On frday last Lackagh National School or Scoil Bhride, Lackagh had the official opening of their Astro turf pitches. For many years Lackagh School struggled with facilities and operated from an old building and 11 pre fabs and poor sports facilities for the pupils of the school.
After many years of hard work and dedication of teachers, parents and management boards in the school, a new school allied with excellent sport facilities has been provided.
Last weekend to add to the high standard playing field already in place a state-of-the art Astro turf facility is now in place at the school. The facility which provides for two small pitches divided or one larger pitch will be of tremendous benefit to the pupils of the school going forward.
Speaking at the opening of the Astro turf on Friday last school principal Shane O’Connor paid particular tribute to the parents, and all who helped make this facility available. He added that Lackagh is now the envy of so many other schools as their facilities at primary school level are on par with many post-primary schools.
With 200 people involved in the school as pupils and staff, there would always be a challenge going forward to provide the best facilities with the limited space that was available and Lackagh can be uniquely proud of the manner in which this has been achieved.
Fr. John O’Gorman blessed the facility which was attended by pupils, parents and grandparents, some representing several generations of school attendances at Lackagh.
Present and former teachers gathered together at the opening as varied sport games were provided by the present pupils as refreshments were laid on to entertain all who attended.
The official opening was performed by three young past pupils who are having distinguished sporting careers in their own right.
Conor Campbell from Woodlands has marched on to become a regular member of Galway Senior football panel but injury had him missing out on the Connacht Final this year. Sean O’Hanlon of Lackagh proudly holds two All-Ireland minor hurling medals with Galway and is one of Turloughmore’s promising players of the future. Max Flynn of Lackagh is having a very distinguished career in rugby and from playing initially with Corinthians has gone on to represent Connacht and Ireland and was recently named Connacht under 18 rubgy player of the year.
All three are past pupils of Lackagh National School and they were asked jointly to officially open the new Astro turf facility.
Many tributes were paid to the leadership provided by the teachers in the school and in particular by principal Shane O’Connor who led this project from the front. There is no doubt, but the new facility will be of tremendous benefit to pupils of the school over many years and well done to all concerned.
