All About Cork: Ballincollig AFC become the proud owners of Landing Field

Ballincollig AFC is celebrating a mighty win this week, and, after a hard 20-year battle, the club is finally the proud legal owners of the Landing Field complex.

The news comes following the signing and completion of a long lease with Cork City Council and marks a day some in the club feared might never come.

Chairperson Gerardene McNamara said it was important to thank all who had helped the club achieve its goal, including committee members past and present who had worked so hard to overcome the many challenges put in their way.

“We especially remember those who are unfortunately no longer with us. Their legacy will now endure,” she said.

She thanked Niall Murphy of NMS solicitors for legal help over a lengthy period, and acknowledged the “helpful and open communication” the club had with Cork City Council’s property department.

Local political representatives at City Hall had lobbied very effectively to keep the issue to the forefront, she said, thanking them for their efforts.

“Finally the club thanks the people of Ballincollig who have been steadfast in their support and their assistance through our difficult times,” Ms McNamara said.

Former lord mayor of Cork Colm Kelleher said it was a great day for Ballincollig, and it meant the club could now apply for national sports capital funding, which it could not do without the lease.

“I look forward to working closing with the club on funding, as I have done since I was elected in 2019,” he said.

Sinn Féin councillor Joe Lynch said that much praise was due to Ms McNamara, who had persevered on the issue over so many years.

“I have been very happy to work with the club over the past year in making representatives to Cork City Council and Uisce Éireann to resolve outstanding matters,” he said.

Passing out ceremony of 16 new firefighters at Ballincollig station

Mayfield art exhibition

This Saturday, in Mayfield Library, Diana Sipova will launch her first art exhibition.

The Slovakian native has worked at Ballincollig Library for the past three years, where she does storytime and runs a children’s book club.

Diana first came to Ireland in 2017 on scholarships to an Irish language course in Glencolmcille in Co Donegal, and the Willie Clancy Summer School in Co Clare.

In 2018, she studied in UCC as an Erasmus student, and moved permanently to Ireland, getting a job in Spar on Cork’s MacCurtain Street.

She is a graduate in graphic design and illustration at St John’s College, now the Cork College of FET.

My True Self, an exhibition by Diana Sipova, runs in Mayfield Library from March 1-31.

Ballincollig GAA Rebels Bounty

Ballincollig GAA Club has appealed for help from friends and supporters in the 2025 Rebels Bounty. The club is hoping to upgrade the lighting at Pitch 2, and is seeking €10 monthly for 10 months, with 100% of all funds raised going directly to the club, and great prizes to be won each month.

Club chairman Donal Hannigan said the club was asking club members to help out if they could.

“We are saying to people that we need their urgent support to help us with necessary LED upgrades which are needed for Pitch 2 lighting,” Mr Hannigan told The Echo. 

“This upgrade will cost €120,000 to change the current lighting system, which is over 20 years old, to a new LED lighting system.

“This work is planned for summer 2025, in time for the 2025 end of season activities. We’re asking friends to please support by signing up to the Rebels Bounty draw at https://tinyurl.com/3emascpy,” he said.

New firefighters graduate at Ballincollig Fire Station

Ballincollig Fire Station, on Friday, saw the passing out of 16 new full-time firefighters, who will be based across Cork city.

Ballincollig’s 10-person station closed in November 2021 and has long been a source of controversy.

In September 2023, Cork city firefighters accepted a Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) proposal to end their industrial dispute with Cork City Council.

That proposal, which was accepted by 72% of those balloted, saw the introduction of a ‘fourth pump’ crewed out of the fire brigade’s Anglesea St headquarters.

Victor Shine, second officer at Cork City Fire Brigade, explained that while the fire station remains closed, there is a full crew dedicated to Ballincollig.

“We have what we refer to as a fourth pump, which is the Ballincollig crew, but they operate from Anglesea St,” he said.

“During the day, they go in and around the Ballincollig area, but due to the accommodation requirements, they can’t man it at night, but there is a dedicated crew that is there to cover the Ballincollig area.”

Asked about the likelihood of Ballincollig Fire Station reopening, Mr Shine said a report examining the future of the fire service in Cork city was due soon from business advisory firm Crowe Ireland. 

Health and wellness workshop

Ballincollig Family Resource Centre is offering one last call for its health and wellness workshop this Thursday, with a few spaces still available with nutritional therapist and health and wellness coach Jennifer O’Callaghan.

Attendees are invited to discuss all things nutrition, which organisers say is designed to encourage a lifestyle transformation that will benefit those who take part.

Everyone is welcome, the group will be client led and discussion topics are unlimited.

The remaining workshop session is scheduled to take place this Thursday, February 27, at 10.30am in Ballincollig Family Resource Centre.

Anyone interested in taking part is asked to register by emailing info@ballincolligfrc.org or by calling 021 4876295.

Ballincollig GAA lottery

The numbers drawn in this week’s Ballincollig GAA Club lottery, which was held on Thursday, February 20, were 4, 11, 15 and 17.

While there was no winner of the €8,400 jackpot, there were three consolation prize winners, with €100 going to Aoife Lyons, €50 to David Wool and €50 to Yvonne O’Mahony.

The club is migrating its club lottery from its previous host to its club platform ClubZap.

The new system mirrors the previous one and is played with 36 numbers, and all existing players with remaining credit have been moved across with their same numbers plus their remaining credits.

For further information, see ballincolliggaa.clubzap.com.

The next draw is scheduled to place on Thursday evening, February 27, with the jackpot now standing at €8,600.

For details, see the club’s social media pages.

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e Ballincollig news to share? Contact donal.okeeffe@theecho.ie