Sacred Heart FC unveil their new clubhouse plans

By Stephen Leonard

SACRED Heart Football Club have, this week, unveiled plans for a proposed new clubhouse in their grounds in Killinarden.

The new facility would contain six dressing rooms, a gym, team room, referee’s room and meeting room along with a spectator stand.

While the cost has been estimated at between €1 million and €1.5 million, the club is confident they can reduce that figure with the help of a number of local businesses who have offered their services.

Initial plans have already been drawn up by PM Group and meetings with the South Dublin County Council are planned over the coming weeks.

In all, the club is hoping to have this proposed new facility in place within a two-year time frame as part of an overall five-year plan which will include the possible development of new five-a-side pitches.

“It’s only at the concept stage, but we have to keep moving forward as a club so why not do this?” said Sacred Heart’s Alan Gibbons.

Fielding senior teams and schoolboy sides at every age group, Sacred Heart is one of the best structured clubs in the region.

Already the club boasts a full size astro pitch, two full-size grass pitches and a seven-a-side pitch in their grounds.

On the football side, the club has recently appointed League of Ireland star Jason Byrne as Head Coach with Niall Byrne returning to the club to manage the first team.

After spending eight years coaching in the US, Chris Kavanagh has returned home and takes up the post of Director of Schoolboy Football.

Pat Heffernan has helped bring about the establishment of a Girls Under 15 team in Sacred Heart while newly appointed Ireland Under 18 Head Coach Jim Crawford currently runs the ‘Football For All’ programme in the club which caters for participants from Tallaght, Clondalkin, Lucan and Palmerstown.

Already a hive of activity, Sacred Heart Football Club is fast becoming a valuable asset for the whole community.

Indeed club officials are hoping to discuss with the Council proposals to develop the carpark there in a move that will benefit local hill walkers.