LIMERICK FC SECURE 6 ACRE SITE FOR NEW TRAINING CENTRE AT KNOCKALISHEEN

 LONG TERM LEASE AGREED WITH DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE FOR USE OF LAND

Limerick FC is delighted to announce that they have reached agreement with the Department of Defence to secure a long term lease on a 6½ acre site at Knockalisheen, Co Clare. The terms of the agreement will allow Limerick FC to develop the state of the art training centre that was a major element of the long term plan put in place by new owner Jack McCarthy and Chief Executive Andrew Mawhinney when they came on board at the beginning of the season.

It is envisaged that the new centre will include 2 full size pitches, one of which will be all weather, a number of 5 a side cages and car parking for 60. The site identified also includes an existing house that will be converted into offices, dressing room facilities and lecture rooms which will be used for coaching seminars and courses that will be run by Limerick FC in coming years. The site of the new training centre will be accessible from the soon to be completed Knocklisheen Link Road and the club will officially take possession of the site at the start of next month. Following this the club will present their plans for the development for planning approval with construction commencing upon approval from the local authorities. The Football Association of Ireland welcomed the announcement and it is expected that the club will work closely with the FAI to develop the facilities.

Speaking on the importance of the new facility for Limerick FC, Andrew Mawhinney, Chief Executive, Limerick FC said, “Strategically speaking, this is a landmark moment in the development of the club, having our own purpose built training and administrative centre will allow us to provide our management and players of all our squads with their own modern training facilities that are necessary to advance themselves on the pitch as well as being able to identify and develop the abundance of soccer talent that there is in the region. As important is the fact that we will also now be in a position to further strengthen the club’s financial footing by creating revenue for the club on a year round basis through the renting of the all weather facilities to local clubs, schools and companies. This new means of revenue generation will allow us to further develop the club along the lines we have set out and for this end we must compliment Minister of Defence, Willie O’Dea TD for all his assistance in making this project a reality. From a business perspective this announcement will ensure an even greater level of confidence in the club and it is now our intention to build on this by pursuing our stated aim of securing a full time home for the club’s first team in the spiritual home of Limerick soccer, the Markets Field.”

Minister of Defence, Willie O’Dea TD, welcomed the enthusiasm within Limerick for the further developing of senior soccer saying, “I am delighted that Limerick FC were able to secure the site, when developed it will be a tremendous resource not just for the local community but for all of Limerick.”

This major boost for Limerick FC comes fresh from the announcement that Limerick FC are to host ‘An Evening with Giovanni Trapattoni’ event in the Castletroy Park Hotel on Thursday October 16th. The gala evening which will be hosted by local comedian and avid Limerick FC fan, Karl Spain will include a raffle and auction for an array of luxurious prizes including a corporate box for 12 in Croke Park at an upcoming Ireland international, a trip for two to New York, a Marriott Hotel Weekend Break, 4 VIP tickets to Celtic, Chelsea or Man Utd, signed boxing gloves from Limerick’s own Andy Lee, the opportunity for 6 children to be flag bearers at an Ireland home international, a fourball at Doonbeg and 4 tickets to see NFL Superbowl champion New York Giants in the Meadowlands. Tables of Ten are available for €2,000 and can be secured by contacting Andrew Mawhinney, CEO, Limerick FC on 087 9074681 or by emailing andrewm@limerick37fc.ie.