Field of Dreams for Kingscourt Harps

Kingscourt Harps will join an elite band of sporting organisations in the country when they unveil their new full-size FIFA approved synthetic soccer pitch in August and thus become only the fifth soccer club in Ireland to install one. The progressive club will be the envy of many others in the region when the pitch opens in four or five weeks. Located on the Nobber Road out of the town, close to Mount St. Joseph"s, the €400,000 pitch can be used year round, though the new playing surface is not like the AstroTurf many other clubs use. The main contractor is Pride Sports and Leisure along with Prunty Pitches, who supplied, installed and will maintain the custom quality synthetic grass surface. Since 1997 Pride Sports and Leisure have been installing surfaces for a variety of other sports, including GAA football and hurling, soccer, rugby, hockey, and tennis, as well as safety grass for creches, playgrounds, and gardens. Dominic Sheenan, secretary of Kingscourt Harps, told the Anglo-Celt that they had been planning this for several years. 'Our old playing pitch was being over used and as a result many games and training sessions had to be cancelled,' he said. The Residents Association from Mount St. Joseph had also approached them to do something with the ground. The new pitch is a SIS Global MF65 carpet, which obtains a FIFA 2 Star rating, one of the highest that can be achieved. It had always been their intention to improve their facilities and when the opportunity arose they didn"t hesitate. Since the club was established in September 1998 they have been gradually improving their grounds. According to Dominic, in 1999 they installed their pitch and in 2001 they opened their club rooms, which includes two dressing rooms, showers, a referee"s room and kitchen. Three years ago they installed a perimeter fence at a cost of €65,000 and in 2007 former international goalkeeper Packie Bonnar officially switched on their floodlight system. A kilometre of drainage has been installed with the new pitch and a footpath goes around the playing area as well. The playing pitch had caused the club the most concern, said Dominic: 'We had to upgrade it and over the last two years we"ve endeavouring to resolve the problem.' The club secured a Sports Capital Grant of €100,000 but the total cost of the venture was €400,000. 'We had about 20% in hard cash so we had to take out a loan to cover the rest.' 'We can divide the pitch into six different playing areas. We can cater for three five or seven-a-side pitches, two half pitches and of course the full size pitch. Gone are the days when he had to cancel games or training sessions. This is a marvellous playing surface and one of the best in the country. We will also run underage football blitzes as well as soccer tournaments.' Anyone using the pitch has to wear special footwear - no steel studs, blades or runners - the proper footwear is moulded boots. The is also a maintenance programme is place operated on a four-week cycle. The main contactor comes in every six months to agitate the pitch and if it is properly maintained it will last for ten years. Kingscourt Harps hope to cash in on their new venture by renting the facility out. Any club, from GAA to rugby and soccer, or private individuals can hire it. The local school can avail of the new pitch free of charge. Anyone who has run a club knows the expense involved and how much it costs to run. The Harps hope the rent from their new synthetic pitch will offset any debt incurred. 'The FAI have also stated that they would be willing to use the facility,' said Dominic. In recent years the committee have been hard at work securing the loan as well as organising fun raising events. 'Local business have been supportive and we have secured 25 sponsorship signs for around the ground at €1,000 each for the next five years. We have also organised sponsored walks, novelty nights, plus the weekly lotto to generate funds. Once a year we organise a trip for two to a Premiership game and sell tickets for it. It has proved popular and has raised a lot of money for us,' said Dominic. The only other similar pitch in this region is Oriel Park in Dundalk, while in the rest of the country there are only three others; in Portlaoise, Athlone and Ringsend, Dublin. Kingscourt Harps cater for teams of all ages from six to U16. There are 185 U16 members as well as three adult teams. They compete in three different leagues, the Meath and District, the North East Schoolboys and the Cavan League. Dominic points out that pre-season training for the adults teams for the Meath and District League begins in three weeks and those interested in playing are asked to attend. Club members are from Magheracloone, Nobber, Kilmainhamwood and Meath Hill and a number of non-nationals play for them as well. So, Kingscourt Harps have built their Field Of Dreams and hope to concentrate on building a team to match their magnificent facilities and push for top honours in the coming season.