'It's his job': Spirit of Roy Keane invoked as councillors bemoan condition of Cork playgrounds

Soccer legend Roy Keane’s noted phraseology is being quoted as a solution to the decaying state of some playgrounds in Co Cork and the lack of others in high-population areas.

Councillors in North Cork quoted his oft-spoken words about footballers and their managers who don’t perform: “It’s his job.”

Labour councillor Ronan Sheehan said that’s exactly the terminology which should apply to councillors and their officials when it comes to delivering high-quality playground.

He made his comments after Fine Gael councillor Liam Madden said he’s concerned about less than acceptable playgrounds in the North Cork region, citing one in Ballyclough, near Mallow as an example.

However, a council official representing the Kanturk/Mallow Municipal District revealed that senior officials in County Hall are asking all eight municipal districts in the region to submit an inventory of upgrades needed for existing playgrounds and areas of increasing child population where they are needed.

“We are currently carrying out an assessment of playgrounds across the municipal district, including Ballyclough, with a view to making recommendations to elected members in relation to playground upgrade works to be funded under the Local Property Tax allocation.

“Given the works identified to date it’s likely that (improvement) works will be recommended for two playgrounds and that a recommendation will be brought forward at the next municipal district meeting,” Ms Barr added.

Aging equipment

Mr Sheehan said many playgrounds need some serious upgrades as their equipment is aging.

“Some of them are jaded looking. It’s the council’s responsibility. This is what we’re here to do. There are no playground facilities on southside of Mallow. We have to find the money from some place to do this. We need to be doing things better."

Fianna Fáil councillor Gearoid Murphy said Mr Sheehan was using the Roy Keane ethos, and the council must come up to the plate when providing core services like proper playgrounds.

Mayor of County Cork, Fianna Fáil councillor Bernard Moynihan, said it was “really good to be at a meeting where Roy Keane’s work ethos was being mentioned”.

Many other municipal district councils have also called for improved playgrounds and councillors are expected to urge for more funding to be set aside for them when they discuss their 2027 budget in November.