7th March 2017
New IFA Heritage Centre Opens
OHMG director Cathal O’Hare, and Fergal Meenagh, a design co-cordinator, met with the Northern Ireland football manager Michael O’Neill, and goalkeeping legend Pat Jennings, at the opening of the IFA’s new education and heritage centre in Belfast.
The pair also heard the IFA president David Martin pay tribute to the company for its work on the re-development of the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park, now one of the finest football venues in Europe.
It was officially opened last year.
O’Neill and Jennings cut the ribbon to officially open the centre which chronicles the 136-year history of football in Northern Ireland as well as showcasing the IFA’s vision of promoting, fostering and developing the game for all.
Cathal and Fergal, who worked on the Windsor Park project, were introduced to guests at the opening by the MC, the BBC NI football commentator Jackie Fullerton.
Last month members of the O’Hare & McGovern senior management team, including managing director Martin Lennon, Eamon O’Hare, Geoffrey Archer and Cathal O’Hare attended the official opening of the new Malcolm Brodie Media Centre at Windsor Park where they presented the NI Football Writers Association with a specially commissioned interpretative display honouring the former Belfast Telegraph sports editor.
After the official opening of the education and heritage centre, Newry-born Jennings, the former Tottenham Hotspur keeper, spoke with Cathal and Fergal about his corporate duties at every home game at White Hart Lane, and his pride at having one of the hospitality lounges at Windsor named after him. He played 119 times for Northern Ireland.
Michael said the international atmosphere among the fans at the 18,500 capacity National Stadium was as good as anywhere in the world, adding that the education and heritage centre was a fantastic facility.
Cathal said:
“It was an absolute pleasure to meet with Pat and Michael, two gentlemen. But what is particularly pleasing is the acknowledgment of so many people of O’Hare & McGovern’s incredible work on the stadium.”
