St. Mary's GAA Asdee
12 Month Development Draw
15,000 EURO in Prizes

Monthly Prizes

10 per Month :: 50 for 6 Mths :: 100 for 12 Mths

With the reformation of St. Marys in 1986 it was the unanimous feeling within the parish that a playing pitch was needed at the earliest possible time. What was once described as a white elephant has finally been completed, standing proud in the community.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Kerry team, then All Ireland League Champions and Clare, the McGrath Cup champions at that time in 1997 for gracing our wonderful pitch on its opening day. It was a fitting tribute to the great Jack Walsh (RIP) whose name the field is named in honour after.

This mighty task began at the AGM of 1987 when a finance and field development comittee was formed to start the work of fulfilling the dream of Asdee having its own playing pitch and facilities. This comittee comprised of Michael O'Connor, Sean Doran, Eddie A. Walsh, Patsy Coughlan, Lar Breen, J.P. McElligott and Kevin Mulvihill. John Kennedy, Gerdie O'Carroll and Jim O'Connor joined this comittee at a later stage.

The first fundraising draw was at £5 per month for 10 months and was completed in early 1988. The first prize winners were Bridie Long, Anthony Mulvihill (RIP), Brendan King, Luke McElligott and Mike McNamara.

Over the next ten years a number of other fundraising draws took place together with dances, card playing, and pub quizzes to raise the necessary finance. Combined with Lotto and GAA grants, the comittee collected £160,000 which has been invested in the grounds.

In 1989 our first venture at purchasing a field was not very successful. Purchase was made pending planning permission which did not materialise. The club are very grateful to the seller and our solicitor Billy Keane, that the transaction was very speedily finalised without any financial loss to the club. A field was later purchased from the Kennedy/Kissane family and a special word of thanks for Padie Kennedy(RIP), for making this field available to the club.
Having acquired the field, a development plan was put together with the help of Kerry football and engineer Ger O' Keefe. Planning permission was granted and work began in 1990. This work involved removing top soil, levelling ground, inserting drainage, viewing bank, drawing gravel, replacing the top soil and seeding the pitch. This work was completed in 1991.

The next phase involved building the dressing rooms, which took place in early 1992. These were completed in 1993/94. The perimeter fence, dug-outs, painting, dressing rooms etc was completed by a FAS scheme of local workers in 1994. The final phase was the election of the stand which was completed in April 1997.

Scoreboard.
It was the wish of the late Tommy Kennedy (RIP) that a scorboard be erected on the pitch. This has kindly been sponsored by the Kennedy family and has been in use ever since. It is great to see 10 years of hard work come to a satisfying conclusion. Without the kind genorosity of the locals and adjoining communities this venture would not have been possible. This investment of £160,000 has been completed with out any borrowing from banks which is a tribue to everyone concerned.

Thanks.
To Michael O'Connor, who as chairman proved a good listener, very cool in a heated debate, a business man and very helpful indeed. To Jim O'Connor who when things needed to be done, i.e. tax number, lotto forms, etc and general donkey work, he cut through more red tape than alot of politicians.
To Eddie Anthony, a treasurer who had a lock on the money. Fort Knox would have been easier to invade. To Patsy, Lar, Kevin and J.P., great community workers; great salesmen.
Gerdie and John joined when things needed a lift. Card Sellers, too many to mention. These people can take a clap on the back today. Without them the opening of the pitch would not have been possible.