Ringmahon Rangers thrilled with the funding they received last week which will see Friday night football become a reality

Trojan work continues on and off the pitch at Ringmahon Rangers Football Club to make it one of the best club's with the best facilities in Cork football.

Their membership continues to grow massively each year and this down to the hard working volunteers at the club and none more so than the driving force of their chairman Paul Higgins.

With many ongoing plans and projects, the recent news of funding allocated to the Mahon club was hugely appreciated and here Higgins tells us of the importance of the funding to the entire community.

"The club was recently awarded €109,700 to cater for the installation of full floodlights on the senior pitch," said Higgins. 

"The dream will become a reality of Friday night football that we have waited so long for. 

"Friday night football will be a huge addition to the club and we cannot thank officials in the department for installing their trust in the football club to continue to improve the facilities.

"Tony O Donnell was the main driving force behind the funding, and he looks after all the clubs' grants applications and as many will know it's not an easy process to navigate. 

"Tony has a great relationship with An Taniste Micheal Martin's office and Mary Rose. 

"So, my role then as chairman was to supply Tony with all the documentation required. 

"Tony and Ihave a great relationship which makes things easy. We would speak regularly on grants as we are always on the lookout on how to make our club a better facility for everyone involved. 

"The time that goes into the sports capital application is huge from all involved.

"This project was in the making about five years as we always want the best facilities for the kids and adults of the football club. 

"This shows the untold hours put in by my own committee and all the volunteers who do endless work on a daily basis. 

"So, Thursday's announcement was very warmly received by players and coaches of the club.

"Having a floodlight pitch will allow teams play mid week games and evening games going forward, which enables us to facilitate the ever growing amount of team fixtures at the club.

"In recent years the club has made huge improvements with the club grounds. 

"In August 2022, we opened the 9v9 Astro Turf facility which is the most important addition the club has ever made and was criticised by some at the time, but I think most will agree this was the best decision we as a club have made. 

"An Astro turf full size at the time was being quoted at 700,000, we just simply didn't have those funds. 

"The club is going from strength to strength as a result.

"Also, this week we plan to open our newly built extension which is four new dressing rooms especially for girls onto our existing pavilion. 

"The girls section of the club is thriving with the number of teams increased from one to seven teams in 24 months. 

"The work the coaches are putting in is phenomenal and the expansion of teams is a testament to their work. Long may it continue. 

"The new part of club house will open shortly and all the girls can’t wait as its real privacy for the girls as they will have own entrance and space.

"In the summer of 2024 we built a new car park which holds up to 50 cars. 

"Cork City Council as part of Mahon cycle scheme built this which is another stunning addition to the club.

"In the future we plan to have a full-size all-weather facility and project that will entail the help of all the local area and city councillors and TDS and of course our grants manager Tony. 

"We hope to improve the club's shop and the club will look to upgrade the downstairs of the existing pavilion going forward, so we're always kept busy.

"Membership in the club at moment is well over 600 and annually is growing at about 10% per year.

"With the season well under way the club is performing well across the board, and we hope this will continue. 

"Once again, I'd like to thank all our sponsors, especially Ray and Patrica O'Mahony of the Red Cove Inn. 

"Also, John Naughton of IIS Insulation for his ongoing support to Aidan and the seniors. 

"As a football we hope to have the FAI club mark entry award this side of Christmas. 

"I set a clear plan at the AGM to achieve this and with the help from the committee we are now on brink of this award after a lot of work with Ray Claffey from the FAI. 

"Onwards and upwards for the Ringers."