'It seems like the children have been left behind in all this' - Dundalk stars back Knocklyon United's campaign to save their pitches

“If they lose these pitches, there’s going to be no pitches in Knocklyon for over 740 kids,” says Dane Massey.

“It’s the only club in the area to have a waiting list and the council want to put houses on the only pitches available,” the four-times Premier Division winner with Dundalk tells extratime.ie.

The situation that faces Knocklyon United is of tremendous importance to football in the area, the prospect of losing a portion of their playing fields to accommodate a prospective housing scheme.

The Dundalk defender spoke about different areas nearby which would be more suitable and highlighted the existing issues in the area that would only be exacerbated by the development.

“There are already huge problems with traffic in the area and the plan is to stick more houses where there are already issues.”

Knocklyon United are not the only community group to make use of the pitches – Pearse Brothers Running Club also make use of the facilities at the greenfield site.

“Potentially there are up to 800 kids who use these facilities. At the same time as the government are introducing a sugar tax to deal with the obesity crisis they’re taking away their space to play.

“You either want children to do exercise and be healthy or you don’t. At the end of the day children are our future and we need to keep those pitches”.

The Lilywhites’ double-winning skipper Brian Gartland is, like Massey, a native of the area and grew up playing with Knocklyon United.

Gartland played alongside former Shamrock Rovers player and current UCD assistant manager Ian Ryan in his youth before both made their way in the national league.



Knocklyon have a rich tradition of producing League of Ireland players, Bray Wanderers goalkeeper Enda Minogue the most recent, but that will be jeopardised should the development go ahead.

“Knocklyon United have fundraised over the years and put their own money into a clubhouse which will have to be closed,” Gartland told extratime.ie.

“The club won’t have enough space to accommodate all the kids in the local area.

“The only other pitches either aren’t safe for kids to walk or cycle to as they’re on the edge of a busy dual carriageway or they’re too far away.”

Gartland laments the possible demise of the club if the council persist with their plans to build on the pitches.

“There’s plenty of zoned land around the area but you can’t move a football club down the road. The fact that it’s the last pitch means the club will have no option but to close.



“When I was a kid playing with the club we lost five pitches when I was there. There isn’t a playground in Knocklyon, a place with approximately 5,000 homes.

“It seems like the children have been left behind in all this.”

Those are strong words from an experienced voice among sport in the area, who respects the need for social housing in the area.

Given there are other sites are available which won’t affect the welfare of the local children, however, Gartland is hopeful that a change of mind will occur and Knocklyon Utd will continue to provide an outlet for the local community for years to come.