. Addressing Monday evening's opening, Patsy spoke of the advantages that a sporting centre like Finn Valley's can have for a place like the Twin Towns. "It would also be foolish of me not to acknowledge what's going on around us here in this community," he said. "We have lost jobs and we have basically lost two factories which has put us in a position where we are at a loss. "I sincerely believe that the future is through sport and recreation and through the development of a regional centre. "I have been banging the drum on that for a long, long time. I think the challenge is there for us, in partnership with Donegal County Council to develop that. We have to provide jobs, a focus and a lot of positivity in this area and community. "Donegal County Council have bought land adjoining here. It's recreational zoned and we have to make sure it remains so. We in Finn Valley are prepared to work strongly and strenuously in that partnership."

Patsy McGonagle said the new pitches were the latest in a long line of projects put in place at Finn Valley. He recalled how the club was first established when a group of local youngsters began to take an interest in athletics. "About 30 odd years ago, the club started with around 30 youngsters running at the gaelic pitch in Ballybofey. It all developed from that and soon the derelict factory at this site became available. It was a pretty dire place but we were delighted to get in and to have a place of our own," he said. "We got many other opportunities over the years and we pursued them. We had a lot of help from politicians both locally and nationally. We also had dedicated committees here who raised literally millions of pounds to pursue our dream of developing a facility of this nature.

The latest venture cost the club 435,000 euro and Patsy acknowledged the contribution of former Minister for Sport, Dr. James McDaid who allocated funding of 80,000 euro. "We thought naively that we could build these pitches for something like 120,000 euro but it didn't work like that," he explained. "The situation in the Finn Valley now is that we are 350,000 euro in debt. But we're in control and have no problem with repayments. We're in a good position and have good facilities in place." "It's an ambitious plan based on 40 or 50 sound and solid local people who work in this club in different ways, be it in coaching, committees or working in the centre." "I want to pay tribute to them. There have been other people before them but we have mighty people at the minute." He added: "People complain that there are no volunteers and there is no help. But I've got all the help in the world."

Not long after Finn Valley AC took over the derelict factory along Stranorlar's Railway Road and made it their new home, John Willie McNulty was training a local junior soccer team in the Twin Towns. Some 30 years later, John Willie is now chairman of the county's League of Ireland team, where the coaches and players are all availing of the Stranorlar complex. "Patsy McGonagle made that amenity open to me all those years ago and things haven't changed since," he said. "And as Chairman of Finn Harps, I'm happy to say that my players and the coaches are all benefitting from these excellent facilities. Brian Kerr has told me that the grass that's been laid is the very best that's available."

Among the other special guests at Monday evening's launch was local TD, Pat the Cope Gallagher. He said he was delighted to be here in the company of Mr. Finn Valley himself, Patsy McGonagle, his wife Rosaleen and indeed all of the people who have done so much for the club over the years. "We can be all very proud of the facilities here but if we roll back a number of years and imagine what was here before, then only can we fully appreciate the tremendous work that has been done," he said. "I have been associated with Patsy for a number of years. He's a man of vision and we can see his commitment and dedication for the young people not only in the Twin Towns but for the county as a whole. "It's a magnificent achievement and it's wonderful to have a man of the calabre of Brian Kerr here tonight to perform the official opening of the new pitches."

McGonagle a man of vision - Brian Kerr

Brian Kerr is a man whose happiest when he's on the sideline of a soccer pitch, watching the action at no matter what level of standard On Monday night, after performing the official opening of the impressive new astro-turf facilities at the Finn Valley complex, the Republic boss had hardly finished his speech when he stole away to catch the second half of Finn Valley Ladies' league win over Fanad United on the main pitch. Earlier in the day, he used his visit to the county to show his face at the FAI's underage summer soccer camps at Central Park, Keadue and in nearby Convoy.

The game of soccer is in his blood - it always has been. It's taken him all around the world as underage manager with a host of Irish teams. It's brought him the length and breadth of Ireland and he recalled coming to this county as part of the Kevin Street College team back in the early '70s when he said Donegal seemed a world away. It was then that Brian first struck up a friendship with Patsy McGonagle who was manager of Letterkenny's Regional College team. It's a friendship that has grown stronger over the years and both men are still doing more than their bit for sport both at a local and national level.

And just like Patsy, the importance of development at grassroots level is not lost on Brian Kerr. "People talk about the success of my teams over the years, but at the back of all that, there are thousands of volunteers all over the country," he told Monday evening's event. "You need a support structure behind you. And without that commitment and dedication at a local level, there is no final product. Unless we have a huge participation base in sport, we don't have any chance as we get up the ladder." "In Dublin, the Finn Valley club has a reputation. People at the FAI started telling me about it two years ago, but I could have told them about it 20 years ago because I knew Patsy McGonigle. "I don't think there is any man with greater vision for sport in Ireland than Patsy. I'm not just talking about athletics, but all aspects of sport. "He has a desire and a will to develop facilities. It's never 'we can't do it' with Patsy, it's always 'let's get on with it." "And the benefits of his work are seen across this community. You here tonight that Brian McEniff's Donegal team are using these facilities as are Johnny Speak's Finn Harps. "I'm sure there are lots of other sporting organisations here too and why not? Thanks be to God we've moved on and a lot of the narrow thinking that we had in sport in the past has gone away." Referring to the new astro turf pitches now in place at the Finn Valley centre, Brian Kerr said the surfaces are the best he has seen in the country. "I mean that, it's a brilliant surface - brilliant for training. And I hope it's well used and people get enjoyment out of these pitches," he said. "These new pitches add a new dimension to a centre that really is a credit to all involved with the club."

McGonagle's contribution to Donegal sport in general

Patsy McGonagle's input to sport reaches far beyond the bounds of athletics and his beloved Finn Valley AC. Back in the mid-'90s, Donegal team manager, PJ McGowan took Patsy on board as trainer with the county panel. And current team manager, Brian McEniff was also happy to make Patsy part of the coaching set-up when he took over this year. "I'd like to recognise the work that he has done for the GAA in this county," Brian said. "Thanks Patsy, for your input in training the team at the very early stages of the year. You were also here for us when a lot of people had thrown us into the tide and said goodbye." "But we're still there alive and kicking and hopefully on Saturday week, we'll give a message to the defeated Ulster finalists that we're still here." Brian complimented Finn Valley on the success of their centre. "We have used the facility ourselves this year and it's unreal the amount of development that has taken place." The county team manager also offered a warm welcome to Brian Kerr on behalf of all the Gaels of Donegal and the sports people of the county He also gave a welcome to Patsy McGowan who was among the large crowd who attended the event. "I read your column in the paper every week," he said. "You did great work in your time in Finn Park and how could we ever forget the good times that yourself and the late Fran Fields brought to this county over the years." Among the other special guests at the opening ceremony were local councillors Alice Bonner, J.J. Reid and Patrick McGowan.