Foxrock rugby club calls on Church to stop sale of local playing field to GAA

A children’s rugby club in Foxrock has called on the Catholic Church to stop the proposed sale of a five-acre playing field to the GAA.

The St Brigid’s Rugby club are calling on the church to continue operating a charitable trust that permits it to use the sports grounds for the benefit of its 160 young members aged between 5 and 13 years old.

The club have said they are seriously concerned that the GAA is attempting to impose conditions that are in breach of equality legislation and, contrary to GAA Central Council Rules, will have the effect of stymying the growth of the club and the equal access they have mutually enjoyed to date.

The community rugby club has expressed concern about the lack of openness around the proposed sale of the sports field to Geraldines Patrick Moran GAA Club and the fact that Foxrock parish precluded them from the process.

They have said that the process should have been open and transparent to both parties in the tight-knit community where many children play across both clubs.

Geraldines Patrick Moran GAA recently announced that it has reached an agreement to purchase the Foxrock Parish Sports Field, which is located next to Dunnes Stores in Cornelscourt, for an undisclosed sum.

The deal has been supported by the Dublin County Board, Leinster Council and Croke Park, who are assisting in negotiating the transaction.

Foxrock Parish has asked that St Brigid’s Rugby Club sign a letter confirming that all future use of the field is at the behest of the GAA club.

Foxrock Parish Sports Field has been managed by Foxrock Parish for a diocesan trust up until now, with this agreement affording St. Brigid’s RFC, Geraldines Patrick Moran GAA Club and local schools with equitable access for almost 50