Clubs to share grounds

Davitt Park, the home of Clan na Gael, St. Paul’s ground in Taghnevan and Wolfe Tones’ Pairc na Ropara in Derrymacash will all be closed this season.

A re-scheduling of fixtures will be set in place to accommodate those clubs who will be without an official home venue.

Last year St. Paul’s, who are undertaking major works at Monbrief, played their home games at Davitt Park, but 2010 will see the Taghnevan side travel across town to their fellow saints at Freecrow.

Joe Fitzsimmons, chairman of St. Paul’s, said that one of their two new pitches should be ready for around August.

He added: “We are hoping to have our full-size training pitch ready for action some stage in August. Our playing field, however, won’t see any action until a bit later.

“So for the time being our seniors will be playing at St Peter’s with our underage games taking place at Lismore.”

Meanwhile ire g Chairman John Brennan has confirmed that the Pinebank club will be accommodating the Wolfe Tones club whose ground is closed.

“I met with the Tones Committee recently,” said John, “and we are glad to be able to help out at this time.”

At the time of going to Press, the ‘MAIl’ was unable to ascertain where Clan na Gael will be playing in the upcoming season.

Clans’ senior manager, Gerard Skelton, said: “I believe things will be sorted out soon in this regard. As far as I am aware, redevelopment work will be starting at Davitt Park in the very near future.”

With Clann ireann Park and Father McGeown POark in Derrytrasna the only remaining alternatives, the Clan na Gael committee will be keen to secure a home venue soon.

The county board’s fixtures committee will be given the task of balancing home and away games for local clubs.

In 2010 seven local senior sides will share just four grounds in the greater Lurgan-Craigavon area.

This could prove to be a difficult logistical scenario considering that scores of underage matches must also be accommodated.