Cork football club finally becomes 'proud legal owner' of playing ground after 20-year legal battle

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Club members at Ballincollig AFC have said that they're "delighted" to have finally secured their own playing ground - after a long and complicated campaign lasting over 20 years.

The club broke the happy news this morning, thanking residents in Ballincollig for their unwavering support over the years. The lack of deeds to their playing ground meant that the club was unable to apply for major sports funding over the past two decades.

In a statement on social media chairperson Gerardene McNamara said today: "Ballincollig AFC are delighted to finally announce after a long and difficult campaign over the last 20 years that they are now the proud legal owners of the Landing Field complex following the signing and completion of a long lease with Cork City Council.

"This is a momentous day in the history of our club which we have been waiting for all these years and one which at times we thought would never be realised. It is important at this time that we thank all those that have worked and helped us achieve this goal.

"We would like to thank all those committee members past and present who worked so hard to overcome the many challenges put in our way. We especially remember those who are unfortunately no longer with us. Their legacy will now endure."

Fans and friends of the club were thrilled by the news - with one saying: "Well done - your hard work finally paid off. Great for the Ballincollig community."

Ballincollig AFC was established 50 years ago and now has more than 650 members enrolled - but the club was plagued for many years by the lack of legal ownership of the playing ground.

Members have said that they were promised the deeds to the land more than two decades ago by the Department of Defence, which owned the land. Ownerships was passed over to Cork County Council with the aim of leasing the land to Ballincollig AFC - but it never happened.

In 2019 as electoral boundaries changed, the land was passed to Cork City Council.

Last year members feared that part of the land might be granted to Uisce Éireann, which indicated that it was looking to expand a wastewater treatment plant in the area.

Sinn Féin councillor for Cork City South West, Joe Lynch has also welcomed the confirmation of ownership: "I am delighted that this long-running saga is finally over, and that ownership of the Landing Field complex in Ballincollig has officially transferred from Cork City Council to Ballincollig AFC.

"Huge kudos are due, in particular, to club chairperson Gerardene McNamara who has persevered on the issue over many years, and without whom this would not have happened.

"I have been very happy to work with the club over the past year in making representatives to Cork City Council and Uisce Éireann to resolve outstanding matters. All these issues have now been resolved and the long-term lease finally signed.

"This is a great day for the club, for its members and supporters, and for the wider community in Ballincollig."

In its own statement the club also thanked NMS Solicitors for their legal assistance: "We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to Niall Murphy of NMS Solicitors for everything he has done to get this deal completed and for all his legal help over an extremely long period of time. It won't be forgotten.

"We acknowledge the helpful and open communication we have had with the Property Department of Cork City Council as we sought to overcome obstacles which they inherited from a previous authority.

"Finally the club thanks you, the people of Ballincollig who have been steadfast in their support and their assistance through our difficult times. We live in a wonderful village with a tremendous history of looking after their own . May that never change.

"This is the first day of a new future for our club and we look forward to you joining us on the journey ahead."

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