Enniscrone/Kilglass hit back at Councillor over ‘hurtful’ remarks
THREE weeks after hosting the Sligo Senior Football county final, Enniscrone/Kilglass GAA club found itself having to refute remarks made by a Mayo councillor at a meeting of Castlebar Municipal District where he said the grounds were unsuitable for the Connacht Senior club championship game between Tourlestrane and Ballintubber the previous weekend.
Cllr Al McDonnell, who was supporting Ballintubber at the game on November 4th, told the meeting that the grounds at Enniscrone were unsuitable as there was a lack of parking and spectator facilities and described the conditions all round as ‘quite deplorable’. He also criticised the changing room facilities.
His comments have been greeted with disappointment from the Enniscrone/Kilglass club who issued a lengthy statement on Wednesday. the club provided for parking for up to 1000 extra cars within 300 metres of the ground, in co-operation with local landowners.
“The Councillor also stated that, “The pitch itself had no spectator accommodation at all” and that patrons attending the game were “all on the same level as the players were playing on”.
“These claims are unsubstantiated. The club has two covered stands, each providing cover for spectators, and terracing along the whole road-side of the pitch. These areas are all above the level of the playing surface, as is evident to anyone who has attended any fixture at the ground.
“The Councillor also made a serious charge at the club’s changing facilities, criticising without first-hand knowledge of our dressing rooms.
“Both teams were provided with two dressing rooms for Sunday’s fixture. In addition, both teams were given access to the club’s state-of-the-art indoor astro turf pitch, to cater for pre-warm up activities such as foam rolling and band work.
“This facility is one of only a handful in the country. In addition, as a secondary county ground, the grounds are inspected by Connacht Council and Croke Park officials to ensure everything is up to standard.
“No issues arose following these inspections.
“The Councillor also spoke of the ‘terrible breeze blowing in from the Atlantic’. This is quite simply a ludicrous comment.
“The club requests that Cllr McDonnell apologises to the 80-strong team of stewards, who gave five hours of their Sunday to ensure a safe and enjoyable afternoon for supporters of both Ballintubber and Tourlestrane.
“The statements made by the Councillor have caused deep hurt to the many people, past and present, who have given so much of their time to developing our grounds to the extent that they have.
“We also note that these comments are the only negative comments we have received following hosting of the Sligo County finals on October 14th with Uachtarán Cumann Lúthchleas Gael John Horan in attendance, the Connacht Club IFC game between Shamrock Gaels and Fenagh St Cailins and Sunday’s Senior tie.
“All eight competing teams were complimentary about the grounds and associated facilities.
“We look forward to hosting Saturday’s Connacht JFC tie between Easkey and Balla.
“We are proud of our club, proud of our people and proud of our facilities,” the statement concluded.
WE ARE PROUD OF OUR CLUB, OUR PEOPLE AND OUR FACILITIES.