Cork soccer club fears Uisce Éireann plans to 'grab' some of its land

Ballincollig AFC has been trying for 25 years to secure a lease as, without it, it cannot apply for capital funding

Under-14 players in action during a match at the Landing Field. For more than a quarter of a century, Ballincollig AFC has been seeking to secure a lease to its lands. Picture: Dan Linehan

A Cork soccer club which has been trying to secure a lease to its lands for over 25 years has expressed concern amid claims that Uisce Éireann plans to “grab” a portion of the property that was assigned to them.

Ballincollig AFC is seeking to acquire the deeds to their sporting grounds in order to develop and enhance the organisation. They remain unable to apply for grants because the freehold of their pitches remains held by Cork City Council.

In a statement, the Ballincollig soccer club, which launched the careers of Colin Healy and the late Liam Miller, said that the club has been ‘chasing’ the local authority to complete the agreed lease to their lands at the Landing Field.

“In November 2023, we were notified that our lease was imminent,” the club stated. “In December, we were advised that our lease was delayed as an issue had arisen regarding rights of way to the water treatment plant.

Local councillor Colm Kelleher: 'This has been a very testing time for Ballincollig AFC as the lack of lease on the facility they occupy prohibits them from applying for national sports capital funding.' Picture: David Keane

“We have now received a phone communication from one of our local representatives to advise that it appeared that Irish Water would now be seeking to grab a large portion of the property that has been assigned to us.

“As far as we are concerned Irish Water has no legal right to this property.”

The club says they are ‘disgusted’ at the development.

“Once again the children of our club are being treated like second-class citizens.

“Make no mistake, the ongoing retention of our property by the local authority is illegal and in breach of the original assignment by the Department of Defence.

“We have no alternative now but to take such necessary legal steps as necessary to secure our future.”

Local Fianna Fail councillor Colm Kelleher has described the situation as “frustrating.”

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“There is finally a plan in place to deliver the lease on the Landing Field, but the initial proposal by Cork City Council that had been put to the club has hit a speed bump with Irish Water.

“There’s a wastewater treatment plant in close proximity to the Landing Field and Irish Water envisions that they will need to expand this plant in the future to accommodate the increase in population of Ballincollig. How much they may require is yet unknown. Maps will be available early next week.

“This means it will not proceed to Council for approval this month as I had hoped.”

Mr Kelleher insists that the overall club lease is not at risk.

“It just means that the position that Council and the club had hoped to place a new clubhouse going forward will now have to be revisited as Irish Water may require future access to the site.

“I am awaiting maps early next week. I am confident that the solution can be found.

“This has been a very testing time for Ballincollig AFC as the lack of lease on the facility they occupy prohibits them from applying for national sports capital funding.”

Uisce Éireann and Cork City Council have been contacted for comment in relation to the matter.

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