04-05-2002

New business park for Mountmellick

Deputy John Moloney with Pat Flanagan and Sean Flanagan of Oweness Developments at the site of the Bay Road Business Park, Mountmellick.

Mountmellick is soon to boast a new business park, planned for the outskirts of the town and consisting of 18 commercial and industrial units. Situated at Bayroad, the buildings are expected to go on sale for EUR69.84 per sq.ft. for the complete turn key unit. Three sites have already been sold to local business people and a 3,000 sq.ft. unit has been purchased by an outside investor. The remaining units are available either for lease or
for purchase.

The building specification includes double skin cladding, offices, canteen
and toilets.

The setting for the park is widely recognised as an ideal business location for enterprises such as hardware/building providers, hire shops, tyre depots, specialist joinery and mechanical repair workshops. Precision and general engineering workshops, aluminium fabrication and other alloyed industries are also likely to find it a suitable home.

It is envisaged that by locating various linked industries in a properly managed business business park, the units will actually benefit each other. In addition to the provision of buildings, service sites will also be available for sale from EUR40,000 per site.

Developed by Pat and Sean Flanagan, the site is seen as addressing the shortage of industrial space for start up units in the midlands. Bayroad Business Park, they hope, will provide quality accommodation for entrepreneurs and an ideal opportunity for workers presently commuting to apply their skills locallly.

"The Bayroad Business Park would not have been possible but for the support of Laois County Council, Laois County Enterprise Board, Mountmellick Development Association, politicians John Moloney and Charles Flanagan, as well as various community groups," said developer Pat Flanagan.

"This development offers the most keenly priced industrial and commercial space in the midlands. We can build a new unit to the customer's specification, within 12 weeks from the date of planning permission being granted. With a form like this, success is surely guaranteed," added Sean Flanagan.

Deputy John Moloney said that it gave him great pleasure to welcome further
levels of investment in Mountmellick.

"The investment will open the way to providing jobs in the Mountmellick catchment area and, indeed, throughout the wider county. This is a tremendous boost for the area and, along with recent Government allowances, such as sewerage extensions and amenity grants in the region, it will mean a further boost for the local economy."

Lynch steers Mountmellick into Cup final

Mountmellick Utd 2 ...........................................FCFC 1

Mountmellick made it into the final of the Counties Cup with a deserved victory over Longford side FCFC.

In a hard fought, tense game played in stormy, but dry conditions at Puttaghaun, FCFC began with the wind at their backs. They took the game to Mountmellick and after 15 minutes the pressure paid off when the Mountmellick defence failed to clear a free-kick and the FCFC winger tapped home from close range.

This was a signal for FCFC to attack even more and only for a fine save by Donie O'Mahony the Counties Major side would have been two down. This scare was the wake-up call Mountmellick needed and they started to play some flowing football.

Dinny Lynch, Paddy Delaney and an overhead kick by Robbie Hibbitts all came close before a sweeping move in the 39th minute between Owen Smith and Niall Lynch found Hibbitts 12 yards out and his stinging shot was only parried by the FCFC 'keeper and crossed the line.

Mountmellick began the second half with wind assistance and they kept up the
pressure on the Longford defence. Jody Davis's speed was now causing FCFC many problems but Mountmellick could not break through.

For ten minutes in the middle of the half FCFC got the upper hand but the excellent defending of Reddin, O'Neill, Conroy and Turner limited the Longford centre-forward to just one shot that went high and over. Mountmellick still created chances and the FCFC 'keeper made a spectacular save from Dinny Lynch and shortly afterwards Niall Lynch shot badly wide when put clean through by his brother.

But nine minutes from time all was forgiven when Niall Lynch carried the ball through the heart of the FCFC defence and his shot from 18 yards flew into the bottom of the net for a fine goal.

It was an excellent display by all 12 players used by the winners, Keith Payne having replaced the injured Owen Smith with 20 minutes left. Mountmellick can even improve on this form for the final and while every player performed very well, Dinny Lynch just edged the man of the match award.

Book Launch

Alice Taylor will visit St Vincent's Hospital, Mountmellick on Friday, May 3 to launch a new book which is a joint venture between residents in the hospital and the members of the Laois Writers Group.

Titled "The Road to St Vincent's "the book oontains stories from the residents compiled by the writers. It will be on sale at 15 in the hospital and in local shops.

An exhibition of the resident's art work will also be opened that Friday and will continue until the end of May as part of the Bealtaine festival.

All Ireland Volleyball Winners

Congratulations to the junior girls volleyball team from Mountmellick Community School and their coach and manager and RE teacher on winning the All Ireland volleyball in Naas.

Team
Laura Joyce, Colette, Dooley, Samantha Forde, Megan Kearney, Rebecca
Col bert, Sylvia Lee, Gemma Bergin and Therese Weston

Coach - Helena Dunne;
Manager - Laura Bennett; RE teacher - Emer Hanniffy.