‘Long-term’ boost for Inishowen
Rugby Club
01.12.11
by
Caoimhinn Barr, Inishowen Independent
Inishowen Rugby Club has been boosted by the news this
week that Donegal County Council could be about to grant
it a ‘long-term’ lease of the playing pitches in Carn.
Club President John Merritt said the proposed move will
give the club security going forward and enable it to
press ahead with a number of developments in the future.
“We are delighted with the news, absolutely. We have two
pitches in Carn and this will allow us to do them all up
with new drainage and floodlights. It will enable us to
plan for the long-term and apply for funding for future
improvement works,” he said.
John said improving drainage at the Moss Road pitches
will be the first order of business for Inishowen RFC.
“At the moment we are going through muck but now the
drainage can be solved. It won’t happen overnight but we
can solve a lot of our issues as a result of the lease
agreement.”
The Inishowen rugby chief said the game is becoming more
and more popular here with the senior team enjoying a
successful season to date.
“We have more than eighty children playing rugby in Carn
every Wednesday night and we hope to attract more with
improved facilities in the future,” he added.
Donegal County Council is set to enter into the
long-term lease agreement with Inishowen RFC following a
motion tabled by Culdaff councillor Bernard McGuinness
on Monday.
The motion was seconded by Cllr. Rena Donaghey, who
described the local rugby club as ‘unique’.
“Inishowen Rugby Club is unique in that it is the only
such club in the peninsula. Club members have used this
field for almost half a century but because their lease
has always been from year to year they do not have the
stability to allow them to apply or receive any kind of
substantial funding to enable them to do much needed
refurbishment works,” she said.
Cllr. Donaghey said committee members work tirelessly
for the promotion and encouragement of rugby in
Inishowen amongst young and old, boys and girls, men and
women.
“I am delighted to second this motion and I urge Donegal
County Council to enter into a long-term lease with
Inishowen Rugby Club,” she said.
The County Manager will enter into negotiations with the
club early in the New Year to try to resolve the
situation.
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