HomeMy WebLinkAbout2560386 - F.I. Received Doc. - Letter from Castleblayney Faughs GFC
Cumann Fàg an Bealach
Castleblayney Faughs GFC
Telephone: 087 7617216
secretary.castleblayney.monaghan@gaa.ie
A Chara,
Further to the request from Monaghan County Council for further information regarding the application by
Castleblayney College and Castleblayney Faughs to upgrade the current juvenile field at St. Mary's Park
Castleblayney, I submit the following on behalf of Castleblayney Faughs GFC.
The current use of the subject pitch is as a training area for teams of varying ages, match fixtures up to Under 12 level,
and as a warm up area for adult and older underage teams before fixtures on the primary pitch. The pitch is used very
intensively by numerous teams and codes and has been a vital element of the overall facilities since the early 1970s.
There have never been any issues of impact on traffic or neighbouring dwellings that we are aware of. The extension
of the pitch, rather than intensifying usage, would help to reduce this by spreading the usage over a more extensive
area.
Adult fixtures in all codes and genders currently take place on the primary pitch at St Mary's Park where possible. In
the event of a clash of fixtures, the recently completed second full-size pitch is available.
With increasing participation, and particularly the expansion of ladies’ teams, more space is needed to accommodate
training sessions for various teams. This is the primary driver of the move to extend the subject pitch to a full-size pitch.
It is not expected that the new full-size pitch would be used for adult competitive fixtures. It may be used for some older
underage fixtures, ladies’ fixtures, or schools’ fixtures occasionally.
The proposed skills wall is essentially an enhancement of a facility which is already in place and has previously been
used for this purpose over many years. Again, there is no knowledge of any previous impact on neighbouring houses
or road users.
Currently 64 Castleblayney Faughs male and female teams, Castleblayney Hurling Club, Castleblayney Camogie
Club, two secondary schools and two primary schools use the facilities at St. Mary's Park. All adult and underage
groups from U 14 to minor grades use the other two pitches at St. Mary's park for competitive fixtures. The proposed
new playing field will continue to be used for U 8 – U12 team fixtures. All teams mentioned above currently use the
subject pitch for training.
The three pitches at St. Mary's Park are currently used by Castleblayney College, Our Lady’s Secondary School and
St. Mary’s Boys’ School during school hours. The previously mentioned teams and clubs use the facilities throughout
the year at all other times. The proposed development will ensure that the teams mentioned will have appropriate
facilities to use.
In recent years, Castleblayney Faughs has developed and enhanced the parking facilities available at St. Mary's Park.
This has significantly reduced the number of cars that park outside the grounds on the main road. On match days,
entry and exiting of the grounds are appropriately managed and stewarded as per the GAA’s Health and Safety
Guidelines,
Is mise le gach dea ghuí
Reamon MacAodha / Raymond McHugh
Cathaoirleach RECEIVED: 19/05/2026