Just when it appeared that the scourge of GAA Grounds the length and breadth of the country had been eradicated…news has broken today that Clare GAA will not be able to proceed with the development of a 200-space car park beside Cusack Park until a Japanese Knotweed problem is dealt with.

Most people connected with Davitts GAA Club will recall the titanic battle that ensued between the dreaded botanical pest and Davitts Head Groundsman (and toxic chemical specialist) John A. Noone in September 2011. The outbreak of the Japanese Knotweed at Davitt Park at that time put the new Clubhouse development under serious risk. For those who need to refresh their memories of the 2011 incident, click here.

While our friends in Clare employed a Northern Irish Company last year to try and eradicate the invaders, they have yet to come to grips with the problem. This is in stark contrast to the fortunes of Davitts, who are fortunate to have a Head Groundsman who is well versed in the principles of toxicology and has an arsenal of highly noxious chemical agents at his disposal. It took Noone just three weeks to obliterate his oriental nemesis.

Clare County Board Chairman Michael McDonagh said “We have to take the proper time to do it. The advice we’ve got is that if you just dig it up or ignore it or build over it, it’s basically infectious and will spread. People mightn’t have heard of it, but it’s quite a big problem and I believe it’s fairly serious in the UK [and in a part of South Mayo?]. The bottom line for us is that we’re not going to put in any car park until we have it cleared in full.”

While the Banner County’s building plans have had to be potentially postponed until 2020, the Davitts GAA development is currently in full swing. The differing fortunes between both parties has prompted preliminary negations between legal teams representing Davitts GAA Club and Clare Co. Board to discuss the possible secondment of Noone down to Ennis on a temporary basis. Initial reports from the negotiations indicate that Clare Co. Board are willing to provide Noone with the incentive of a high powered vehicle to expedite his journeys between Ballindine and Ennis.

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Spaces running out fast (pun intended). So get your entries in ASAP.

Download, print and complete the entry form, or register online at:

Davitts 5K Winter Series Online Registration

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In the run up to Christmas, representatives from Davitts GAA Club will be contacting all parish households, current Club members, current and former Club players and managers, and anyone with a Davitts connection who is now living in other counties or countries.

The Club are hoping to secure your support for a huge fundraising initiative that is currently underway. GAA Headquarters has sponsored 15 top-quality prizes for a monster raffle competition, the winners of which will be announced in the New Year.

Tickets are priced at only €10 each.

As 100% of the proceeds will go towards funding Davitts GAA new Clubhouse & Running/Walking Track, the Club would deeply appreciate your support in purchasing (and also volunteering to sell) as many tickets as possible when our representatives contact you.

Our target is to sell 2,000 tickets, which would generate €20,000 in much needed funds to help complete our new facility that will serve the entire community for decades to come.

See below for the list of prizes up for grabs! Your generosity in supporting this critical fundraising initiative for the Club will be greatly appreciated. Best of luck in the draw!

List of Prizes:

1. Trip with the 2015 All-Stars.

The complete package for two includes All-Ireland Football Final tickets, All-Stars banquet tickets, and airline tickets for the 2015 All-Stars tour complete with hotel accommodation and match tickets.

2. Trip with the 2015 All-Stars.

The complete package for two includes All-Ireland Football Final tickets, All-Stars banquet tickets, and airline tickets for the 2015 All-Stars tour complete with hotel accommodation and match tickets.

3. Trip to New York.

A trip for two to New York which includes airline tickets and three nights hotel accommodation.

4. Travel voucher to the value of €1,500.

5. All-Ireland Hurling & Football Final Corporate Package 2015.

The complete package for two includes Corporate Box tickets for the All-Ireland Hurling and Football Final, respectively, with pre-match lunch and corporate hospitality and overnight accommodation for two nights (Saturday & Sunday x one room) in a Dublin hotel on both weekends. Dinner for two in a top Dublin Restaurant on the Saturday evening on both weekends is also included in this package.

