Parteen GAA club wants new facilities to stay in Clare

Opposition to the controversial proposed boundary extension of Limerick City into Westbury and Shannon Banks has been expressed by a local GAA club member.

Speaking following the official opening of the new €500,000 all-weather AstroTurf facility in Westbury, field committee chairman PJ O’Doherty pointed out St Nicholas GAA Club is the only club inside the Clare boundary to have such state-of-the-art facilities.
The additions to the club include a new AstroTurf facility with lighting, a small pitch for juveniles, fencing and drainage. Fundraising was carried out for the new facilities by the development committee, which was set up in 2004.
Speaking to The Clare Champion, Mr O’Doherty pointed out that there are no comparable facilities elsewhere in the area and added that people would have to travel across Limerick City to Caherdavin to benefit from similar facilities.
The Limerick Local Government Committee, chaired by Mid-West Task Force chairman, Denis Brosnan has proposed that 3,000 living in South-East Clare should become part of a new enlarged Limerick City.
However, Mr O’Doherty, who lives in Ardnacrusha, stressed Parteen GAA Club remain vehemently opposed to any boundary extension as all their members want to remain in Clare.
“Parteen has an urban and rural hinterland, which is different to a lot of clubs in the area. Once you come over Athlunkard bridge you are in Clare. That is the way we want it to stay.
“I was thrilled with the way things turned out on Sunday. We had a great turnout for the official opening and everything went off very smoothly.
“Previously when it came to October every year we had nowhere to train and ended up losing players to soccer and rugby during the winter months until March.
“Now, we have people down in the field training practically every night of the week. These new facilities will be of huge benefit to the club,” he said.
The new facilities were formally unveiled by Robert Frost vice-chairman of the Munster Council, Michael O’Neill chairman of the Clare County Board and Pat Fitzgerald Clare County Board secretary.
The field was blessed by Fr Tom Carroll PP Parteen and Fr John Daly PP St Nicholas while the Ian Higgins’ Memorial Tournament in memory of the late Ian Higgins, who was a former club underage coach, proceeded the official opening.
A small function was held in the Tail Race Bar, Parteen for all members past and present after the opening.