New training base for Offaly Camogie mooted

Offaly Camogie could have a dedicated “base for the development of its teams” in the future, should an ambitious plan for a pitch and training facilities in Crinkill move forward.

On September 1 last, Offaly Camogie Grounds Company Limited by Guarantee submitted a proposal to Offaly County Council for a 4.68 hectare site owned by Crinkill GAA club, encompassing a new grass camogie pitch with surrounding fence, ball stop, dugouts, floodlights and a ball wall.

A new walking track would also be developed to the perimeter of the site, which is located to the rear (east) of the existing Crinkill GAA pitch and would be accessed by the existing entrance and car park on the Boherdeel Road, Ballinree.

Offaly Camogie has agreed a 30-year lease on the land with Crinkill GAA, according to the planning documents, and a letter of consent is included with the application from Robert Parkinson, Chairman of Crinkill GAA club giving them full permission to apply for planning approval to develop the dedicated training facility for camogie teams.

In an Architectural Design Statement lodged in support of project, the applicant argues that Offaly has a strong camogie tradition with a “vibrant and growing community that needs a base for the development of its teams”.

“A great deal of effort by Offaly Camogie has gone into locating and securing a viable piece of land. The intention is that this facility could be used by the wider community as well as Offaly Camogie teams and is accessible for games development,” it adds, maintaining that the greenfield site is well suited for the development due to its location on the site of existing GAA grounds and its close proximity to Crinkill and Birr town.

“We believe that this development will be a positive addition to the local area as it will provide of a community walking track, expansion an existing established sports grounds with the potential for multifunctional usage, and a dedicated facility to promote and enhance a female sport in the county,” says Offaly Camogie Grounds Company Limited.

The application's primary objective is to create a dedicated training facility for Offaly Camogie with a full size floodlit pitch, and to facilitate wider community uses through the walking track, ball wall. Any access or run off spaces could be used as additional warm-up/recreational space.

The main pitch would have dug outs to provide shelter to players, and these facilities will be enclosed by fencing and a walking track will hug the perimeter of the site, according to the planning documents lodged in support of the project.

There would be no physical boundary between the Crinkill GAA and Offaly Camogie pitches, the facilities will be “connected and permeable”, and the surrounding walking track will link both pitches to create a greater sense of community between the two, the plans continue, adding that the open spaces allow for a variety of activities to take place across the development as well as the intended sporting uses.

Approximately 128 parking spaces are already provided there and the applicant argues no further provision is needed.

Offaly County Council is due to give a decision on the application by October 26 next.