Ballinhassig AFC open new AstroTurf pitch in Gortnaglough Park

By Tara Maher

Christmas has come early in Ballinhassig!

After nearly three years of planning, fundraising and building Ballinhassig AFC has officially opened their new  full-size, FIFA-standard all-weather pitch at Gortnaglough in a major development that will transform football and sport for all age groups in the area. 

The €700,000 investment includes a top-quality carpet with advanced shock absorption, new fencing, ball-stop netting, covered dugouts, an accessible walkway and one of the best LED floodlighting systems available. It will allow consistent year-round training, more matches and greater capacity for the club’s nearly 400 members, including its rapidly growing girls section. It will also support future plans for wider community use.

Instead of a formal launch, the club chose to mark the moment in the most fitting way possible. The first to step onto the new pitch were boys and girls from the club’s underage teams, whose excitement confirmed that the years of planning and fundraising had been worth it. Since then, all 24 Ballinhassig AFC teams have trained on the new surface. 

Aerial shot of the new AstroTurf pitch at Gortnalough Park

The idea of a new astroturf pitch was first mentioned in 2022, and at an EGM the following January, Club membership unanimously approved the commencement of a new development plan for Gortnalough Park. The plan was predicated by refocusing Gortnalough Park as a community resource.

To help fund the project, a number of fundraisers were organised. The club held two major fundraisers; The Squid Games and I’m A Celebrity: Get Me Out Of Here nights in Rochestown Park Hotel, and many more golf classics, Christmas draws, and school walks to get them over the line. 

In March, Taoiseach Micheal Martin officially turned the sod on Ballinhassig’s new pitch. The event was attended by neighbours and club members, both past and present, along with Seamus McGrath TD and Councillor Gillian Coughlan, who were on hand to show their support.

First phase of work began in May, and continued throughout the summer, overcoming weather challenges and a carpet quality issue that caused a brief delay. The contractors worked tirelessly to bring the project to completion in time for the new season. The pitch was officially opened in November. 

The success of the project is rooted in an enormous collective effort by volunteers, families and supporters. The whole community got behind the contestants in the fundraisers, businesses contributed prizes and sponsorship, and the events became the most successful fundraisers in the club’s history.

The club also secured vital support through the Department of Sport’s Capital Sports Grant and received cooperation from Cork County Council,the Carrigaline MD,  the FAI, the Munster Senior League and Clann Credo provided the bridging finance necessary to bring the project over the line.

Speaking to The Carrigdhoun, Ger Spillane said “ A huge number of people were involved, including our fundraising committee, development committee, coaches, parents, local businesses, community groups, friends of the club and sponsors who backed us from day one. Big thanks to everyone who contributed to fundraising events over the past three years, to those who donated or sponsored the project, a massive thank you to all the volunteers who spent countless evenings planning, meeting, costing, reviewing drawings and pushing this to the finish line. The current committee should be immensely proud of what they have achieved together as a team. It's phenomenal. A special thanks to Abbey who joined us to help run both events in the Rochestown Park.” 

Ballinhassig AFC was established in 1979, the club's beginnings trace back to local boys from Ballinhassig, Ballygarvan, and Meadstown uniting to join the new West Cork League. Since then, the club has seen significant growth.

U8 girls

Today, the club boasts approximately 400 registered players across 24 teams. This includes three U12 teams, with one competing in Division 1 of the Cork Schoolboys League.

Girls' soccer is also a rapidly expanding area within the club.

Furthermore, the senior men's team is currently at the top of Munster Senior League Division 2, making promotion a distinct possibility.

The successful completion of Ballinhassig AFC's new €700,000 all-weather pitch marks a monumental achievement rooted in three years of dedicated planning, massive community fundraising, and unwavering volunteer effort. With the new pitch now officially open, Ballinhassig AFC has secured the future of football in the area but also established a vital, modern sporting asset poised to become a key community resource.