Rugby club appeals for help to restore surface of Carraig pitch

RUGBAÍ Chorca Dhuibhne is able to compete at every level on the field of play, but the home pitch of the most westerly club in Ireland is being defeated by the weather.

The club, which is celebrating its 20th year, is struggling to maintain the playing surface at its pitch in Carraig.

According to Club Chairman Pat Fitzgerald, the condition of the pitch is working against the players “The inability to play an important under-16s game in Carraig last season confounded matters when home advantage had to be ceded for a game that we would have been more than fancied to win on home soil, denying the young lads a chance of progression,” he said.

As rugby is played during the winter months the pitch has to be able to deal with the often atrocious weather conditions in West Kerry. The proposed work includes a draingage plan and surface work to restore the pitch to a playable condition.

While recognising that these are difficult times for many people, the club is appealing for help. “Ba dheas linn é a chur ina cheart sula dtosnaíonn an traenáil agus na cluichí ag deireadh mí Lúnasa,” the club says.

Established in 1999, the club draws its members from Camp to Feothanach. Last year in the region of 60 underage members registered, and this is in addition to the almost 40 senior players.

The club has established a fund raising page on the Go fund Me website, and has so far have raised over €3,000 of a €10,000 target. To donate go to https://www.gofundme.com/f/ rcd-development-fund.