Athletics clubs in Mallow and North Cork are excited this week at news that a grant of €2 million has been made to Cork Co. Council for the construction of a state-of-the-art running track in Mallow. The track will be constructed in Carhookeal and will form part of a sports complex which will become a home for many sports in the locality. It is understood that Mallow AC and North Cork AC are in joint partnership on the project.
Mallow AC has welcomed the announcement, saying, “This is a proud day for past and present members of Mallow AC. Down through the years it has always been the club’s aspiration to have track facilities in Mallow for club members and the wider community. This track will be an inclusive facility for all members of our community.
“The last two years have required numerous hours of meetings, emails and phone calls by committee members to get us to this day. In our upcoming AGM in December, we will discuss in further details the next steps with our club members.
“We want to acknowledge the lengthy and continued support of Seán Sherlock TD and the more recent assistance of Colm Burke TD during this project. Also the support and input from all local Councillors and Cork County Council for which we are grateful. A special mention also to Finbarr Jones, Council Senior Engineer, whose assistance from the start is appreciated.”
The track at Carhookeal will be up to World Athletics standard, 400 metres in distance, with 8 lanes. It will also include floodlights, and there will be a green area in the middle for future track and field sports. This week’s announcement will allow the development to move to the next stage, which is the tender process.
Seán Sherlock TD commented that great credit is due to Cork Co. Council and the two athletics clubs, and also Minister Catherine Martin who delivered the funding, “and gave me plenty of time to make the case, particularly in respect of the clear drive by the project to encourage more girls and clubs to join athletics clubs. I’m delighted that this funding was secured as one of my last acts of advocacy as a TD.”
The news was also welcomed by Cllr Gearóid Murphy and Cllr Pat Hayes, who said that the track will only be the first step in a much bigger development of a full sports facility in Carhookeal, including an indoor basketball court, soccer pitch, rugby pitch, astroturf pitches, and tennis courts.