Vandals strike at Caoimhin Kelleher's former club in Cork City

It’s not the first time Ringmahon Rangers — the club that gave Liverpool and Ireland goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher his start — has been targeted by vandals

Some of the surrounding fences were knocked down. Picture: Ringmahon Rangers

The Cork city football club where Caoimhin Kelleher had his start has been hit by vandalism yet again.

Gardaí have reviewed CCTV footage provided by Ringmahon Rangers, which expressed deep upset about the incident which saw machinery stolen and damaged, and the club's grounds damaged after a roller was driven through its pitches.

Surrounding fences were knocked down too.

It’s not the first time the club — which gave Liverpool and Ireland goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher his start — has been targeted by vandals, with previous attacks on the club leaving their glass dugouts shattered and holes cut into their fencing. Photo: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

It’s not the first time the club — which gave Liverpool and Ireland goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher his start — has been targeted by vandals, with previous attacks on the club leaving their glass dugouts shattered and holes cut into their fencing.

“We’re absolutely devastated,” club treasurer Paul Higgins told the Irish Examiner, noting that this latest blow comes as improvement works were being carried out on the grounds thanks to local fundraising efforts.

“After all the work that’s gone in to the club, trying to improve the facilities by securing grants and with all the local efforts in our fundraising, for this to happen is like a kick in the teeth. It was a terrible thing to come in and see this morning.

“This is definitely one of the worst [incidents]. We had heavy machinery here that was being used to build a new carpark adjacent to the club — they stole that machinery and drove through the pitches with it. Both of our pitches are damaged and out of use now.” 

Some of the vandalism at the grounds of Ringmahon Rangers in Cork. Picture: Ringmahon Rangers

Paul estimates that it will take up to a fortnight before the repairs can be completed and the grounds will be fully back in action, but he also hopes that a permanent solution to the ongoing vandalism can be found soon.

“There’s about three or four clubs in the area this is happening to, we’re not the only ones. It seems to be a different club every couple of weeks that’s damaged.

Machinery that was being used to build a new carpark adjacent to the club was driven through the pitches. Picture: Ringmahon Rangers

“The guards were on site this morning looking at our CCTV and going through images, so we’re letting them carry on with their investigations. 

"We just don’t want any more vandalism in the club, there’s no place for it and there are too many kids who use our facilities and rely on our club. It’s not fair on them.”

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