50th anniversary of Páirc an tAthair Peadar Ó Laoghaire sees application for a second pitch
Castlelyons GAA Club has applied to Cork County Council for planning permission to construct a fully drained playing pitch adjacent to the existing playing pitch.
PRO for the club, Kieran McGann, told TheAvondhu that this is something the club has been working on for quite some time now and news of the new development coincides with the 50th anniversary of the opening of the existing pitch in 1971.
The timely announcement also follows the 100th anniversary of Páirc an tAthair Peadar Ó Laoghaire’s namesake, who was commemorated last year. An tAthair was a Gaeltacht author (ó Mhuscraí), who spent nearly 30 years in Castlelyons, writing all his books there while parish priest from 1891 to 1920.
A need for the development was identified as Mr McGann noted, the club has progressed over the years, playing senior for a number of years and now playing premiere intermediate.
‘EXCITING DEVELOPMENT’
Castlelyons Camogie Club also reformed some years ago, according to Mr McGann, and they too use Pairc an tAthair Peadar Ó Laoghaire.
“There was a need for a second pitch and we were seeking out lands for a long number of years. We recently purchased two lots around the existing pitch totalling 9.5 hectares. We have now paid for that.
“We are grateful to the vendors for selling us this land and we are very thankful to our two major benefactors and others who helped also, and we acquired a GAA grant and a GAA loan for the purchase of the land,” Mr McGann confirmed.
A committee was set up to process the club development and a number of meetings were held which has now seen the Castlelyons GAA Club reach the stage of applying for the planning of a second pitch.
“This is an exciting development but it is also challenging due to the present times. We are applying for a Sports Capital Grant but we’ll have to match that with suitable funds which we hope to raise in the future,” Mr McGann added.
The new development is to include 12 metre high goalposts and ball retention nets spanning approximately 25 metres wide at either end line.
A one-way exit-road with a new played exit onto Abbey Lane is also included in the application along with a car parking space between the existing and proposed playing pitch walkway.
It is proposed that a public walkway around the site forms part of the application as well as a relocation of the existing scoreboard and all associated site works.
Around the perimeter of the proposed playing pitch, 5 metres from the side and end lines, a 1.5 metre high fence is to be constructed in accordance with GAA guidelines.
“We will be producing a masterplan which will facilitate other development also and include a fundraising model but it is impossible to set out detailed timelines due to the present scene,” Mr McGann concluded.