Its the big day so please come down at 3pm to support Pat as he Flys the flag for us!
This Sunday sees the official opening of the MDL Fifa One Astro Pitch. The occasion is being marked by a match between
MDL Over 35 champions Ardee Town (plus guests) v Irish Masters
And our Patrick Hegarty will be one of the guest players on the day. Pat was chosen from all of the players in the over 35s this year to join Ardee, who won the 0ver 35s League this year. This a fantastic honour for Pat who was instrumental in the forming of our over 35s this year. It also shows how his commitment and passion for the game has not just impressed his fellow team mates but also the game officials and the league as he is now guesting with Ardee on the opening day.
So on Sunday if you are free please come down in your club coat and support Pat as he takes on the Masters. KO is at 3pm in the MDL and all are welcome.
Pitch opening set for 16 November
The end result of six years of planning will be proudly put on show at the MDL grounds on Sunday 16 November at 2.40 when FAI Chief Executive John Delaney will officially unveil the first full sized FIFA 1 standard All Weather Pitch in County Meath. The Carpet product is called Edel Future DS and comprises the maximum density of fibres available on the market. After checking out numerous similar type developments throughout the Country in what is a very competitive market with numerous suppliers. The MDL settled for a product which was selectively sourced and installed by Crawford group a Northern Ireland based company with offices in Wexford. The results of an obligatory independent rigorous test were very encouraging where all aspects of the test achieved the maximum marks available. All Groundworks were completed by a well known and respected North Meath based firm Michael Rick Plant Hire. In 2008 Floodlights were installed on the undeveloped grass pitch that was earmarked for what is now the finished product.
The development of this facility would not have been possible without the help of the North Eastern Counties Schoolboys League who contributed €40,000 to the project. These funds along with €250,000 from a Sports Capital grant, plus €60,000 from our own funds, on top of the €90,000 previously spent on lighting six years ago. There are so many people to thank for their efforts in helping the MDL to deliver the project, especially those that provided assistance to secure the sizable Sports Capital Grant, in particular FAI officials John Delaney, and Richard Fahey, former TD for East Meath, the late Shane McEntee, Meath West TD’s Ray Butler, and Damien English, Meath County Council representatives Shane Cassells, along with Meath development officer Mark Scanlon.
