Work forges ahead on new Cherry Orchard all-weather pitch

By Laura Lyne

AS CHERRY Orchard FC continues its growth, work has begun on its new all-weather pitch which is set to benefit and facilitate training for all members of the club.

The pitch is being built as part of an overall plan for the club, which previously saw the development of a new, state-of-the-art clubhouse and changing rooms which opened in 2013.

Club chairman Tom Kennedy confirmed to The Echo that work on the all-weather pitch is due to be completed by the end of the month, weather permitting.

Speaking to The Echo, Tom said: “We’re about 10weeks into it now, and we should be finished with it all by the end of August.

“There’s a definite feel-good factor around the club with the development, it was very much a case of now or never for it all to be developed.

“It’s been half-funded through a grant, and we’ve raised and borrowed for the remainder. We were paying around €40,000 a year to rent astro pitches and use other places for training.

“Now, the money will be going back into the club to help pay off the loan instead of going elsewhere.

“We have over 20 teams, and everyone is going to benefit. From a safety perspective, especially with the smaller kids, we will now have our own pitch where we can close the gate, which is reassuring for everyone.

“Our academy really was maxed out, but this pitch will now allow extra coaches and allow us to take in more kids for teams. We have our third female side starting this year, and this also facilitates that.

“We are also focused on bringing the community aspect back to the club, all the kids taking part now are local and from the area.

“It was a long time coming for the club. We have really good people here and we had to do it, to have the facilities match the name of the club so that our players can have the best opportunities.”