This article is from page 33 of the 2008-05-06 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 33 JPG
IT’S taken almost ten years to be- come a reality but the determination of a few people backed by a whole community was being celebrated in Tulla at the weekend.
The people of Tulla came out to see the official opening of their new soc- cer pitches and clubhouse, on what was once a bog field in Cragg.
The aim to get a facility, which is second to none started with Christ- mas raffles 10 years ago.
€3 a ticket didn’t seem a lot at the time, but over 10 years the raffle brought in €100,000.
Five years into the plan, the pitch committee found a piece of land to suit the purpose and their ambitions were helped along with some fund- ing from the National Lottery.
“That was great but we still had €750,000 to fundraise,’ said Tulla United’s Michael Moloney.
“But all credit to Denis Cory, Mike Hoey, Stephan Brady and the com- mittee. They were the people who worked all the way to make this a re- ality and the people of Tulla were so generous and supportive. There was unbelievable work done but it would never have happened without Denis and the committee,” said Michael.
200 people linked to the club sup- ported the development, committing €20 a month to a club draw for three and a half years.
And there were also thousandaires, coffee mornings and sponsored all- sorts to boost the fund.
The result is two of the finest sand- based pitches anywhere in the coun- try, one which is floodlit.
There is a clubhouse which will allow players to change in comfort, space for meetings to take place, gear to be stored and a proper park- ing facility.
For the 100 under age and 50 adult players, it makes all the difference.
The facilities were officially opened by John Delaney, CEO of the FAI on Saturday after a dedicated Mass and parade through the town, led by the Tulla Pipe Band.
“This is a shining example of what community spirit can do,” said Michael.
‘“We’re hoping now that these fa- cilities will act as a magnet for peo- ple who want to play the game and for people who don’t have a club and we’ll be focusing on blitzes for the seven to Il age group, getting more youngsters involved. Now we have these facilities we can do these things,” said Michael.