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A DRAMATICALLY expanding East Kerry GAA club, Firies is set to go to the dogs in a bid to create a field of dreams. The club is planning a night out at the Kingdom Greyhound Stadium in Tralee on October 22 to raise funds for the development of phase one of its second pitch in Ballyvarrig, Firies.

The club has purchased over seven acres near the heart of Firies village with the intention of developing the land as a juvenile football pitch, along with dressing rooms, and car park facilities. This proposed development is a direct response by the club to the sharp rise in numbers in the juvenile age groups and to cater for the future of this expanding club.

A working group of Firies GAA members has been tasked with organising a fun-packed race night on October 22 in Kingdom Greyhound Race Track in order to kick-start phase one.

Frances Henderson, representing the working group, said: “We have approached many different organisations within our community and further afield and thankfully, the response has gone far beyond our expectations. This is indeed a community effort to kick-start the vision and it is uplifting to see the community supporting the GAA.”

Frances added: “Our Coiste na nÓg age groups have being growing from strength to strength and we also cater for our young hurlers, which is very popular with our juvenile groups."

Bridie Breen, chairperson of Firies GAA, said the club is grateful to all who have donated so generously. "People’s generosity and support of the club has always been very strong within our GAA family but since the news of this exciting proposal, our club has been has been overwhelmed with open-handedness from the Firies diaspora overseas as well as our own homestead advocates from the parishes of Firies, Farranfore and Ballyhar which encompass the club.”

If anyone is interested in supporting this exciting phase of the project, email firiesgaanightatthedogs@gmail.com and one of our club officials will make contact with you.
 

 
Above: Firies GAA chairperson Bridie Breen, Stella O'Shea, Jerome Crowley, Farranfore Maine Valley Athletics, Tim Clifford, Paudie Deniel and Frances Henderson with some of our Firies GAA's juvenile footballers.