It's not often that a small rural club gets the chance to showcase their efforts to the nation but for one little club, nestled in a corner bordering Munster to the South and Connacht to the West and steeped in hurling folklore, that is all about to change. After many years of tireless development work on the extensive grounds and facilities, and many months of organising, Lusmagh GAA Club are in the final days of preparation for the Officially Opening of their new Clubhouse on Sunday next, May 9th.

Turning the clock back to more humble times, and the hurlers of Lusmagh were travelling the length and breadth of the parish, moving from one temporary home to another. Having acquired 'Francie's Field' and seemingly set up camp, the ever progressive committee still weren't content and in 1985, the present grounds were acquired and since then there have been many, many developments. Having undertaken and completed what can only be described as a 'mountain' or work. June 1990 saw the club officially open their new home, complete with new dressing rooms in the form of a prefab building purchased from the ESB. The wonderful occasion was marked by an inter county challenge between the greatest of 1980's rivals, Offaly and Galway, and so began the great love affair the people of Lusmagh have with their princely home. In the years that followed continuous improvements were carried out to upgrade the surrounding environs, and this constant thirst for improvement led to the addition of the fine spectator stand and concrete terracing in the late 1990's.

As the 90's progressed and the noughties began to dawn upon us, the minds of all involved began to dream of grandeur and so began the odyssey that has us all here today. A major fundraising drive was the first task to be undertaken and nights out in Kinnitty Castle and Mullingar Greyhound Stadium, aswell as a Monster Draw were among the many events and initiatives that set the club on its way. Lusmagh GAA also benefitted, as so many clubs and organisations nationally have from National Lottery funding. The impressive new clubhouse has four large changing rooms, a referee's room, kitchen, committee room, ladies, gents and wheelchair accessible toilets. Upon completion of the main building, a new perimeter fence, turnstile building, dugouts and hurling wall were added to complete the grounds to make Lusmagh GAA Club grounds a top class venue worthy of hosting an inter county fixtutre.



The official opening ceremony will be carried out by An Taoiseach Mr. Brian Cowen T.D. Indeed it is a great honour for all involved with Lusmagh GAA Club that An Taoiseach, Brian Cowen T.D., will take the time out to be present and to perform the official opening ceremony. To mark this special occasion for Lusmagh GAA, the senior hurlers of Offaly and Clare will play an inter county challenge match at 6pm. It promises to be a very competitive game between these two young sides that are less than three weeks away from championship, Offaly will face Antrim in the first round of the Leinster championship and Clare will face Waterford in the Munster semi final. The game will be refereed by the well known intercounty referee Brian Gavin, who is of course an Offalyman.

During half time of the senior match, there will be a primary schools exhibition game involving children from Lusmagh primary school.









Fr. Phil Hearty PP will perform a blessing of the new clubhouse and grounds on the day. Also on the day there will be a bumper fifty six page full colour souvenir programme available for a fee of €3. This programme will be of interest to all GAA followers. Admission on the day is €10 for adults, with no charge for kids.

Also on the weekend of the 9th of May Lusmagh GAA will be honouring their 1989 Senior Hurling Team that won the County Final for the first and only time in the club's history when they defeated Seir Kieran on a scoreline of 1-11 to 1-10 on a memorable day for the club. This presentation night will take place on Saturday the 8th of May in Flynns Bar Banagher. This promises to be a great weekend of celebration for all involved in Lusmagh GAA. Tweet

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