Plight of 'homeless' Stamullen FC raised in Dáil

The plight of Stamullen FC, which finds itself homeless after the arrangement it had with Gormanston Park to rent playing pitches was recently terminated, was raised in the Dáil yesterday evening by Sinn Féin East Meath TD Darren O'Rourke.

The club, which has 20 teams, 320 players and 750 members, had used the playing pitches at Gormanston College for more than 10 years, but recently Gormanston Park, which now owns the lands, terminated the arrangement leaving the club homeless.

The lack of publicly owned lands in Stamullen remains a huge stumbling block for the provision of community facilities such as a permanent grounds for Stamullen FC and also other amenities including a playground, skate park and scouts den.

Appealing to Sports Minister Jack Chambers in the Dáil yesterday evening for whatever assistance could be provided, Deputy O'Rourke said a "really unforgivable situation" had been allowed to arise where the club has found itself homeless.

Deputy O'Rourke said: "The arrangement it had in place, a rental agreement with Gormanston Park, has been terminated. This is a sore point because Gormanston Park uses the facility of the former Gormanston College, a long-time Franciscan private school with grounds. It received significant State funding over the years and Gormanston College will receive significant State funding in the time ahead for a new education campus. However, the contract for use of the green fields and playing pitches that had been rented from this new entity, Gormanston Park, for some years has been terminated based on a commercial decision. Gormanston Park sees its future elsewhere.

"This is hugely frustrating for Stamullen FC, which finds itself homeless this year. The nature of that rental agreement and the obvious intention of Gormanston Park have placed it in a precarious position every year. The club has sought support from elected representatives, the local authority, local landowners, developers and other clubs in the area, many of which also face severe restrictions in terms of access to playing facilities. It has also engaged with the Department of Defence through the Gormanston Army camp. It is now entirely dependent on St. Patrick’s GAA Club in the Stamullen area and Cloghertown United, which is based in Clonalvy, some distance away. I commend both St. Pat’s and Clonalvy on the solidarity and support they have shown Stamullen FC in its hour of need.

"An unforgivable situation has been allowed to arise, however. I point to the responsibility of authorities for proper planning and sustainable development."

Thursday evening's Dáil debate

Deputy O'Rourke also highlighted how the population of the Stamullen area is now 5,500, up 10 per cent since the last census in 2016.

" Volunteers are giving their time and putting effort into growing the club but they have hit brick wall after brick wall when they have tried to secure a plot of land on which the club can train and play its matches. I am looking to the Minister of State for his support and advice on the matter."

Minister Chambers outlined the various funding streams available for capital infrastructure and said any future applications from the club would be considered but highlighted that there is no precedent for his Department to purchase lands, and put the onus firmly with Meath County Council in this regard.

"Meath is a proud sporting county that invests in its facilities through the local authority. There is an obligation on the local authority, at least, to work with the club and local community to identify what land could be available, with a view to then availing of the significant funding opportunities that will be available. That is the direct means in terms of land acquisition. Obviously, we try to fund the capital infrastructure, but there is no precedent for us to purchase land."

Deputy O'Rourke said Stamullen and similar areas need a vehicle that can, on behalf of the State, acquire lands for public use, such as a municipal park.

Minister Chambers said they are trying to encourage local authority lead sports facilities and that land and land acquisition is primarily the responsibility of the local authority, and encouraged Meath County Council to come together with local clubs to see what land is available in the broader Stamulen area and then look at the funding opportunities that will arise.

"Those are the types of projects that yield the best participation, build better facilities and have a much better municipal benefit for everybody. I encourage all parties to progress that in the interests of young people whom I know want better facilities in their local community, " he said.

Since the club lost use of the playing pitches at Gormanston, it has been relying on St Pat's GAA club's astro turf pitches for training and had to play its home matches away. They are also very grateful to Cloghertown United in Clonalvy, for agreeing to facilitate the club's matchs for the next season.