The newly refurbished Fr Tierney Park in Ballyshannon will host a challenge game between Jim McGuinnness’ Donegal and Roscommon on Sunday, December 17th, at 1:30pm.
The proceeds of the match will go to North West Hospice, which provides palliative care services for people with life limiting illnesses where they are residing, be that at home, in a nursing home, hospital or in our hospice.
The game will be the first intercounty fixture hosted by Aodh Ruadh, Ballyshanon, since Donegal’s Division 1 national football league game against Monaghan in March 2020.
Since then, the Ballyshannon club has invested €750,000 in upgrading the pitch and spectator facilities at Fr Tierney Park.
The playing surface has been completely refurbished with the clay pitch being replaced with a Prunty pitch.
At 145 metres by 87 metres, it is now one of the biggest grounds in the county.
The Hospital side of the grounds is fully terraced, while the northern end of the pitch is now also substantially terraced.
There are further plans to upgrade spectator facilities, primarily focused on stand seating at the southern side of the pitch.
The original Father Tierney Park was opened on 9 May 1954. The new park took its name from a parish priest who had served in Saint Joseph's in the town. Father Tierney had been a great supporter of Gaelic Games and Irish culture in the locality.
He later went on the missions to war-torn China, where he lost his life in 1931. At the official opening, Canon McQuaid of Bundoran, assisted by Father McElroy of Saint Joseph’s Church blessed the new football field, which was formally opened by President of the Ulster Council, Armagh man, Alf Murray.
The official opening was followed by a challenge match between Donegal and Armagh with Donegal defeating the 1953 All-Ireland finalists on a scoreline of 1-6 to 0-5. Coincidentally, another Armagh man, Jarlath Burns, on becoming Uachtarán CLG, will be on hand for the official opening of the ground in 2024, the 70th anniversary of the Park’s first opening.
Tickets are available for the game via the official Donegal GAA website. Adult tickets cost €10, OAP’s and students (over 16) €5, while children (under 16) are free.
To get tickets, click here.
Sunday, Dec 17th
Donegal v Roscommon
Fr Tierney Park Ballyshannon, 1:30pm
