Raharney United break ground on new astroturf pitch

“We’re only a small club. Up until a few years ago, our ground was only a field. But we’ve come on so much in the last three years.”

That was the reaction of Billy Gough, the secretary of Raharney United AFC, the Higginstown, Raharney-based soccer club where this week, work begins on a state-of-the-art new astroturf pitch for its underage teams.

The work, which will take eight to ten weeks depending on weather, costs €264,000. A quantity of this has already been fronted by the club, who will also borrow €50,000 through community loan financiers Clann Credo.

The remainder of the funding will come from the LEADER programme.

Plans for the new pitch development at Raharney United's grounds in Higginstown.

The 60x40m pitch, which will cater for teams from U9 to U12 level, is being installed by Tipperary-based firm JNC Premier Pitches.

Billy thanked all in the Raharney, Rathwire and Killucan areas who have supported the club and the initiative so far.

Recently, Cllr John Shaw, leas-cathaoirleach of Westmeath County Council, turned the sod on the new development at Higginstown.