Many of the houses along the Church Road had Halloween decorations.
There was a picture on the railings at the entrance to the park.
It was the Foxrock Cabinteely footballers. One of the finest ladies’ football teams of all. Their cabinet overflows with gold.
Inside the gate, beside the clubhouse, people were enjoying their teas and coffees.
Darkness was falling. The Angelus Bell rang. Jacqui Hurley had the microphone.
The countdown was about to begin.
It was the official opening of the Cabinteely GAA and the Foxrock Cabinteely senior pitch. And the switching on of the new floodlights.
“What a massive night for Foxrock Cabinteely LGFA and the Cabinteely GAA club,” announced Jacqui.
And then she gave the order: “Let there be light.”
The magic switch was pressed. And on they came. Lighting up the night sky.
The cheers rose. The camera phones were busy. A fresh, glorious chapter had begun.
A lone piper led a parade around the ground. Smiling children. Proud parents.
Ciarán Coyle spoke. He’s the Fox-Cab chairman.
“We are all incredibly proud of this milestone. And we see it as a step of a longer vision,” he said.
“It wouldn’t be possible without the hard work of everyone in Foxrock Cabinteely and the Cabinteely clubs.
“All the efforts that went on behind the scenes. People giving up their time.
“Coming to meetings after a day’s work. We have such brilliant volunteers at the Cabinteely and Foxrock Cabinteely GAA clubs.”
The Fox-Cabs climbed the stairs, through all the grades, to become one of the most successful clubs that Dublin has ever seen.
They won their first Dublin Senior Championship title in 2012. And, remarkably, from 2015 to 2021, they won seven successive senior county championships.
They had travelled a long road, in a short time, from when they were formed in 2005.
They also flourished in Leinster, and they made it all the way to the All-Ireland final.
“A special mention is due to all the people who coached that amazing team to all that success,” declared Barry Rojack, the chairman of the Cabinteely GAA club.
The Fox-Cabs had some of their most memorable evenings at this venue. Enhancing spring and summer Wednesdays with the beauty of their play.
This is the arena where Sinéad Goldrick honed her craft. For so long the heartbeat of the Foxes and the Dubs.
She’ll be forever grateful for the coaching and the encouragement she got here. And for all the special days spent in the company of her friends.
Sinéad has played in so many stadiums, in Ireland and across the sea, but nowhere can compare to the hallowed turf of Kilbogget.
While the work was taking place, Fox-Cab played at the scenic Ticknick Park in Cherrywood.
But, as Tom Jones always said: “There’s no place like the green, green grass of home.”
On this Thursday night, Kilbogget was busy. Seapoint rugby training, Cabinteely FC across on the all-weather.
People out walking and jogging. The new running track is at the far end of the park.
“There is an old saying,” stated Barry Rojack. “‘One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.
“Back in August, 1977, a group of visionaries erected the first posts on the pitch we see here today.
“The land was reclaimed from a vast rubbish tip. And it became the playing fields and the parkland that we now have.
“I’m sure even those people of vision, back in ’77, could not have foreseen the fantastic treasure that we now have.
“And what a treasure it is. Wonderful playing fields. And now with state-of-the-art floodlights.
“We have hundreds of boys and girls, men and women, playing Gaelic football, ladies football, camogie and hurling. On our very own Field of Dreams.
“We owe so much gratitude to all those who kept the show on the road for all these years. And to everyone who helped us on this journey.
“The incredible people at Cabinteely GAA and Foxrock Cabinteely. All the Councillors and Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council who were critical in supporting us with this project.
“There’s just so many people to thank. And we are grateful to everyone that helped us make this happen.
“I look forward with excitement to what comes next. Of what wonders awaits us in fifty years’ time.”
Proceedings were about to wrap up. Jacqui Hurley had one more duty to perform.
The kids were out enjoying themselves on the new carpet. Running about, skipping, laughing. Happy.
“Boys and girls, we want to find out who is the fastest team in the club. You’ll be legends forever,” declared Jacqui.
The children rushed to the end line, and got ready for the Fox-Cab-Cabo Dash.
They waited for the Starters Order, and off they raced.
Sprinting into the future with hope, and joy, in their hearts.
In time, some of them could even appear on Jacqui’s own programme, The Sunday Game.
In the meantime, the dedicated folks of Cabinteely GAA and Foxrock Cabinteely will ensure that the young ones, on the new pitch and off it, will bloom and grow forever.
