In pictures: Official lighting up of Aodh Ruadh Fitness Trail and Outdoor Gym

The official switching on of the lights at the Fitness Trail and Outdoor Gym at Pairc Aoidh Ruadh, Ballyshannon took place on Friday evening with new club President, PJ Buggy, performing the opening ceremony. Please click on the arrows to go through the gallery

This new all-weather facility will be available for all club units for pre-season off-field training over the coming weeks. Club units will be notified directly on booking arrangements. 

Speaking prior to the official switch-on, Park Committee chairman Tom Daly thanked those involved in the project with funding coming through the JP McManus initiative as well as support from Donegal Co Council along with local funding initiatives, including the hosting of American Tours.

The chairman told the assembled that the American Tours would resume on March 10th with 105 tours being hosted in 2026.

“I also want to acknowledge the great team of workers we have had over the years and you’ll see some of the results of their endeavours on Sunday when we host Kerry in the NFL.”

Mr Daly said that the work on Pairc Aoidh Ruadh, known locally as Munday’s Field, was more or less concluded now with just a few small  jobs with floodlighting for the Hurling Wall and a small floodlit pitch to be completed.

Club chairman, Barry O’Neill said he was delighted to see the new club President, PJ Buggy, present for his first official function as President.

“PJ Buggy is a great Aodh Ruadh man. He has taken over from my late dad and I was delighted to be able to extend that news  because my father and PJ Buggy were long time friends and I know PJ is going to do a great job as President.

“PJ Buggy is a man that not alone worked with the adult teams but for many, many years spearheaded Bord na nOg which rejuvenated underage football in the club.”

The chairman paid tribute to all who have contributed to the great facilities now at the club. “We had Conor Gilligan down here a few weeks ago giving a coaching session and I brought him on a tour of our facilities and he was stunned with what we have,” said O’Neill.

The chairman singled out Tom Daly as chairman of the Park Committee as being the main driver behind the development and he also mentioned former members like Terry McDermott, Phil McLoone and Sean Slevin. “I hate mentioning names but it is safe to say that Tom Daly deserves particular credit. I remember him coming into my father’s sitting room many years ago and discussing plans for the club and I’m talking early to mid-80s and he’s still at it. It’s an absolute credit to Tom Daly, the facilities that we have.”

There was a countdown for the switch-on and afterwards some of those present availed of the facilities on what was a perfect evening for the event.