Lansdowne And Old Wesley Unveil New Clubhouse
Last weekend Lansdowne and Old Wesley rugby clubs opened their new, shared grounds at Ballycorus Road in Kilternan.
This brand new, state-of the-art complex with its lovely vistas across the Dublin Mountains will be the envy of many a senior club in the province. Click here for a photo gallery.
Over 150 invited guests, including former European Commissioner and Lansdowne FC trustee Peter Sutherland, Ballycorus neighbours and members of both clubs enjoyed a champagne reception.
Michael McLoughlin, the President of the Leinster Branch, IRFU, performed the opening ceremony and complimented both clubs on their initiative and the quality of the new facilities.
The Presidents of Lansdowne FC and Old Wesley RFC, Paddy Halpenny and Robert Deacon, welcomed the guests and thanked Frank Forrest, Tennant McConnell and John Lombard, in particular, for their work in bringing the project to fruition.
The complex, which replaces the ground the two clubs formerly shared at Kilgobbin, boasts three full-sized playing pitches – two of which are floodlit – six spacious dressing rooms, a medical room and catering accommodation as well as a fully-equipped gym.
The pitches are top class, having been professionally developed from scratch under the supervision of the IRFU’s agronomist, and have their own independent water sprinkler system should we ever enjoy a dry, hot summer!
Early visitors to the facility for matches in the Leddin Finance Senior championship were County Carlow and Blackrock College, and visitors and home players alike were deeply impressed by what they experienced.
Fittingly, the clubs marked the occasion last weekend with two J1 home victories, Lansdowne against Old Belvedere and Old Wesley against Greystones.
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