Opening of new floodlit pitch is ‘big step’ for St Anne’s GAA

THE opening of a new floodlit pitch in Ballycullen for the use of St Anne’s GAA Club has been described as “a big step for the club” by the vice-chairman, Declan Douglas.

While the pitch is due to be officially opened this week, it started to be used by the club last week, with a juvenile team training on it last Monday night marking the first activity on the green space.

A hurling match was also played on the pitch on Friday, though the pitch is primarily being used by 25 teams from the club’s juvenile section.

Vice-chairman of St Anne’s GAA Club, Declan Douglas, told The Echo: “The pitch is being used all the time by the club for training and matches now.

“The club is growing and growing, so we’re tight for space, but the new pitch means we can spread out the teams, have more space, and take in more kids and have more facilities for them.”

The establishment of the new pitch has been a long time coming for the club, as they were locked out of it for an extended period of time due to legal issues.

St Anne’s U 11 Boys Hurlers

The pitch was sold to the club by developer Michael Whelan, who was part of one of the companies behind the wider Ballycullen residential development that the pitch is located in.

The club struck a deal with Mr Whelan to sell one of their floodlit pitches in Bohernabreena – which was zoned for residential use – and buy a pitch from him at his site in Ballycullen that was zoned for recreation.

A dispute arose between Mr Whelan’s company, Maplewood, and another company, Broadhaven, that it partnered with to develop the residential development in Ballycullen.

This dispute meant the club was effectively locked out of using the pitch, but the dispute has since been resolved and the club members are now relieved to have access to the pitch.

“We were waiting and waiting, so it’s fantastic to be able to use it now,” added Mr Douglas.

St Anne’s Jasmine, Ellen, Libby and Orla

“The kids love it, and a lot of the parents only saw it for the first time last week.

“A lot of our members live in Ballycullen, so there’s been a great reaction to it. It gives us more of a profile in the area and will hopefully encourage more people to join St Anne’s.”

The club members are excited to officially open the new pitch later this week, to mark the difference the new pitch will make to the future growth of the club.

“We’re doing it just to earmark it for the club,” said Mr Douglas. “It’s a big step for the club, and it will highlight the club and bring new members into the club from the area.”