Mayor Kavanagh celebrates 4th of July with Baseball Ireland
By Aimee Walsh
CELEBRATIONS were in full swing in Corkagh Park as the Mayor of South Dublin County Council threw the first pitch in a baseball game to mark 4th of July weekend.
Mayor Peter Kavanagh celebrated America’s Independence Day by throwing the first pitch in a baseball game between the Belfast Buccaneers and Cork Cosmos, which was held in Corkagh Park, Clondalkin, on Saturday, July 3.
Mayor Peter Kavanaghwith members of the Belfast Buccaneers and Cork Cosmos
Mayor Kavanagh, a keen baseball player with the Dublin City Hurricanes, paid tribute to the impact that the American sport has had on Ireland:
He said: “Baseball is the second-most widely played team sport in the world after soccer, and South Dublin County is proud to be the first home baseball had in Ireland.
“The National Baseball Facility in Corkagh Park, Ireland’s Fields of Dreams, is a crucial part of the park and will play a huge role in the masterplan to redevelop Corkagh.
“While baseball grows in places like Cork, Belfast and Ashbourne, there will always be an important part of baseball’s story in Ireland that revolves around Clondalkin and South Dublin County.”
Interested generated in Baseball over the past few years can be attributed to the development of the purpose-built Baseball facility in Clondalkin, which first opened on July 4, 1998.
The National Baseball Facility, Ireland’s Fields of Dreams, was funded by then-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Peter O’Malley.
“Corkagh Park has been home to many special days for Baseball Ireland. I won three national championships in Corkagh as player-manager of the Hurricanes, and the 2013 tournament as part of the Gathering was a tremendous occasion for the county,” said Mayor Kavanagh.
The facility has been home to the Dublin City Hurricanes and Dublin Spartans since opening and has seen some memorable days for Baseball Ireland over the years including hosting international tournaments.
Baseball Ireland President Tom Kelley said: “We are honoured to have the Mayor of South Dublin County throw out the first pitch at Corkagh Park this 4th of July weekend.
“Baseball is growing in Ireland, but we all remember that it began here in Clondalkin, and we are proud to be part of the sporting community in Corkagh Park and in South Dublin County.”
