Keena calls for extension of residents' agreement with AC Celtic FC

by Ronan Fagan

Cllr Frankie Keena has called on Athlone-Moate Municipal District to extend an existing license agreement to St. Patrick’s Terrace Residents Association "to facilitate a partnership arrangement with AC Celtic" which would allow the football club to apply for funding under the Community Sports Facilities Fund.

Addressing the October Municipal District meeting, Cllr Keena stated that AC Celtic had used the rear of St Patrick's Terrace to play their underage football fixtures.

"This green area has long been associated with underage football in the town and in recent times, AC Celtic has taken over use of the amenity. AC Celtic are a very proactive football club who have a weekly challenge to find appropriate facilities to play their fixtures," Cllr Keena said.

The councillor stated that the club currently uses the amenity "two to three times" per week and with a closing date of February 2027 set for applications to the Community Sports Facilities Fund, he said it was "imperative" that a "fresh licence agreement" was "now implemented" to allow the club apply for relevant funding.

"This funding will not alone benefit AC Celtic, but also the residents of St Patrick's Terrace who also use the amenity on a regular basis," Cllr Keena said.

Cllr Paul Hogan acknowledged the "urgency" of Cllr Keena's request "given the  specific timeframe for funding applications".

He expressed his concern that the Government may not provide funding support to both parties if there was "no long-term licence arrangement" in place.

"This is a longstanding arrangement going back to the time when Golden Island Shopping Centre was being built, so we should look to extend it without any delay," Cllr Hogan said.

Referencing his former involvement with the now defunct Athlone & District Schoolboys League, Cllr John Dolan stated that there was a "fair bit of work to be done" to prepare the partnership for a funding application.

As a District, we should support all sporting organisations with their ambitions and hopefully, we can come to a quick resolution here," he added.

Acknowledging that sports clubs were "all under pressure for space", District Manager informed the members that the council's property management team will meet with representatives of the St Patrick's Terrace Residents Association to discuss the proposal, including the "requirements of any funding application and the implications of extending the existing license agreement".