Magheracloone back on a firm footing after sinkhole drama

There isn't a GAA club in the land that hasn’t had to deal with some issues when it comes to their pitch. Flooding, grass growing too long, maybe a few flags missing along the sideline. Monaghan club Magheracloone’s problem was a unique one though – a sinkhole ripped through their pitch after part of a disused mine collapsed.

That incident in September 2018 meant that the club lost its facilities to subsidence, and for four years they were the nomads of the GAA world, begging and barrowing for pitches to train and play on as they attempted to keep the show on the road.

They will return home on Saturday night as they welcome Doohamlet for a Monaghan Intermediate Championship fixture at their new facilities.

Chairperson Francie Jones explained why it is such a big night for the Mitchell’s.

"It’s a proud night for everyone in the club," he said. "It’s four years now next month since the subsiding happened.

"It was a tough time, but what can you do? We have the members there to move the thing forward and enough young ones playing that we had to get facilities."

Those facilities, after the completion of phase one, include a new Prunty pitch, changing facilities, a shop and toilets.

It’s been a far cry from the last three seasons where games and training sessions owed much to the generosity of clubs not just in the Farney County, but in neighbouring counties too.

"Where our parish is, where we are geographically located, we’re near Cavan, Louth and Meath,"Jones continued.

"The clubs were so good to us and we really, really appreciate it.

"After two or three years it was getting tough though, they have to look after their own members too, but we’re so thankful for all their help."

And for all in Magheracloone, they’re hoping for the