School track lays groundwork for new club

SCARIFF could become the new home of East Clare athletics as a call has been issued to form a track and field athletics club based at of new facilities in the local community college.

Scariff Community College has recently completed playing pitch and track developments on the school grounds following a series of drainage works and now it is hoped the facilities could be used to benefit the greater East Clare community.
Among the facilities included in the recent works is a running track and school principal, Seán Daly said he would like to see the formation of a local athletics club.
“I would hope it would be possible to get a club together. Community is an important word for our school and now there are facilities there I hope this would help to encourage people back into athletics. There is a proud history of achievement in athletics in East Clare. I was surprised to discover it’s the only track in East Clare. In my own experience, people from East Clare have to go to Limerick or Ennis for training and I’d love to see a club started here. There is a big tradition of cross country but I think track and field events are poorly catered for. This could be the genesis of a club in Scariff and if people want to get something going, I would welcome it,” Mr Daly said.
He added that with a locally based club, the two organisations could work together to provide increased community facilities from the school grounds.
“A club could help see the facility develop even further, with the possibility of putting in some lighting. I would love if people were interested in setting up a club if they could come and talk to us. A club here would be mutually beneficial as we would have students who would be keen on getting involved,” the principal added.
The work on the sand finished track, which surrounds a long established playing field, was completed recently following a series of drainage and maintenance work on the school grounds.
The existing pitch facilities had been limited when the weather was bad but through the efforts of a group made up of staff, students and friends of the college a major drainage project was set into motion.
Following a number of fundraising events and contributions from the county VEC and the Munster Council of the GAA the works were made possible.
The erection of goalposts donated by Scariff GAA saw the finishing touches put to the works.
Although the facilities have not yet been officially opened, they are currently being utilised by the school’s hurling and camogie teams for training as well as for other school activities but the pitch and track are expected to be formally unveiled to the public in the coming months.
“It is hoped that students with a bent for athletics will be encouraged to become more involved and the track is available for the college’s hurling and camogie teams for training also,” Mr Daly concluded.
Meanwhile, James Sexton, PRO with the Clare Athletics Association accepts that with the large catchment area in East Clare, a track and field club in Scariff would be beneficial to the area and to interested athletes.
He acknowledged there was a need for a juvenile club to set up in the area and highlighted that many of the track and field athletes travelled to nearby Nenagh or into Ennis and even to Limerick to be part of a club.
“I would welcome a new athletics club and would hope some club would set up there. It is very close to Limerick and as far as track is involved, there is no athletics track from Nenagh up to Portumna and there are also a lot of people involved in athletics from the Killaloe area and Gort area that could come towards East Clare for events. If a club was set up, we would look at holding events there. It would be a big benefit for the people of Scariff and Tuamgraney,” Mr Sexton explained.
Anyone who is interested in setting up such a club is asked to contact Seán Daly at Scariff Community College on 061 921083.