Villa FC rename club grounds in official opening
Seamus Kilgannon, Founder/Director, Schivo Medical, WorkLab who is the new sponsor of Connors Park and the Villa Premier League team is pictured with Villa Premier manager Conor Coad, Villa FC and Villa Premier players, Conor Kilgannon and John Fredrick Tamen with their new jerseys. Photos: Noel Browne.
FAI President Paul Cooke was on hand to open the newly named workLAB Connors Park – the home of Villa FC on Saturday afternoon last as dignities that included Minister Mary Butler and Senator John Cummins oversaw the cutting of the ribbon at the 4G Astro facility on Saturday afternoon last.
In welcoming representatives from the local Waterford Junior League, Waterford Schoolboy League, and the Waterford Women’s League, Villa chairman Shane Kehoe paid tribute to the work that was undertaken in the construction of their astroturf pitch at Poleberry.
Kehoe said: “We’re delighted that you are all here with us today as we mark the official opening of the new Astro facility and also the new unveiling of workLAB Connors Park in partnership with our new principle club partner – workLAB.
“There’s a huge amount of work and effort behind getting to this stage in our development as a club, and I would like to thank former chairman Paul Morrissey, who saw the vision for this project that saw us acquire the site and before we knew it, the diggers were in and we have this top class facility.
“The club doesn’t survive without sponsors, and we’re delighted here today that we can unveil that Seamus Kilgannon and his company workLAB have come on board and we’re delighted that the ground will now be called workLAB Connors Park.” Commenting on the facility, FAI President Paul Cooke said: “I’m delighted to be here today to open this fantastic facility. It’s great to see such a club with great tradition here in Waterford have a facility like this at their disposal and I congratulate you all on that.
“It’s good to see the local politicians here also today. Like I said in all my speeches to date and with the elections behind us and more in front of us, it’s important that people continue to speak to public representatives such as Minster Butler and Senator Cummins in order to attain grants and support not just at the high level of Irish football, but also at grassroot levels.
“It’s great, as a proud Waterford man, to see a company like workLAB get behind a local football club and Seamus Kilgannon is to commended on that. I wish Villa and all associated with the club continued success for the future.” Speaking on the partnership between Villa and workLAB, Seamus Kilgannon said: “I’m delighted to be in a position to give something back to the club that have looked after my two sons since they joined the club many years ago.
“To see the club grew from strength to strength is fantastic and we’re looking forward to the partnership between ourselves and the football club. This is a fantastic facility and it’s great to be able to support the club. I look forward to working with the Villa committee into the future and wish the club continued growth and success.” It was a special day for Villa and their club members as the ribbon was cut by the FAI President to loud cheers from members of their Academy faithful.
