A large crowd gathered into the new sports complex in Pairc Sheain Mhic McGhearailt, Kilmurry on Friday 19th of December to witness the drawing of prize winners in the much talked about Draw with a Difference.
Just under 11 months ago in Mid January the club launched its major fundraising initiative to fund this fabulous hall at the club's sponsor,premises O'Leary's Showrooms, Lissarda, with Billy Morgan, Cork's football supremo himself, launching it. It was to take the format of a confined 300 member's draw with tickets priced at a cool  1000 with  50,000 in prizes. First prize of  40,000, second prize of  6,000 and third prize of  4,000.
On March 19th, another significant date in the club's history, the sod was turned on the site where our proposed complex would stand 9 months later. The Ring Brothers of Carrigadroghid were given the contract to build it.
The members of the Development Committee, under the guidance of Richard Hinchion, Chairman; Mary Down, Secretary and Donal O'Leary, Treasurer worked long and hard throughout the year approaching businesses and people of the locality alike to raise the necessary funds to complete the project
The club wish to acknowledge the generosity of the businesses, syndicates and individuals who purchased tickets and who contributed money to the draw. We thank you most sincerely.
So tension was increasing as we approached D-Day, Friday the 19th. People were stunned and equally impressed as they entered this modern facility. The complex consists of a large hall 60'x 40' with adjoining store rooms, toilets and a fully equipped kitchen. It has a nice sized meeting room, while upstairs are changing rooms, office and viewing area overlooking the JACK FITZGERALD PARK.
Club chairman, Billy Crowley opened the proceedings, extending a warm welcome to one and all and congratulated the fundraising committee on their marvellous work and the community are so fortunate to have this facility at their doorstep. Richard Hinchion acted as M.C. for the remainder of the evening.
Guest speakers included Fr. Tim O'Sullivan, PP Kilmurry and club patron; Mr. Frank McCarthy, Chairman of Mid-Cork Board and Mr. Jim Forbes, Chairman of Cork County Board. All the speakers praised the club on the undertaking of this major initiative and saw it through by raising the necessary funds to complete it, and great credit is due to those who made this vision a reality.
Mr. Paudie Palmer, Sports Commentator from 103FM, had the honour of presiding over the drawing of tickets in this unusual draw. He was stunned and amazed that Kilmurry had managed to sell 217 tickets against all the odds.
He could hear a pin drop when the drum was opened and the winning ticket number was held up to the crowd and Paudie confirmed the M.J. Kelleher & Sons, Clondrohid were the winners of  40,000 to the applause of the crowd.
The second ticket out of the drum for a prize of  6,000 was a syndicate of Pat Galvin, Hornhill: Jim Curtain, Farnanes; Margaret Kelleher, Curraclough and Colum O'Sullivan, Scaffolding Cork. The third ticket drawn for a prize of  4,000 was John Joe Cahalane, Curraclough. So there was a number of people who were really looking forward to a very Happy 2003 Christmas
Overall the development committee were delighted with the success of this draw selling 217 tickets as well as receiving  6000 in contributions
The overall cost of the project is  375000 and we were fortunate to have received a major grant of  125000 from the national lottery last year. 2800 of amenity grant has being approved by cork county council along with  8000 being awarded by Munster council days before the draw. So with the inclusion of  50,000 from the club resources it looks there will be a very small shortfall.
Richard hinchoin chairman of the development committee complimented the people for their support and the raising of this money was a major achievement for a small rural gaa club in mid cork.
In conclusion he paid tribute to all those whom helped in anyway to get the hall ready the big night along with those who supplied and served refreshment to round of a very enjoyable evening.
So now a modern facility is erected and available to cater for the needs of the people of the surrounding hinterland.