PLANS to develop a community all-weather pitch have been lodged by Tulla Community Council this week. The proposed development, which would include floodlighting and associated ancillary works at Cragg in Tulla, is one of two proposed community pitches currently being mooted locally.
Jim O’Sullivan, chairman of Tulla Community Council, explained that the proposal has been in the pipeline for some time. It had been envisaged that it would be at an advanced stage by September of this year but it has been delayed.
The proposed plans have been submitted to the local authority for planning permission and it is expected that a public information meeting will take place next month to discuss the project.
A similar proposal has also been tabled by another group in the village and Jim Cooney, former principal of St Joseph’s Secondary School, is involved in that project.
He said that that project is currently in the very early stages and the site for their proposed development has not yet been purchased, despite local backing.
“We are working our way through a plan at the moment in the background and we are currently looking at feasibility. I wouldn’t expect that there would be any developments until at least September,” Mr Cooney said.
This project involves the purchase of 11 acres of land at Loughaun South for the proposed development of a playing pitch and community facilities. The site would enable the development of playing fields, a hard surface games area and a community/sports hall with multipurpose capability.
While Tulla Community Council’s planning application relates solely to the development of an AstroTurf playing pitch for use by the community, local clubs and sporting organisations, Mr O’Sullivan said he would hope both pitches being sought would get the go-ahead.
Although the proposed pitch would be located at the soccer pitch in Cragg, he stressed it would be for use by all the clubs and schools in the area and not just the soccer club. “Plans and fundraising is ongoing. We are hoping that the community and clubs will use it. We are to have an information meeting in August so the community can see what is happening with it. We’re hoping to get both pitches for the village and are hoping not to be in conflict over this,” he said. 
Tulla soccer club has two pitches at Cragg, while Tulla GAA have a hurling pitch at Knockadoon.
Meanwhile, the Clare County Board is to develop seven pitches as part of a large sports development at Caherlogan. 
The addition of two community pitches, according to Mr O’Sullivan, would be of particular benefit to the local community, as the people of Tulla will not have regular access to the proposed new GAA grounds.