Council rejects football club’s criticism

DUBLIN City Council has rejected claims that it has failed to support a Northside football club.

The city council came in for criticism from representatives of Marino AFC, who described how the club is in a constant battle to survive.

The club, which has 250 members, is made up of local schoolboys and schoolgirls ranging in age from seven to 18.

It faces an uphill battle each year to manage financially but, according to club chairman John Fullam, money has never been its motivation.

“We take a small membership to cover things like insurance but we’d never take it from families who can’t afford to pay it,

? Mr Fullam told Northside People.

“There’s no glory in running the club. All we want is for kids to have somewhere to go and a team to play with and we try our best to provide this but it’s getting harder and harder.

?

Mr Fullam questioned the level of support the club receives from the council.

“The council has facilities on Alfie Byrne Road which are not in use sometimes,

? he said.

“We’d give anything to be able to use them but they’re so expensive.

“We waited forever for the council to refurbish our small clubhouse which we couldn’t even let the children use the toilets in.

“In the end, parents and local businesses gave us the help and materials we needed to do it up ourselves.

“We find it difficult to get the grass cut and we’re not allowed to do it ourselves for insurance reasons so we’re often in a situation where seven-year-olds are trying to run around in grass that’s half way up their calf muscles.

?

Club secretary Joe McLoughlin pointed out that their experience with Dublin City Council has not always been negative.

“Some sections of the council we get on quite well with and from there is a good level of co-operation but in other sections the level of communication is poor,

? said Mr McLoughlin.

Ian O’Beirne, a local Fianna Fail representative, said:

“Everything the club does is dependent on fundraising and in today’s climate those funds are becoming harder and harder to find.

“Dublin City Council has an obligation to ensure clubs like this survive.

?

Jim Beggan, from Dublin City Council’s Sports and Leisure Services section, said grass cutting in parks and pitches is done on a

“standard rota

? and is weather permitting.

“All clubs are welcome to play on pitches provided by Dublin City Council but training is strictly forbidden because of what condition it can leave the pitches in,

? Mr Beggan told Northside People.

“It’s up to the various clubs to find their own training grounds.

“The facilities on Alfie Byrne Road are available to all clubs to lease or rent at a set price.

“We are not in a position to provide each club in our catchment area with facilities and we cannot give preferential rate to one club over another.

?

Mr Beggan added:

“Marino AFC’s situation is mirrored in clubs across the city.

?