Big fundraiser launched for Daingean club's new €1m facility

Daingean's Naomh Mhuire Athletics Club is completing the first lap of a journey towards a lasting sporting legacy with the launch of a major fundraising initiative for the club's new €1m facility.

The project aims to transform athletics and community sport in the area through the development of a state-of-the-art athletics facility which, when completed, club chairman, Brendan Donagher said, will be "an accessible and inclusive environment where people of all ages and abilities can participate in sport, improve their health and wellbeing, and come together as a community."

Founded in 2012, through a local 'Couch to 5km' initiative, Naomh Mhuire AC has grown into a vibrant and inclusive athletics community serving Daingean and the wider surrounding areas including Geashill, Rhode, Killeigh, Cloneygowan, Ballinagar and Croghan.

Daingean Naomh Mhuire AC received planning permission for a new 400 metre tartan athletics track on a nine acre site at Gorteenkeel, Geashill, last August.

The project, due to be delivered over a two-stage process, also includes the installation of floodlighting and security fencing, with the construction of a dedicated clubhouse, changing rooms, toilets, showers, meeting space and community amenities all part of the club's future development plans.

Project treasurer, Gerard Cleary, said €200,000 had been secured in capital funding for the development, but due to the project's overall cost, the club has launched its '26 Marathons in 26 Counties' fundraising initiative, for which an initial target of €150,000 has been set.

The fundraising challenge will see club members participate in teams to complete a 26.2 mile distance in each one of the 26 counties on September 26 with the aim of "bridging the gap" to enable the development come to fruition.

"Over the next five years, we plan to invest approximately €500,000 into this community facility. Significant progress has been made, with grant funding approved through the Sport Capital Programme and LEADER, alongside substantial contributions from our own club funds.

"Community fundraising will now play a vital role in helping us bring this vision to reality," the project treasurer said.

Daingean Naomh Mhuire AC, which boasts 130 members, trains twice weekly on the walking track surrounding Daingean GAA. Gerard Cleary, while grateful for the use of the GAA club's facility, now believes it is time that the club develops its own sporting space.

Works have started on the nine acre site in Geashill. Gerard said that, when the state-of-the-art facility is complete, it will provide the capacity for an increase in the club's membership numbers.

The project treasurer said the ultimate aim of the development is to "create a lasting community facility that will benefit people of all ages and abilities" for generations to come.

"The development will provide a dedicated space for recreational runners, walkers, schools, community games and local families to stay active all year round," he said.

Naomh Molaoise LGFA will also have access to the running track's internal green space to use as a training facility when the development is complete.

Gerard said the support received from the public to date has been "tremendous", but he added that community fundraising will be "critical" to making this vision a reality.

"Every donation, no matter how small, will directly support the development of this important community facility.

"Together, we can create a safe, inclusive and sustainable space that will strengthen our community for decades to come," he concluded.