Kilmaine to launch major fundraiser on Sunday

A major fundraising drive will be launched in Kilmaine on Sunday next aimed at providing much-needed additional playing and training facilities at the local GAA grounds.

Kilmaine Community Ground was opened on May 31, 1987 and has served the young men and women of the area very well since then. Now the male and female arms of the club are looking to provide improved facilities for current and future generations and the ambitious fundraiser is an integral part of that initiative.

The www.winafusion4.com fundraiser will give entrants to chance to win a much-sought-after Fusion 4 Integrated Baler Wrapper while also supporting the development of facilities at the eye-catching venue.

The initiative will be launched directly after Sunday's intermediate championship match between the home side and Castlebar Mitchels, which throws in at 2pm.

History

Kilmaine GAA Club was formed on March 9, 1937. Present at the club's first meeting were Padraic Hyland, Sonny Burke, Jim Durcan, Tom Durcan, Mick Kelly, Jim Henneghan, Paddy McDonnell, Peter McHale, Johnny Molloy, Mick McHale, Paddy Curran, Charlie Cunnane, Jim Kelly and Christy Durcan.

The first competitive game played by a Kilmaine team was against Castlegar (Claremorris). One of the biggest crowds ever to attend a sporting event in the parish watched the game. After a thrilling encounter Kilmaine were defeated by a single point.

As decades passed, the need for a permanent home ground became paramount and in 1982 Kilmaine Community Council was formed. Its main purpose and objective was to develop facilities for the local community and primary to that was the provision of a community sports ground. A local committee worked tirelessly on the project and land was acquired on the Ballinrobe Road.

Tremendous work followed and in 1987 the pitch was officially opened when Mayo hosted Meath in a senior inter-county challenge.

Now, the club hopes to create new playing and training facilities alongside the main pitch and all details will be revealed at the fundraising launch on Sunday.