Outdoor sports facing big challenges

The impact of the wet spell is not confined to one sport: the local soccer clubs are also facing major challenges to accommodate all games.

In one case, the Mullingar Town Soccer club had a fixture abandoned at half-time because of a heavy downpour during the first half - the first time in three decades this has happened.

Liam McGovern, chairman of Mullingar Athletic, said the prolonged wet period is putting a major strain on volunteers and but for the addition of all-weather facilities over the years, they would be facing a serious crisis.

“The games programme has been widely disrupted and it's impacting now as there are a lot of back fixtures to be played in a short space of time. A lot of people are trying to accommodate midweek fixtures and that is putting a burden on volunteers after a long season,” he remarked.

The club has invested in all-weather facilities over the years and that has been a major help to them as the challenge of dealing with the harsh weather becomes even more difficult than normal. The club has one main all-weather pitch and a smaller astro turf (FIFA seven-a-side).

However, the away fixtures have presented tougher challenges, with a lot of games being postponed.

“It must be the worst spell of weather I can recall over a duration. We have now had nine to 10 months of consistent rainfall; it has just been relentless and all sports are affected I’m sure. We are very fortunate to have all-weather facilities, We have seven to 13 games on Saturday and we have been lucky enough. We have lost one or two, but generally fine,” he said.

“It brings home the importance of investing in all-weather facilities.”

The challenge now is to get all back games played.

“A lot of midweek fixtures have been cancelled. We are in April: we have 800 games in a season, 400 of them at home. Luckily we can facilitate training because of all weather, but the away games are the challenge for us. It’s a stressful time, but I’m sure we will all get there in the end.”

Meanwhile, Mullingar Town Soccer Club have been severely impacted, with their home game on Wednesday against Willow Park the latest to fall foul of the weather. Three weeks’ ago a game was abandoned at half-time due to a heavy downpour and that was t6he first time in 30 years for this to happen.

With just the one pitch and no all-weather facilities, it’s a considerable challenge for the club to get games played.

“We are badly affected: the water table is high and it can’t take any more rain. We lost a game in midweek and were lucky to get a the game played on the previous Sunday,” said Martin Moore, club chairman

“We have school boys football to play also, so there is pressure on the facility. We are planning on getting work done to improve the surface and put in a sand base. Normally we are fine, but there has been rain every week since last July and it’s taking its toll.”

Golf club impacted

The Mullingar Golf Club is experiencing a major challenge to cope with the ongoing wet weather and a number of events have been affected in recent weeks.

"There has been record rainfall over the past number of months has seen unprecedented course closure of Mullingar Golf Course and Club. These most unusual conditions are having a significant impact both on and off the course," PRO Ruth Rooney confirmed.

Sheila Cassidy, chairperson of Mullingar Golf Club, noted that it has been a “very, very difficult” period for the club and they have experienced challenges not just with the course itself, but in keeping the shop and restaurant functioning with the number of people visiting falling. She feels clubs will need government assistance to remain viable.

Aside from the enormous impact on the course, she noted that the business end of the club, both the restaurant & Pro Shop, have suffered greatly due to course closures. This will have a significant impact on its viability and sustainability and she is very hopeful that this government will assist golf clubs when they review the supports needed for small and medium size businesses that are affected by climate problems. Indeed, she hope to discuss this matter with Mullingar’s newly appointed minister Peter Burke, in his capacity as minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment.

“It’s been very difficult really from the course management point of view, from the golf management point of view and from a golf club member’s point of view," she said.