Page 19 - 2020ClareCamogieBoardAGM

Report of Fr. McNamara Park Field Committee

Members: Mike Duggan, Jimmy Kenny, Martin Kaiser, Seamus O’Sullivan, Denise Brookes, Joe
Robbins, Joe O’Donnell
The Committee’s year kicked off with 3 meetings held between January and February to review
what was needed to improve the facilities in FMP taking account of the financial capacity of the
Board. The following were prioritized for 2020:

• Improvement of the playing surface as it had deteriorated significantly
• Installation of Scoreboard, for which a significant grant was approved by Leader
• Reclaim the “second pitch” area to bring it to standard for training/warm-ups
• Install gates/fencing to close off the gas tank and the back of the building
• Re-position the fence close to the pitch entrance to move it away from the sideline

However, the Covid-19 pandemic struck in March and put any further meetings out of the
question. But, we pushed ahead with our programme and sought quotations for the
improvement of the playing surface. Nicky Grene Sportsfields were engaged to do the job.
Despite the national lockdown that was in place the work went ahead. The pitch was scarified,
spiked, sanded, and fertilized in April. It was carefully tended to and cut by Mike and Jimmy.
When playing resumed later in summer the improvements were clearly seen by everybody and
players, referees, and visiting teams have all remarked how good the pitch is now.

The Scoreboard was installed and was working when our games resumed

The “second pitch” was cut, cleared and reseeded. This is a first step in bringing it up to an
acceptable standard. It is clear that drainage is a serious concern. Because of the nature of the
site that it is on, and the limitations that may bring, we are making all reasonable efforts to
acquire any records that may inform us of the situation. This has proved a major frustration and
has held up progress. We will work towards making progress in 2021, subject to financial
considerations.

Ennis Mens’ Shed was established in the area adjoining our dressing rooms. In conjunction with
Clare Co. Co. we have been working collaboratively with them on a number of items. They have
provided us with huge support in the work on the fences/gates and clearing trees and we
would like to record this Committee’s appreciation for that.

In a year that could have stalled a lot of projects the Committee kept pushing ahead, made
great progress and have already started developing ideas for consideration by the Executive
and the Board. The ongoing development of the full site will be a work-in-progress for some
years to come.To all who helped us during the year, especially the hardy ones who grabbed
picks and shovels we thank you very sincerely.

November 2020