Emergency funding allocated to Ballincollig clubs following damage to pitches 

CORK City Council’s Sports Capital Committee has allocated emergency funding to two Ballincollig clubs following criminal damage to their pitches.

The pitches at Ballincollig AFC and Ballincollig GAA Club were damaged in what gardaí described as “an incident of criminal damage” two weeks ago, and now the council has come to the clubs’ assistance.

The clubs have estimated that it will cost some €8,000 to restore the pitches to their former condition, and the council has come to the decision to allocate €3,000 in emergency funding toward repairs.

Fianna Fáil councillor and former Lord Mayor of Cork Colm Kelleher said he had, with the help and support of his fellow councillors, secured the funding for the two clubs.

“The Sports Capital Committee oversees all things sporting in the city that Cork City Council would fund through various initiatives and sports capital grants which are allocated on an annual basis.

“At the recent meeting of the committee, I put forward the proposal for emergency funding of a contribution toward the reinstatement of the pitches, and it was supported unanimously,” Mr Kelleher said.

“I would like to thank my fellow councillors for their support, and while it’s not the full amount needed — I’m acutely aware of that — it will go towards bringing the pitches back to their former condition.” Mr Kelleher said what had happened had been “very disheartening to see”, especially so soon after Ballincollig AFC had secured “after a 25 year saga” the deeds to its grounds at the Landing Field.

“On top of that, the club only last year spent €20,000 on upgrades to the pitch. I know that they are driving ahead with repairs, so I hope this contribution helps,” Mr Kelleher said.

Gardaí are still investigating the incident. Two male youths were arrested on April 11.