Erin’s Own GAA club gear up for population explosion with development plans

Erin’s Own GAA Club may now be the envy of many rural and even some city clubs in Cork, thanks to the significant population growth across its catchment areas of Glounthaune, Knockraha, Little Island, and Brooklodge in recent years which is quite astonishing.

Based on the 2022 census, the population of the parish stood at 5,700 but the current estimates indicate that this has already grown to around 8,000 people, and with existing and planned residential developments they forecast the parish population will exceed 10,000 by 2030.

This sustained growth has resulted in record participation levels, with more boys and girls than ever before playing hurling, football, camogie, and ladies football and is uncharted in the relatively young history of the club.

Recently the club launched a capital development fundraiser under the guidance of Dave McNamara. The projects will include the development of a new pitch, floodlighting, community walkway with sensory garden, and a new gym.

“This growth in the Glounthaune community is clearly reflected in Erin’s Own juvenile section and across all age groups, from U5s through to minor where we average 38 players per age group,” McNamara said.

“Some groups are catering for as many as 60 young hurlers, footballers, and camogie players and participation levels continue to increase year on year and demonstrate the importance of Erin’s Own as a sporting and community hub for the parish.”

Padraig O’Sullivan, TD, Martin Bowen and Cllr Anthony Barry at the Erin’s Own development launch.

The challenges at Erin’s Own are difficult.

“Access to playing facilities and the continued development of our facilities in Caherlag have become critical strategic priorities if we are to accommodate our growing membership and continue to provide the quality environment our players deserve.

“These facilities have served us extremely well across the last 50 years but we built to cater for a radically different club and parish,” McNamara added.

Next step

The next phase of development will focus on creating a more inclusive, accessible and sustainable club:

Internal and external sensory spaces to support Erin’s Own All-Stars programme;

Upgrading of gymnasium;

Modernisation of dressing rooms and player/supporter welfare facilities;

Acquisition of additional land to develop a full-size all-weather playing pitch.

The preliminary estimates indicate that these projects will require investment of at least €2.5m, and they are actively fundraising while seeking grant assistance, corporate sponsorship, and community support to help deliver this vision.

“Sustainability is also a key element of our long-term strategy. As participants in the GAA Green Club Programme, we are currently investigating renewable energy initiatives.

“That include solar photovoltaic panels with battery storage, together with rainwater harvesting systems that will reduce operating costs, and improve the environmental sustainability of our facilities.”

Erin’s Own stalwart Martin Bowen (runaí), PJ Murphy (chairman), Paul Fenton, Bill Murray (vice-president) and Michael Mulcahy (intermediate manager).

To establish the Erin’s Own dream, they set the ball rolling a few months ago.

“Earlier this year we established Cairde Rogha Éireann to provide an opportunity for people who may not be in a position to commit to a full-time volunteer role to contribute to the club in a more flexible and targeted way.

“This initiative broadens our volunteer base, enables us to draw on valuable professional skills and experience, and strengthens our capacity to deliver our ambitious capital development plan.

“Our next priority for Cairde Rogha Éireann is to build long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships with the many businesses located throughout our parish.

We believe there is significant potential to develop innovative sponsorship relationships that provide genuine value for both the club and our business community.

“By mobilising our large and growing membership to actively support businesses that invest in Erin’s Own, we aim to create measurable commercial benefits for our partners while generating sustainable income that will help secure the club’s future for generations to come.”

Erin’s Own youngsters meeting their inter-county hero Robbie O’Flynn.

The capital development fundraiser was launched at Páirc Uí Chonaill, Caherlag, and it was a family festive occasion for all ages embracing the GAA, LGFA, and Camogie Clubs as they continue the pathway to the One Club Model.

The capital fundraiser provides an opportunity for members to support the capital projects over the next five years.

The budget for the projects is €2.5m that include the development of a new pitch, floodlighting, community walkway with sensory garden, new gym and reroofing of our Club Áras. Cáirde Rogha Éireann under the guidance of Dave McNamara developed the capital development fundraiser.

Cáirde is also continuing to work on other fundraising initiatives to support the five- year-plan.

For those interested in helping with the development Dave can be contacted on 087-7714068.