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State to sell playing field to Rockland County Gaels

February 16, 2011

By Staff Reporter

By Pierce O’Reilly

The Rockland Gaelic Athletic Association, which was formed 27 years ago to serve the youth of the community, has just purchased its own playing field at the Rockland Psychiatric Center, near Pearl River.

The 8.5-acre site, which cost $425,000, has being the home of the club for the last quarter century. The club’s president, Thomas Fennell, said that he was delighted with the news.

"We have used the game to enlighten our children about their Irish heritage and to develop sportsmanship and good citizenship among all," he said. "This mission to serve the people of Rockland has been fortified as a result of this transaction".

The Rockland GFC, which has nine teams and more than 300 children involved in the underage structure, is the first New York club to purchase its own playing field. The club has raised a 20 percent downpayment of $85,000 and are at present running a major fund-raising drive to require the outstanding balance.

Fennell said the club has worked hard as a unit over the last few years to establish such a stronghold.

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"This project is for the entire Irish American community," he said.

The site will also be the home of the new memorial to the Famine.

"Everyone has being great, but our funds are now exhausted — that’s why we’ve asked for help," Fennell said.

Gov. George Pataki said he was delighted with the news.

"The Gaelic Athletic Association has been using these fields for cultural activities and sporting events for more than 25 years and I’m thrilled that it will remain that way," he said. "This is just one more example of how privatizing surplus state land can make our government more cost-efficient, while also creating new opportunities that benefit the local community."

In an effort to protect the land as open space, provisions in the real estate transaction state that any future resale of the property will be restricted to non-profit recreational usage.

Said State Senator Thomas P. Morahan: "I’m delighted that the economic development corporation and the governor have finalized the sale. These fields have long been used by the GAA and will now be dedicated for the continued use of the young people of Rockland County."

County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef also greeted the news.

"We’ve worked hard with Gov. Pataki and the Empire State Development Corporation to preserve this property for use by the GAA," he said.

Club president Thomas Fennell said the Irish-American community is grateful that the state allowed the club to take ownership of the field and that all members of the GAA are to be commended for the commitment to making this possilbe.

The Rockland GFC fund-raiser will take place on April 21, the same night as their annual dinner dance. The guest of honor at the dance this year is Rockland County Legislator Patrick Moroney, who has helped the club greatly in its bid to acquire the land.

For details, contact the Rockland Football Club, 29 Forest Ave., Pearl River, NY 10965 or phone (212) 751-0250.

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