1 CommentAs our District Council carry out upgrading works at Newry's Jennings Park the final whistle is set to be blown sounding the end game for the now unsightly weather beaten railings at Clanrye Avenue.
As the old saying goes 'If walls could talk' well this could equally be applied to these railings which have been the elbow perches for countless people over the decades.
They have no doubt heard and seen it all, on and off the pitch with so much raw mixed emotions not to mention some unsavoury language to boot.
They have witnessed not only great and not so great sporting occasions, testimonials, fun days and summer schemes to name a few but also social, civil unrest and change especially at nearby Communities.
The exact age of the railings are unclear and perhaps Newry.ie readers can come up with a date for their erection?
They are at least 45 years old or earlier maybe to the time of the construction of Clanrye Avenue?
Jennings Park at the Meadow was opened by Newry sporting legend Pat Jennings back in July 6, 1976 having been constructed by the then Newry and Mourne District Council.
On that evening almost 45 years ago with a large crowd in attendance Pat thanked the people of Newry and District for the wonderful support they had given him in his football career.
He congratulated the Council on the magnificent facilities they were providing for local sportsmen and said they had progressed a long way since he first played at the Meadow 20 years ago (1956)
After the official opening the final of the Murphy Cup between West Ham Utd, and Derrybeg was played. West Ham won by four goals to nil.
It will no doubt be a sad occasion when these old unassuming railings are torn down having been a background feature to the sporting and social life of Newry.
