Regional Sports Hub in Tipperary is 'a hidden gem'

The official opening of the Clonmel Regional Sports Hub last June was performed by none other than Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.

The multipurpose sports facility, built on a 1.88-hectare site just off the town’s bypass road, was developed by TUS (Technological University of the Shannon) in partnership with Tipperary County Council and built at a cost of €5.5 million.

Despite that hefty price tag, the true value of the facility can be witnessed on evenings such as those when young athletes from Clonmel Athletic Club converge on the World Athletics-approved 400 metres athletics track, which also has a water hurdle, long jump track, shot putt, discus and javelin stations.

On such evenings the place is a hive of activity, as the young athletes are put through their paces by coaches from Clonmel Athletic Club. The local athletics club is one of the anchor tenants, along with Clonmel Cycling Club and Clonmel Triathlon Club, of a hub that each week attracts between 500 and 600 people to use its facilities. These also include a playground, skatepark, a cycle (pump) track and a walking/running trail.

“This is a fabulous facility, a hidden gem,” says Patrick Davoren, the Sports Facility Coordinator of the hub.

“It’s a community-based facility and it’s for everybody. Everyone is welcome here”.

Apart from a cost of €5 for students and €7 for adults to use the track, the rest of the hub is free to use.

“It’s a really great facility for healthy exercise and physical and mental wellbeing,” says Patrick. A former Commonwealth Games competitor and Irish steeplechase record holder, he is eminently qualified for the role, one that he enjoys so much that he compares it to “being paid for a pastime.

“You don’t need the track to exercise. The trail around the track, which can be used for running or walking, is floodlit, and is used by many people, including those who come for a walk before going to work in the morning”.

The site includes a bench dedicated to the memory of the late Andrew Kearney, who led the project’s Development Committee, selflessly providing his time and expertise. He worked passionately on the project but sadly passed away before its completion.
“What Andrew Kearney planted here is a beautiful seed that needs to be supported and nurtured with further investment and development,” says Patrick Davoren.

Apart from members of the anchor tenant clubs, the hub is also used by many other groups. These include students and staff from the nearby TUS campus; a Couch to 5k group who are there twice a week; a group of runners that is organised by international athlete Sergiu Ciobanu; Ian Purcell’s team of between 40 and 45 runners, who will be returning soon after the winter break; Tipperary Community Games athletes and members of Fethard AC and Clonmel Rowing Club, as well as GAA and other sports clubs.

High performance athletes such as Sean Tobin, William Maunsell and David Mansfield - who are preparing for the London Marathon on April 21 - as well as Courtney McGuire are regulars.

Schools are also welcome to use the hub, including children with disabilities. Last year 1,200 children competed there in the county primary schools’ cross country championships.

The Sports Facility Coordinator says that the hub would also benefit from being included on the route of the new town bus service. He says that with all the talk about sustainability in society, he would like to see people walking, running, cycling or taking the bus to reach the hub, while leaving the car at home.

The hub has a busy schedule for the coming months. Approximately 40 athletes from Carraig na bhFear Athletic Club in north Cork are staying in the Talbot Hotel for two nights early next month, when they will train in the hub and avail of a team-bonding session and training camp for the forthcoming track season.

Athletics Ireland are holding a track and field live event in Clonmel in mid to late June for children and adults. Patrick Davoren says it’s hoped to incorporate races for residents of the nearby housing estates and for members of Clonmel Rowing Club and Clonmel Boxing Club in what will be a community event.

He says that David Matthews, the Director of Athletics Ireland who organises the event, was “astonished” when he saw the facilities that the hub has to offer.

“It’s in mint condition and we want to grow it,” says Patrick, adding that while everyone is welcome they are requested to leave their pet dogs at home.

Other forthcoming events include a RaynSports cycle festival in May and Community Games track events in August.

Patrick says that more volunteers are needed to help out, and people acting in such a capacity would secure coaching qualifications from the clubs. He says these volunteers could include people originally from countries such as Poland and Slovakia, who have a great heritage in events such as hammer-throwing, the high jump and shot putt.

“Hopefully some Olympians will come out of here, why not,” says Patrick. Even though athletics is his passion, he says that these Olympians could come from skateboarding and BMX cycling.