There was great celebration in Ratheniska on Friday last when they performed the official turning on of their new state of the art floodlighting system.
It marks the latest development for the Club on the Grounds they made their permanent home in the mid 90’s, in the middle of the Ratheniska village.
Two men who have been central to the Club over the past century, and its current co Chairmen, Har Ramsbottom and Neddy Mansworth were on hand to perform the official duties.
Currently in his 94th year and showing no signs of slowing down just yet, Mansworth was a stalwart goalkeeper with the club during their historic back-to-back senior championship wins in the 50’s and went on to represent Laois with distinction between the posts also over the years.
Ramsbottom is synonymous with the club, having represented it with distinction himself over the years, and of course was the driving force for the grounds development since he pushed for the purchase of the land in the 90’s during one of his many stints as Chairman, and subsequently drove so much of the development since.
Local and national public representatives were in attendance on the evening, with GAA representatives tied up at Congress in Donegal.
The Floodlights are part of the ambitious Clubs latest Strategy Plan, with the works carried out by Seamus Byrne Electrical who has installed floodlights in Clough Ballacolla also in recent years and is currently charged with the new Floodlights in the LOETB Centre of Excellence in Portlaoise.
Speaking afterwards, current Club Chairman Kevin Fingleton thanked all those who made the latest development possible, notably both Local and National Government for their assistance, while praising the schemes currently in place to allow clubs such as Park Ratheniska the opportunity to provide for their community in the manner in which they have.
He took the opportunity to single out former Chairman John Kelly, who in his role as Club Development Officer project managed the operation alongside Secretary Brian Ramsbottom, Groundsmen John Ramsbottom and Jim Morrin as well as Treasurer Maeve Conroy.
Indeed as Fingleton observed “this is a testament to our entire committee, membership and community who work so hard year in year out, but especially over the course of the National Ploughing Championships visit to Ratheniska” while thanking Anna Mae and Anna Maria and all the NPA for their generosity over that period as well as former TD Charlie Flanagan whom he wished well in his retirement from politics.
Finishing up, Fingleton also noted that the Club weren’t finished with their development projects just yet, stating planning is already underway for an All Weather Astro playing surface to be installed in front of the Ball Wall over the coming months.
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