St Anne’s GAA club near to closing €3m deal
By Aideen O' Flaherty & William O' Connor
CHRISTMAS could be coming early for a local GAA club, as it’s believed they’re close to securing a deal with a housing developer for three-and-a-half acres of land worth an estimated €3.2 million.
St Anne’s GAA Club in Bohernabreena called an Extraordinary General Meeting in their clubhouse last week for club members to consider and approve proposals in relation to the club’s repayment of a loan, which is believed to be in the region of €1.02 million.
St Anne's GAA Club, Bohernabreena
It is believed that the club is in the process of securing a substantial deal with housing developer Michael Whelan of Old Court Investments, where the club will sell a portion of land at the club grounds to the developer.
Sources have claimed that part of the deal will involve the developer sponsoring the club’s senior team for ten years, while the sale includes a land swap for a pitch and new changing facilitaties within the area.
Club members unanimously voted in favour of the plans at the EGM, as the club is planning to repay their debt to the banks which is seeking repayment of the club’s loan, and if the deal goes ahead the club has the potential to net a substantial sum of money.
A club source told The Echo: “This is a fantastic agreement for the club. It got great support from members and it will help the club grow with the area with so many developments going up”.
St Anne’s is one of the strongest clubs in the area and the deal is sure to boost all sections at the Bohernabreena club.
The club has senior men’s football teams along with a strong juvenile section while they have developed their camogie and ladies football sections over the past few years.
They have a strong Macra nursery section while the club’s summer camps have grown in numbers over the years.
There is a huge amount of development currently under way in St Anne’s catchment area, including Oldcourt and Ballycullen, and this deal will be of huge benefit to its members.
Ballyboden St Enda’s GAA Club secured a deal with Mr Whelan when he was with Maplewood Developments for the sale of the Oldcourt pitches for €12m in 2003, where he later developed houses, and he also sponsored the club’s senior team as part of the deal.
