Liberties residents and sports teams ‘crying out’ for playing pitches

Liberties residents gathered outside Dublin City Council offices last week to protest the lack of playing pitches available in their neighbourhood.

Sporting Liberties, a group of local sports clubs, organised the rally which consisted of local children, parents, and public representatives.

The group is calling for playing pitches to be included in the Marrowbone Lane development which is the site of an old Dublin City Council depot.

Local Green Party councillor Michael Pidgeon says the area is crying out for better sporting facilities.

“It was inspiring to see so many kids at the rally,” he said.

“Their demands are simple and reasonable: a place to play and a place to train.

“For me, it was a strong reminder of how passionate people are about their local clubs.

“Sports clubs build community, divert people away from problem activities.”

The Sporting Liberties group has been campaigning for playing pitches in the area for roughly a decade and says it is “not simply going away.”

Ross Grogan, 11, a hurling player with Kevin’s Hurling and Camogie Club, said he “loves playing hurling.

“I play as a midfielder every Saturday. Sometimes we can’t find a place to play and train or we have to travel really far.

“We should be able to play hurling where we live like children all across Ireland.”

Tom Magee, a member of Liberty Saints Rugby Club and Sporting Liberties, said: “There are literally thousands of kids in the Liberties who have no close access to a pitch.

“Across sports, they are forced to look for space from other clubs, or travel far just to train.

“We have the population of Drogheda here, without a single pitch.

“It’s so difficult for these kids to play: many of them simply don’t bother.

“That’s bad for them and bad for the local community.”

JJ O’Mahony, a member of Kevin’s Hurling & Camogie Club and Sporting Liberties member said the situation is “brutally unfair.

“These kids deserve a childhood full of sports and teamwork, but obstacles are being put in their way.

“Team sports can help divert kids away from unwelcome activities and provide them a good structure from early in life.

“We see every weekend how eager the kids are to play – they just need backing from their council”

Pidgeon says that there is “strong political support” for movement and is calling on the council to sit down and talk with Sporting Liberties.

“Council management really need to engage with the clubs and local councillors, and find a solution that works for everyone,” he says.

“Marrowbone Lane needs a pitch – I think we can do that alongside a good depot for city services.”