Buncrana Hearts unveil plans for major Castle Park upgrade

Buncrana Hearts have unveiled plans to install a full-size floodlit astro pitch at the club’s Castle Park home.

The reigning Inishowen League Premier Division champions have been firmly on the rise in recent years.

The club is now looking to take a bit step forward with a major new development on the lower pitch at Castle Park. The installation of the new astro, which will be fully floodlit, will be done in collaboration with the Buncrana Youth & Community Development Co.

“With participation numbers on the increase year on year and the impact this is having on our natural playing surfaces, the club decided to look at our options to ensure that we could provide safe and sustainable training and playing surfaces going forward,” Buncrana Hearts said.

“After months of negotiations and planning we have in the past fortnight submitted a joint application with BYDC to the 2023 Sports Capital Programme.”

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Two years ago, Buncrana Hearts embarked on a major fundraising drive to aid with the application for Sports Capital funding.

Last season, as well as winning the Inishowen League Premier Division, the Buncrana Hearts first team - under the guidance of Gary Duffy -  defeated Salthill Devon 2-1 to reach the FAI Junior Cup quarter-finals.

Goals by Aaron McDaid and Eoin Murphy sealed a 2-1 win, but they bowed out following a narrow 1-0 defeat by St Michael’s from Tipperary, the eventual runners-up, who were beaten by Newmarket Celtic on penalties in the final.

On the new plans, Buncrana Hearts said: “We are determined to bring this facility to fruition something that will be of huge benefit to the whole community something we think our town deserves.

“We are under no illusions that this is a huge task and we will look to the continued support of the Buncrana community, elected representatives and others with influence knowing their support is vital in bringing this facility to our town.”