St Eunan’s GAA chairman Eugene Duffy says the club is proud to be hosting a first Ulster championship game in 75 years
By Diarmaid Doherty
Just over two weeks out from Donegal’s meeting with Down in the Ulster Championship, Eugene Duffy could be forgiven for feeling the pressure.
He’s just spent part of his Bank Holiday Monday in the main stand at O’Donnell Park, helping to organise numbered stickers for every seat. That’s 2,500 in all.
On Tuesday, he took a call from Laura Woods, ticketing officer with the Ulster Council who revealed that she’d be in Letterkenny on Wednesday.
“She just wants to check that we’ve all the seats numbered,” Eugene explains.
As the new chairman at St Eunan’s GAA club, Eugene has been in almost daily contact with various officials from the Ulster Council ever since O’Donnell Park was confirmed as the venue for the April 26 clash.
It will be the first time since 1951 – a drawn game with Antrim – that the Letterkenny venue will play host to an Ulster Championship tie.
“At least we can say we’ve an unbeaten record in Ulster,” Eugene quickly points out.
“But seriously, it’s going to be a very proud day for our club and a proud day for all our members and those who have gone before us.
“You think of all the people who have been involved over the years. Just imagine how happy they’d be that this is happening.
“And it’s going to be such a big day and a big weekend for the town.
“We’re not just hosting an Ulster Championship match, but we’re bringing a buzz and excitement to Letterkenny and almost 9,000 supporters to see the game.”
Hosting a crowd of that magnitude takes plenty of organising. The Ulster Council, understandably, have various standards to meet across a range of areas like parking, stewarding, access and safety.
As Eugene explains, O’Donnell Park has been hosting county games since 2005, but facilitating a sold-out Ulster Championship match takes it to a new level.
“The Ulster Council have the say over everything,” he said.
“In a way, we’re at their mercy. Anything they look for, we have to try and facilitate.”
At present, O’Donnell Park’s capacity sits at 8,900 although for the first time, supporters will be accommodated on a newly developed small terrace behind the goals at the clubhouse end. The crush barriers for the new terrace are due at the ground this week.
That terrace is one of four sections – the main stand; the Aura Terrace (running down pitch side opposite the stand) and the Riverend Terrace.
Supporters will know what section their ticket is for and will be directed to one of the 16 turnstiles that will be operating on match day.
Season tickets holders are likely to be contacted next week after which match tickets will go on release through the clubs. And there is expected to be a big demand from supporters from both counties.
“At this stage, we’re looking forward to it,” Eugene said.
“There has been a huge amount of work put in already, but we feel we’re on schedule.
“Credit to everybody involved. It takes a massive effort.”
VOLUNTEER GROUP
Three years ago, Eugene helped form a volunteers group within the club to organise for match-days and county fixtures. Even though he’s now chairman, he remains the admin for the volunteer group.
‘I’ll just put up a poll to see who is available for a game. You can imagine on county days, there is plenty of help.
“But our volunteers are unreal. In fairness, there are members out there who could run the show even without the guidance of the Ulster Council.”
Their last big challenge was hosting the Donegal v Mayo National Football League match back in February.
There were some small issues of concern that day – including parking problems in the vicinity of O’Donnell Park. However, a visit from a delegation from the Ulster Council days later left Eugene and his fellow club members upbeat. The delegation, Eugene added, were high in their praise of the facilities, the space around the grounds, and the pitch itself.
The parking issues on the day of the Mayo game centred around cars using the nearby Ballymacool estate. Eugene and Garda Sergeant Eunan Walsh recently met with representatives of the residents’ committee and a plan is in place for April 26 when no supporters will be allowed to park in the estate.
Eugene has also been in contact with some local businesses in the town where car parking facilities might be utilised to accommodate the big crowds.
Shuttle buses will also operate to and from the ground during the hours leading up to the 3pm throw-in.
“People in the town are really good, and they have been very positive,” Eugene adds, pointing to the fact that St Eunan’s GAA club now enjoys very positive relationships with a host of local clubs and community groups in Letterkenny.
These include the nearby Aura Centre, Letterkenny Rugby Club, Letterkenny Athletic Club and even the local Tidy Towns organisation. Members of the club’s senior squad plan to carry out a litter pick around the town in the coming weeks, and a new biodiversity plan is also being organised within the grounds to allow for a pollen-rich area.
The grounds also now boast a fantastic 1.3km walkway around the training pitches which attracts runners and walkers who can exercise in a safe, open space.
And just recently, local drama groups from St Eunan’s College and Loreto Secondary School were able to use the clubhouse facilities free of charge as they practised for their school musical.
“There’s a lot of good work going on within the club, and a lot of very good people involved,” Eugene adds.
“We also appreciate the sponsorship and support we receive from local businesses. You only have to look at the advertising signs around the ground to see how much support is there.
“The club has always been proud of the part it has played in the town and our involvement in the community is something that we feel very strong about.
“So that’s why we’re so happy to be able to host a game like this. Imagine what it will mean for the town.
“And hopefully, after the Down game, there will be another home championship game to come.
“As the designated secondary ground in the county, we hope that game will be in Letterkenny as well if it turns out MacCumhaill Park is still out of action.”