Contractors have moved on-site and have begun work on the long-awaited multi-million euro sports complex in Clones Town. The complex is set to include a grass GAA pitch as well as an artificial sports pitch, a full IAAF athletics track and field facility as well as a new sports building, hall and changing areas.

Titled the 'Clones Erne East Sports Partnership Project' and fully funded under the EU Peace III programme, the €7.8 million sports development project was the only one, out of nine chosen, to be located south of the border. It's envisaged that work on the complex will be completed by mid-2014, with it officially opened to the public by the end of that year.

While a letter of offer had been penned since as far back as 2008, the project, a design and build contract, has now since been taken up with workmen, Treacy's of Enniskillen, at the Liseggerton site as of Wednesday last week.

"We're delighted to see the work begin", director of services with Monaghan County Council, Adge King told The Anglo-Celt. "Its a big project for the town, but also for the county and the whole border region."

Monaghan County Council worked on the project in partnership with Clones Erne East Sports Partnership, Clones Town Council, and Fermanagh District Council and construction had been expected to commence as far back as spring 2011 but for the delays. Mr King says that though "there were many difficulties in bringing the project to this stage, we've overcome those obstacles and it's progressing well now".