Oldcastle United Secure site for NEW PITCH !!!

Oldcastle United created history today as they finally secured land for a proposed pitch at St Brigids Terrace, Oldcastle County Meath. This is a major development for the club in their 46th year in existance. The move came about after some diligent work from local Sinn Fein councillor Johnny Guirke who first sought two sites for Oldcastle United but after looking through both sites it was suitable to go with the back of St Brigids Terrace. This proposed pitch will coincide with the Oldcastle Tidy Towns plans for a new path which will run close to our proposed pitch and after they were awarded €79,000 from the Meath County Council to develop the Primrose lane which will see a huge transformation of the area for Oldcastle. Oldcastle United AFC will be given a 30 year lease and will need the help of the community to develop the pitch, and hopefully a pitch that will provide football for all the kids of the community for the forseeable future.

This idea for land came about when our then Senior manager Justin Burke approached Councillor Guirke to dicuss plans for the future of the town and within weeks of talking they had enlisted the help of local Architect & Engineer Michael Hetherton who drew up many proposals for Meath County Council of the two sites, and than an initial meeting at the successful site with Fiona Skehan, Michael Hetherton, Councillor Johnny Guirke and Justin Burke saw that this dream could soon become a reality. Next up was a meeting at the proposed site with John Stewart (Oldcastle United Tresurer), Fergal Farrelly (Oldcastle United Chairman), Councillor Johnny Guirke, Justin Burke, and also we were joined by local resident John Brunton who was very helpful with the history of the site and was delighted to see the wasted land get some use. Michael Hetherton also met with Irish Water Official Gerry Boyle to oversee plans of the area and adjust the plans to suit the Meath County Council. 

There was also many calls, emails & texts with Fiona Skehan, Daragh McGowan & Esther Mulvihill from the Meath County Council with Justin Burke, Councillor Johnny Guirke & Architect & Engineer Michael Hetherton but we can finally announce to the community of Oldcastle and surrounding areas that we Oldcastle United finally will have a place to call home - in the heart of the community !! 

Another mention is former player Shane Mangan (Scenes from the sky) who done up a area drone footage to present to the Council, and two weeks ago it was passed by Meath County Council, and today 6th November the full Councils has officially passed it again thanks to Councillor Johnny Guirke (Sinn Fein)

With a senior team and schoolboy team this year, we have plans to create more schoolboy sides for next season and plans for this and an announcement will be made very soon. The future looks bright for our club and we will liaise with the residents of St Brigids Terrace to ensure plans go ahead without causing too much disruption to them. 

We would like to thank Gerry Boyle (Irish Water), Fiona Skehan, Daragh McGowan & Esther Mulvihill  (Meath County Council) Michael Hetherton (Architect & Engineer), Councillor Johnny Guirke (Sinn Fein) and Justin Burke for all their hard work in securing the site for Oldcastle United. 

Yours in Sport 

Oldcastle United AFC Committee