6. All-Ireland Hurling Final Corporate Package 2015.

The complete package for two includes Corporate Box tickets for the All-Ireland Hurling Final, with pre-match lunch and corporate hospitality and overnight accommodation for two nights (Saturday & Sunday one room) in a Dublin hotel. Dinner for two in a top Dublin Restaurant on the Saturday evening is also included in this package.

7. All-Ireland Football Final Corporate Package 2015.

The complete package for two includes Corporate Box tickets for the All-Ireland Football Final, with pre-match lunch and corporate hospitality and overnight accommodation for two nights (Saturday & Sunday x one room) in a Dublin hotel. Dinner for two in a top Dublin Restaurant on the Saturday evening is also included in this package.

8. Shopping voucher to the value of €1000 at a retailer of your choice.

9. Shopping voucher to the value of €1000 at a retailer of your choice.

10. All-Ireland Hurling & Football Final Package 2015.

The complete package for two includes Premium tickets for the All-Ireland Hurling and Football Finals, respectively, with overnight accommodation (one room) for one night for both weekends in a Dublin hotel.

11. All-Ireland Hurling & Football Final Package 2015.

The complete package for two includes Premium tickets for the All-Ireland Hurling and Football Finals, respectively, with overnight accommodation (one room) for one night for both weekends in a Dublin hotel.

12. All-Ireland Hurling & Football Final Package 2015.

The complete package for two includes Premium tickets for the All-Ireland Hurling and Football Finals, respectively, with overnight accommodation (one room) for one night for both weekends in a Dublin hotel.

13. All-Ireland Hurling & Football Final Package 2015.

The complete package for two includes Premium tickets for the All-Ireland Hurling and Football Finals, respectively, with overnight accommodation (one room) for one night for both weekends in a Dublin hotel.

14. All-Ireland Hurling Final Package 2015.

The complete package for two includes Premium tickets for the All-Ireland Hurling Final, with overnight accommodation (one room) for one night in a Dublin hotel. Dinner for two in a top Dublin Restaurant on the Saturday evening is also included in this package.

15. All-Ireland Football Final Package 2015.

The complete package for two includes Premium tickets for the All-Ireland Football Final, with overnight accommodation (one room) for one night in a Dublin hotel. Dinner for two in a top Dublin Restaurant on the Saturday evening is also included in this package.

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Click on image for larger version…

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Next Saturday (15th November) sees Davitts launch their Club Strategic Plan and €10 Croke Park ticket scheme.

The Club Strategic Plan (CSP) is a plan outlining our club’s plans off the field for the next five years. The CSP was facilitated by Frank Cloherty from the County Board and Chaired by County Board Delegate Sean Higgins.

The process involved members of the Club Committee, Senior team players, underage managers, the two National Schools & Davitts Ladies. The CSP is an important document outlining areas for consideration over the set time frame.

The €10 Croke Park ticket scheme is an initiative by GAA Headquarters to help clubs raise funds. This year clubs can sell up to 2,000 tickets. Our club plans on making a concerted effort to sell as many of these tickets as possible. Every euro from these ticket sales will go directly into the club building fund as the club are currently well underway to building a new facility at Davitt Park.

This state of the art facility is not just for the club but for the parish and we aim to foster relationships with all groups/committees in the locality. The club also plans to develop a running/walking track around the perimeter of the pitch providing a safe and secure outlet for people to exercise in the parish.

Davitts would like to welcome everyone to Jackie’s Bar next Saturday November 15th to join the club in moving forward in a positive and welcoming manner.

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Davitts GAA are planning a 5k winter series run in Irishtown on three Sunday’s (November 30th, December 7th & 14th).
The event will have limited places so booking is highly advised. Children should be accompanied or supervised by an adult. Entry €15 for three races or €8 per race. Lots of fun and treats planned through the events. Use the link below to register!

Davitts 5K Winter Series Online Registration

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