The initial development of our facilities commenced in 2000 for a 6 year period. They were completed in 2006 with assistance from Fás and part funding was provided by The National Lottery.
These facilities included a fully drained playing pitch, adjacent floodlit sand surface training ground, shower rooms, large multi-purpose room, fully equipped kitchen facility and 200 seater stadium. The stand, dressing rooms and associated facilities were officially opened by Pakie Bonnar, Irish International Keeper and blessed by Fr. Gerry Sweeney, SMA in 2007. Our generous sized multi-purpose room is utilised for various activities and doubles up as a meeting room.
We provided a 2nd playing pitch which was officially opened in Sept 2019 by Noel Mooney, FAI General Manager and we are proud to say this was funded solely from various fundraising initiatives. We also have in place a lighted tarmac surface perimeter walkway incorporating gym equipment thanks in the main to LEADER grant funding. Thanks to Frank Keane for all his help with the LEADER application, Orla McCaffrey who looked after the paperwork and Robbie Parker who drew up the plans. This facility was officially opened at the same time and is open to everyone, free of charge.
In 2021, we officially opened our playground located to the rear of the main playing pitch. 2021 also saw the provision of perimeter safety fencing to two sides of the main pitch. Thanks once again to LEADER for the welcome funding.
In 2023, we opened our Sensory Garden, made possible through the generous support of Ms. Anne Rabbitte of the Department of Children, Equality & Disability, with the remaining costs proudly covered through our own fundraising efforts. A special thank you to Rob Byrne for bringing the project to life.
The garden is designed as a calming, interactive space filled with colour, texture, sound and scent; wildflowers buzzing with life, a nice water fountain and plenty of features & colour to engage every sense. It has quickly become a favourite spot for quiet moments, curious minds & anyone in need of a peaceful breath of fresh air. In 2025, we added a small orchard of 5 apple trees. They’re young now, but we’re optimistic…. hopefully in a few years time we’ll be proudly harvesting both cooking and eating apples.
In 2024, we officially opened our Astro Turf pitch and perimeter fencing; an achievement made wholly possible through years of dedication from our club committee and the generosity of our fundraising supporters. With the help of the Sports Capital Grant and a substantial loan that completed the funding, we were able to make this long awaited development a reality. Built by PST, the new astro has been nothing short of a game changer. No more waterlogged pitches, last minute cancellations or Saturday morning heartbreak. A huge thank you to Robbie Parker for drawing up the plans, Pat Roberts for completing the NIS for the planning application, Orla McCaffrey for managing the grant process and to Adrian Burke for overseeing the entire development from start to finish.
2024 also welcomed the opening of our UR Coffee Shop. Coffee lovers can now enjoy a weekend pick-me-up with our barista style, single bean Carrow Coffee every Saturday and Sunday. The shop is run entirely by volunteers and we’re always delighted to welcome new faces, so if you’d like to join the UR team, please get in touch. All proceeds from UR go directly towards powering down our loan! A big thanks to the many volunteers who gave of their time freely to bring the coffee shop to life & to Mike Morrissey who was instrumental in its set up.
In 2025, we continued to improve our facilities by installing floodlights for the Astro Turf pitch. This upgrade has transformed our scheduling flexibility, allowing games and training sessions to go ahead even during the darkest winter evenings. We are deeply grateful to Niall Rohan who completed and oversaw the floodlight works and to Kenny Duane for his support in sourcing the materials. Thanks also to the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for their welcome part funding of this project.
In the winter of 2025, we have just commenced the installation of new pathways & safety fencing to create a safer, more accessible space for children and families across our grounds. Our thanks to Thomas Loftus of Pat Loftus Construction, Garbally, who has recently commenced this body of work.
As you can see, we’ve come a long way since our foundation in 1982. Today we’re far more than a soccer club. We’re a vibrant community hub with facilities that continue to evolve. There may not be much left on our to-do list, but we’ll always find new ways to support and strengthen our greater community area which we’re proud to serve!
We will be forever grateful to Frank and Bernie Burke and Family c/o Burkes Bar who kindly donated the use of the grounds on which our facilities are built. We are also indebted to our numerous sponsors and supporters who put their hand in their pocket time and time again. Without their generosity, there is no doubt but we would not be in the position we find ourselves in today.
We are also grateful to our hardworking Committee who take on every task with enthusiasm & dedication. Thanks too to Pakie Hynes & Rian Keenan for the on-going maintenance of our grounds and facilities and to supervisors Ita Kenny and Kathleen Cannon, GRD and their team of men who undertake large bodies of work as per our work plan and when the need arises. These lads are always willing to undertake any task no matter the size. There’s no doubt our facilities would not be as pristine today without their superb assistance.