Meelick’s GAA pitch is superior to the surface at Cusack Park, it was claimed this week.
Cllr Cathal Crowe made the surprising remark at the July meeting of the Shannon Municipal District when discussing the prevention of flooding at the grounds belonging to the South Clare club.
He proposed “That Clare County Council (Shannon Municipal District and Housing Department) undertake remedial works at the Knockalisheen Road and the Kilavoher housing estate to prevent flooding of lands owned by Meelick GAA club”. This was seconded by Cllr Mike McKee.
Senior Executive Engineer, Eugene O’Shea replied “Any drainage issues associated with the public road at this location will be investigated as soon as possible with a view to ensuring that drains and culverts in public areas are not causing upstream flooding issues. Associated water courses on private lands are a matter for the relevant landowners”.
“The pitch is better than the county grounds”, Cllr Crowe responded. He stated that it had hosted several high profile games. Some of these included Clare’s senior hurlers outings in the Waterford Crystal Cup, known now as the Munster senior hurling league, it previously held club U21 county hurling finals over a decade ago but in its recent past it has been given few games of major significance.
Crowe added that “a JCB for an hour or two would do a huge amount of work” if the SMD arranged for it to be utilised at the grounds. The Fianna Fáil councillor highlighted the voluntary ethos of the GAA and encouraged efforts be made to assist the club.
