Clondalkin Rugby Club are building for the future

THE hard work paid off for Clondalkin Rugby Club at the Active South Dublin Sports Awards run in con-junction with The Echo Newspaper, South Dublin County Council and The Plaza Hotel after they were presented with the Club Development Award.

The club has been working hard on and off the field with a huge increase in the number of playing teams while also making the ambitious move from Gordan Park to Kingswood Farm as the club say are ‘Building For the Future’ Clondalkin RFC chairman Tom Duffy told The Echo: “It was fantastic to have the hard work of the club being recognised, by SDCC, Active South Dublin and The Echo, and highlighted the importance of what the club is hoping to achieve.

The development award acts as further encouragement, of a journey which commenced in January 2021”.

“It was a fantastic evening, which allowed us to interact with other codes, who are on a similar journey, also to witness the fantastic work being done by sports clubs and volunteers throughout the county”.

The club was extremely lucky to be built on such solid foundations, when almost 50 years ago the original grounds “Gordon Park” were purchased, for £25,000 , with a small bank loan from Bank of Ireland, and loans by the members of the club.

The club’s Development Committee became aware of the parcel of land 23 acres in Baldonnel, only 750 metres from the existing grounds, expanding the club’s footprint from 5.5 acres to 23 acres.

This was a once in a generation opportunity, and the club unanimously backed the decision to purchase the new site and sell our existing grounds.

The club worked, with the developer of the old site, which allowed us work, within our season timeline, and with the help of our volunteers, see the move to the new site.

SDCC, support via the planning process was invaluable, which can be quite complex and via the Sports Partnership, provided practical support, to ensure the project got off the ground.

“We will require the continued support of SDCC and indeed government to see the completion of the project, and the club has recently applied for a Sports Capital grant which we hope will receive a positive response,” said chairmam Tom Duffy.

Players and management of Ballyboden St Enda’s U21 Football Championship team at the awards night

“The Club is committed to the ecology of the area, have recently created an Ecology Officer position, it is hoped we can support ecology of the site, in our current and future decision making.

“We were delighted to have the opportunity to have An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar officially open the pitches in August 2023, along with SDCC Lord Mayor, and local representatives.

“The facility, we feel provides much needed sports facilities to Clondalkin and wider areas, our membership, includes, residents, of Newcastle, Lucan , Clondalkin, Rathcoole, Blessington, Tallaght”.

Round Tower GAA Club Senior Ladies football team picked up a Team of the Month Award

The club had 310 members, attend the Leinster vs Stade Francais game two weeks ago, with four coach loads of kids heading off to the Aviva, many for their first time.

Clondalkin, has always been about participation, however they greatly restricted by our small footprint and only two pitches.

The new grounds will allow the club to expand to 4 ½ pitches and our newly laid main pitch is of international dimensions with first matches in September 2024.

“We are seeing rapid growth in our numbers.

“New players are always welcome, check out our socials to see the details.

“Fielding three men’s and two women’s senior teams , 3 youth girls, 5 youth boys, and over 300 kids in our mini section (6-12 years of age).

“New additions are our growing Toddlers group and now our recently added Inclusive Rugby team catering for those with a disability.”