The football pitch we sublet from our friends and Birdhill AFC on the Old Dublin Road is ceasing life as a football pitch this month. For over 30 years it’s been a sports facility provided by the landowner on the clear understanding that if required for farming it would be returned. Commercial reality being what it is, the owners have recalled the pitch for agricultural necessity. We fully respect the landowner’s decision and we are grateful for the amenity afforded to us and other sports clubs for many years.

This puts a lot of pressure on our club. With over 600 members and 36 squads and only one full-sized pitch in Clarisford, we need access to more playing facilities. We enjoy great relationships with our neighbouring clubs and organisations. Clarisford Park Ltd is a wonderful partner and the 3G pitch is a vital resource. St Annes Community College facilitates our academy sessions on Saturday. Our friends in Smith O’Brien’s GAA host our youngest squads for indoor training sessions, Ballina NS has been used for small-sided games, we train on Derg Ac track and the new astro facility in Boher is a wonderful resource. All these resources have allowed our club to grow, with our growth rates coming from a massive increase in underage football, with the girls game in particular thriving.

Short term we have a real urgency and longer term we need facilities to support our community contribution through accessible sports for all. Every Saturday in season we would have played 3 matches on Dublin Road pitch. When evening light permits, we played midweek games and training sessions and this field was a hub of sporting activity. All this activity needs to find a new location as the alternative of offering less sport appeals to none of us. Clarisford is our pride and joy and will remain our home, but we cant expand here. We are calling on our members, friends and supporters to help us out:

*Are there existing facilities we can access for games / training?

*Are there lands we can lease / buy with a view to developing?

*Can state bodies like County Councils, Education & Training Boards etc help?

If you think you can help, please contact Ray Hickey 086 6010551 or any of the coaches or committee at Lough Derg FC.

Yours in sport,

Hon the Derg!