New era begins at Parnell’s

ONE of the country’s most progressive GAA clubs has opened new state-of-the-art facilities in the heart of Coolock village.

Parnell’s GAA Club, which was formed in 1893 and has Dublin and Leinster senior football titles to its name, is now set to progress even further with facilities to match any sport in the country.

The facilities include three floodlit playing pitches made up of two all weather pitches and one full sized sand-based grass pitch; fully equipped gym with a sports therapy centre and changing rooms; a new modern clubhouse which includes a reception area, a bar/lounge, games room and large function room, as well as meeting rooms; and ample parking spaces.

Along with the facilities the club have lined up a flagship senior team with homegrown talent such as Dublin’s All-Ireland winning free-taker Stephen Cluxton.

They have been joined by a variety of inter county stars from across the country including Mayo’s Conor Mortimer, Laois duo Colm Begley and MJ Tierney and Armagh’s Johnny Murtagh.

Mortimer is manager of the new gym and Begley is working as a games promotion officer in local schools.

Mortimer admits that had he not been given the chance to come to work and play in Dublin he would likely have had to emigrate.

“It’s a different environment for me,

? he told Northside People.

“I played my first club championship game for Parnell’s recently and I found that it is a very tough physical game at club level in Dublin.

“The club as you can see is really progressive. The coaches we have in place are brought up on hurling and football.

“Moving forward I have seen a lot of facilities around the world for all sports and what we have here at Parnell’s wouldn’t be out of place at a Premiership soccer club in the UK.

?

Mortimer believes Parnell’s have invested money very wisely.

“They are staring off the right way, working from the underage teams up,

? he added.

“I was unemployed and it was likely I would have had to move away from Ireland and not play for Mayo if I hadn’t got this chance with Parnell’s.

?

Chairman of Parnell’s Frank Glesson said he is hopeful the club can become the home of all GAA fans and clubs who visit Dublin.

“We want all GAA people who come to Dublin to watch, play or socialise in the GAA to visit,

? he stated.

“We are also discussing with some county boards about having their Dublin based stars training in our facilities which as you can see are world class.

“Also, for teams coming to play in Croke Park, we have a Croke Park size pitch in St David’s and two all-weather pitches here within two miles of Croke Park, as well as facilities for catering and conditioning training in our gym.

?

Parnell’s looked at the likes of Nemo Rangers and Mallow to see their facilities, which are considered some of the best in the country.

When they sold their lands near Dublin Airport, they put a strategic plan in place.

The club has a huge catchment area for both playing and non-playing members. This is evident in the way they have worked with schools in the area. Ten primary and four secondary schools have benefited over the last three years from the club’s coaching which encourages children ideally to come to the club and become members, playing either hurling or football.

Mr Gleeson said the schools are delighted, as essentially, due to cutbacks, they need all the help they can get.

“They get consistent free coaching and we also give them use of our bus for school matches,

? he added.

“There are demands on the children and we are competing against soccer a lot but with the numbers growing at juvenile level we are fielding two teams in a lot of age bands.

?

Meanwhile, with Mayo not in action until June 24, Mortimer is concentrating on club duties for Parnell’s.

After a successful National League campaign where the Westerners made the final before losing to Cork, Mortimer is feeling fit and strong after missing action last year due to a cruciate injury.

“The knee is fine now,

? he stated.

“I was back after five months. I did a lot of work on my own and that is usually the way it is when you do injure your cruciate.

“I feel good, played the league well and I am looking forward to playing in the championship now.

?

Like Mr Glesson, Mortimer is hopeful that the club can develop the skills of the local youngsters.