Club members pictured at the Southern Gaels ‘Field of Dreams’ launch night in the Sheraton Athlone Hotel last year. Back row, L-R: Eoin Crosbie, Ronan Farrell, Michael Moran, Pat O’Neill, Fergal O’Connor, Danny McMonagle, Tony O’Keeffe, William Quigley, Gearóid Ó Duibhir, Chairperson. Front, l-r, Irene O’Neill, Kevin Jordan, Frank Lee and Lisa Ann Roche.

Plans approved for Southern Gaels pitch and walking track

Ronan Fagan

Published: Fri 8 Aug 2025, 5:03 PM

Southern Gaels hurling and camogie club has been granted planning permission by Westmeath County Council for a substantial development on a greenfield site of almost 13 acres at Knockanea, Ballydonagh, Athlone.

The site, close to exits 8 and 7 of the M6 motorway, will see the development of a new playing pitch with floodlights, two goal ball stops, perimeter pitch netting, two dugouts and a groundskeeper's shed.

The project also includes a walking track with public lighting, car park facility, works to the existing site entrance, and signage.

The development of the new pitch and walking track represents the first stage in the club's 'Project SG2030’ plan, which was launched last year.

The club hopes to have the pitch and walking track in place next year, with the addition of a second pitch, club house and ball wall coming later this decade.

Planning approval for the new pitch and walking track was granted by the council on July 24, subject to 11 conditions, chief among which is a stipulation that the floodlight usage must not extend beyond 10pm, be cowled and directed away from neighbouring properties and the public road network.

Westmeath County Council has also stipulated that the developer "engage a suitably qualified archaeologist (licensed under the National Monuments Acts) to monitor all topsoil stripping and ground disturbance associated with the development".

The local authority also stated amongst the conditions that "no groundworks/construction works shall take place in the absence of an archaeologist".

During the planning process two submissions were received from nearby residents in Fardrum, both of which raised concerns about loss of privacy and the impact of the flooding in the vicinity of their homes.

Southern Gaels hurling and camogie club has an existing membership in excess of 400 players at underage and adult levels. Club chairperson, Gearóid Ó Duibhir stated that the proposed development was "ideally located in the catchment area from where the club draws a vast number of its players".

"There has been a post Covid-19 bounce in our club membership and we expect it to continue growing into the future," Gearóid added.

Southern Gaels teams currently train and play matches at Páirc Chiaráin, the home of Athlone GAA, off the Ballymahon Road.