North Longford GAA club plan 'game-changing' expansion of home grounds

Fr Manning Gaels GAA have compiled an extensive blueprint for Monaduff Park, which officials believe will transform the wider Drumlish and Ballinamuck area's recreational offering for years to come.

The major plans, which were officially lodged with Longford County Council earlier today (Wednesday), entail the proposed construction of a multi-purpose building incorporating a 25 metre long swimming pool, changing rooms, treatment rooms, a state of the art gym and handball facilities.

The plans also include provisions for an astro turf pitch as well as some of the most modern and cutting edge sports apparatus typified by the likes of a sauna, steam room and ice bath facilities.

In order to sustain what is expected to be an increase in footfall at the grounds, the development will be accessible via a walkway from Drumlish as well as a proposed similar off road facility from Monaduff to Ballinamuck.

In a further move, the club have also detailed plans to carry out an extension to its existing clubhouse, among which include the addition of two new dressing rooms.

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While no definitive figure has been put on the estimated cost of the project, club chairman Michael Mulleady said the finished project, subject to planning approval would more than meet the demands of the local community as a whole.

'This is game-changing,' he said.

'We have two national schools in the area with 250 kids in Drumlish and 90 in Ballinamuck'.

'Then there is St Helen's (Ladies GFC), St Vincent's Minor Club, Mothers and Others and that's before you even consider Fr Manning Gaels. 

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'We have a lot of teams and both Drumlish and Ballinamuck have expanded in recent years and while it is a substantial development, this is not just about Fr Manning Gaels, this is for the whole community.

'As well as that, Gaelic For All with Longford AIRC that support children with disabilities through sport have been a regular user of the clubhouse and hopefully the astro turf pitch, subject to planning, will be very beneficial to that organisation also.'

In a bid to facilitate the large numbers and other clubs and sporting organisations from around the north Longford area, club bosses have included plans for a new car park that will cater for up to 150 vehicles. 

But for the onset of Covid-19, the development itself may well have commenced a lot earlier after the site was snapped up by the Drumlish based outfit around three years ago.

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Club officials hope, should planning be granted over the next six weeks, to immediately begin fundraising with aspirations also high of possible State aid from the likes of Sport Ireland.

'This is a three to five year plan,' added Mr Mulleady.

'Hopefully in the next two to three months we can start to get the ball rolling with fundraising. This is not just what Drumlish and Ballinamuck needs, it is for the whole area for clubs and people of all ages to come and experience.'

A decision on the planning application is expected to be made on or before August 1.