History was made in Stradbally on Saturday as the first ever game in the local primary school’s brand new astro pitch took place.
The match in question was an U-11 Midlands Soccer League clash between T&S United (Timahoe & Stradbally) and Killeigh of Offaly.
Storm Bert and the rain associated with it meant that almost all games scheduled for Saturday across Laois, Westmeath and Offaly that were to be played on grass were called off.
T&S United play their home games at their pitch in Timahoe but that was unplayable due to water lying on the surface.
Since the club was formed in 2007, such conditions would mean no match could take place but thanks to the new astro facility at St Colman’s School in Stradbally, this is no longer the case.
Back in September, work recommenced on the new astro pitch which has licensee agreements in place with Stradbally GAA, Timahoe Ladies GAA, T&S United and Stradbally Town AFC.
The pitch has been developed as part of the Sports Capital Project delivered through Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
Speaking to LaoisToday previously, principal Bryan Lynch spoke about the work the community did to get the project over the line.
“Bringing this project to its current stage has required immense dedication from a large number of people,” Mr Lynch said.
“From school staff and parents to volunteers and local supporters, it has been a true team effort.
“A key milestone in the project’s history was the successful Lip Sync fundraiser in February 2020, which united the entire St Colman’s community and raised the much-needed funds to make this vision a reality.”
While it was hoped the pitch would be completed by the end of the year, it actually finished ahead of schedule and opened for use at the end of October.
A set of goals and nets have been donated to the school by T&S United and are also available to use.
As for the match itself on Saturday, it turned out to be a classic encounter – fitting to officially open the new pitch.
Killeigh started the better on the new surface and raced into a big lead by half time.
Rian Coyle scored their first goal, a tidy finish at the back post following a lovely cross from Tom Flaherty.
A long range effort from Coyle made it 2-0 and Tommy Brazil scored the third in a similar fashion to make it 3-0 to the visitors at the break.
T&S had played reasonably well in the first half without finding the net but that changed early in the second half when Jack Elliott was fouled and Oisin Guinan from Ratheniska became the first Laois player to score on the astro as he curled in the resulting free kick.
It was game on with ten minutes to go when Harry Guinan’s throw in found Alan Elliott and he squeezed a shot into the bottom corner from the tightest of angles.
Killeigh pushed hard to regain their two goal lead but T&S keeper Ryan Keenan made two wonderful saves while the defence of Lenny Scully and Henry Corbett stood firm with Gareth O’Donovan, Ciaran Duff, Conor Holohan and Niall Stone working very hard also.
It looked like T&S had levelled three minutes before time when Harry Guinan smashed in a volley but the ball had unfortunately struck Holohan’s hand in the build up and referee Mark Brennan correctly disallowed the goal.
But with time almost up, Harry Guinan was fouled 25 yards from goal and Oisin Guinan repeated his earlier feat by finding the top corner of the net with an outstanding free kick.
A fitting end to a cracking match – the first of many that will be played at the venue for years to come.
T&S UNITED: Ryan Keenan; Lenny Scully, Henry Corbett, Oisin Guinan, Gareth O’Donovan, Alan Elliott, Jack Elliott, Harry Guinan, Ciaran Duff, Conor Holohan, Niall Stone
KILLEIGH: Tom Brennan, Fionn Horan, Liam Cuskelly, Charlie Farrell, Tom Flaherty, Tommy Brazil, Jody Finlay, Noah Jessop, Rian Coyle, Euan Spain, Paddy Culliton
REFEREE: Mark Brennan
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