NEWS that top Northside GAA club Na Fianna will lose its pitches if the preferred route for Metro North goes ahead has been met with shock and dismay in the local community.
The high-speed rail link, now rebranded as MetroLink, will run from Swords to Sandyford and connect Dublin Airport to the city centre.
Details of an emerging preferred route were published last week by the National Transport Authority (NTA) ahead of a public consultation process on the project that begins this week in Swords and Santry.
However, just two days before publication both Na Fianna and Whitehall soccer club Home Farm were told their facilities would be seriously impacted by the route.
“Members of the Na Fianna Club Executive were advised by representatives from Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) that the construction programme would involve the requisition of the front pitch and both all-weather pitches on Mobhi Road as well as Home Farm soccer pitch,” said CLG Na Fianna Cathaoirleach, Cormac Ó Donnchú.
The pitches are to be used as a tunnel-boring depot for the entire duration of MetroLink construction, which will take at least six years.
Officials and members at Na Fianna are angry that they were only contacted by TII less than a week before publication of the preferred route.
“The first contact that the club had with TII was through a phone call received at approximately 4.30pm on Friday, March 16, on the bank holiday weekend,” said Ó Donnchú.
“This was the first time the club was alerted that the Metro project would have any implication for the club.
“TII requested the meeting where we were informed of the severe impact the proposed project would have on Na Fianna’s home.
“The Club is naturally very concerned and alarmed with this news. We are also deeply disappointed by the lack of respect afforded that a decision of this magnitude was advised to CLG Na Fianna, less than 48 hours prior to the formal Government announcement.”
Under the MetroLink proposal, Na Fianna will lose its main Mobhi road pitch for at least three years, but that could increase to six or more years
Both all-weather pitches will also be out of use for a similar period and the club expects significant revenue losses from clubhouse activities.
However, Ó Donnchú says the damage caused will run much deeper that just the loss of pitches and revenue.
“Though significant, this pales in comparison to the potential irreparable damage to a generation of young Na Fianna members through having the heart and soul of our club ripped out,” he said.
“Not to mention the inevitable fall-off in playing numbers among all age groups, through being deprived of suitable training and playing facilities.”
Na Fianna is now preparing to galvanise support to oppose the plans and is asking members to inform themselves on the plans.
Local councillor, Paul McAuliffe (FF) said he had concerns about how the Metro would affect the pitches of both local clubs.
“An infrastructure project of this scale necessitates some inconvenience but the impact of this measure on both clubs cannot be understated,” he added.
“Na Fianna and Home Farm FC have been in our community for over 60 years and every Saturday the pitches of both are filled with children of all ages.
“Alternative locations to facilitate local club activity will not be easily found.
Cllr McAuliffe said he would be meeting with the NTA and TII in a bid to examine alternative sites for use in the construction.
Dublin North West TD Noel Rock (FG) urged the MetroLink Project Director to find a solution that would not involve ripping up Na Fianna’s pitches.
“The revelation that Na Fianna would be torn up was startling, but what was even more utterly disappointing was the unacceptable treatment of Na Fianna as a stakeholder.
Public information days on MetroLink will be held at Fingal County Council Offices, Swords, on Tuesday (March 27) from 2-8pm and at the same time on Thursday (March 29) at Crowne Plaza Hotel, Northwood, Santry.
Details on more information days can be found at www.metrolink.ie.
