Investing in an exciting future for St Aidan’s GAA

“Today is a very proud day for Templeport St Aidan’s,” reflected club chairperson Micheal Maguire at the official opening of Templeport St Aidan’s clubhouse extension and brand new gym on Sunday, November 1.

“These facilities are the result of 10 years of commitment and hard work of many people, who wanted to see the club move forward,” said Michael, who is also the project's architect.

Over the past decade, a total sum in the region of €1m has been spent on bringing the development to fruition, including the clubhouse extension and renovation - the new ‘Summit Strength’ gym, ground floor meeting room, an accessible shower room and a fitness suite on the first floor, as well as renovating the existing clubhouse upstairs to provide a kitchen, dining area and meeting room, along with new carpark surfacing and lighting, redeveloped shop space and robotic mowers.

The “first significant step” in the project came when planning permission was lodged in 2016, but the “funding journey” was “one of the biggest” challenges faced by the west Cavan club.

Applications were made under the Sports Capital programme in 2017, 2018 and 2020, and €153,000 was initially secured. A further allocation of €160,000 under the programme in October 2024 brought the total funding to €313,000. A ‘D-Kube’ fundraiser, held in partnership with Crosserlough GAA in November 2025, boosted the project’s funding by another €290,000.

A further €65,000 was secured under the CLÁR programme to equip the new gym and fitness suite in November 2025, and another €70,000 was secured in May 2026 under the Climate Action programme, which supported the renovation of the existing clubhouse and facilitated upgrades to the building fabric, heating and LED lighting.

Another “important” source of support was the GAA Development Fund initiative, with the club having received a €100,000 loan in May 2024, which provided “valuable” working capital, while waiting for grant funding to be drawn down.

“A project of this scale cannot be delivered by one person or one committee, it takes a huge amount of work, commitment and support from many people over the years,” said Micheal, thanking everyone involved in the project's delivery, including former chair Martin Dolan, former secretary Damien McKenna, the club’s past and present executive committees, volunteers, members and sponsors, as well as Gary Allison and Crossdoney Construction, subcontractors and tradespeople, his own office in Micheal Maguire Architects, 'Summit Strength' gym manager Dara McManus, Cavan County Council and local public representatives.

“It’s about giving our players the facilities they deserve, supporting our coaches and volunteers, providing a place where our young people can develop, and where people can come together as part of the club and community.

“We’re investing not just in the present but in the future of Templeport St Aidan’s. I hope that for many years to come, people will look back on this development as an important step forward in our club. Just as we look back today on the work of those who came before us.”

Speaking at the opening, GAA President Jarlath Burns said there is “no doubt” that the “beautiful facilities” on the grounds are part of a “growth mindset” in the club.

“And I say that as we are in the shadow of a workhouse, which would have housed the poor people from this area way back in years gone by,” he said.

“When you consider the strides - from that mentality to this mentality, where you want the very, very best for a community, it speaks volumes of the spirit of the people of this area.”

Discussing the current “demographics crisis in Ireland”, the president also praised the club for their recent partnership with Corlough GAA.

“What you have done with Corlough is indicative of the sort of attitude that exists in this community - where you have found a local solution that works for you. And it’s great to see that the demographics in this area are looking up, and that your underage teams, and their success, are reflecting that.”

The completed development, he said, is the club’s “gift” to the “next generation of people who are going to wear the jersey of this proud parish”.

Among those attending the official opening were Mark O’Rourke, Chair of Cavan County Board, who complimented the “progressive” club on the “amazing” facilities, Deputy Brendan Smith - a “very proud” parish native, who praised the “outstanding” development, and ‘Summit Strength’ gym manager Dara McManus, who said the space “allows the community to grow.” Parish Priest Fr Malachy Moses also blessed the grounds.

The club celebrated the development throughout the weekend, with Donegal manager Jim McGuinness presenting the U14, U16 and U18 winning teams with medals on Friday, and the presentation of a cheque worth €10,000 - as part of the ‘D-Kube’ fundraiser, to Jim O’Donnell from Cavan Monaghan Palliative Care on Saturday.