North Longford GAA club's 'seven figure' development plans given green light

This website revealed in June how executive chiefs from Fr Manning Gaels had compiled comprehensive design plans to undertake a large scale redevelopment of its Monaduff Park headquarters.

The innovative proposals which entailed 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 were lodged with Longford County Council on June 7 last.

Described as 'game-changing' by the club's hierarchy, the plans also provided 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.

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The development, which the Leader understands will command a seven figure sum to bring to fruition, will be accessible via a walkway from Drumlish as well as a proposed similar off road facility from Monaduff to Ballinamuck.

Longfordleader.ie can this evening reveal that council planning officials formally approved the plans yesterday (Thursday), effectively paving the way for the project to get off the ground.

"It's massive news," said a delighted club chairman Michael Mulleady.

"We, as a club, are very thankful to get it (planning) and clearly Longford County Council saw our ambition as this is a development not just for the club, but it's for the future of the wider area."

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Mr Mulleady name-dropped the part played by chartered engineer Mark Cunningham of Cunningham Design and Planning in ensuring the plans met the approval of local authority senior officials.

The local construction boss stopped short of putting an estimated cost on the overall project, but did confirm it would be in the "seven figure bracket".

He said moves to source potential funding streams, including the possibility of drawing down a bank loan, were already being discussed among the north Longford GAA club's top brass.

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In thanking the club's 14 strong executive committee, Mr Mulleady added: "We need to look at putting a plan in place as to where we go from here.

"We will be putting a fundraising team together to see how we can go about raising funds and hopefully we will be able to get some support from the Government and we might also be looking for some help from the banks.

"We have also just come out from what was a hugely successful Marquee in Drumlish Festival and the funds we raised from that will go straight back into the development we are all so excited about."

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