Following the huge success of the clubs fundraising initiatives such as the Supporters Club, The Oskars and through several kind donations, the Drom & Inch Development Committee have been able to make huge strides in 2019. On completion of the astro turf facility in The Ragg grounds, which has been very popular in the club in terms of players honing their skills from our U-6's up to senior level, attentions turned to developing our facilities in Drom.
Barry Plant Hire were appointed to clear the existing hedgerows, take down the ball stop nets and level the grounds in preparation for a new full sized GAA natural pitch. In October 2018, members of the club came together to install a gravel walking track around the perimeter of the grounds which is 800m. This walking track has been very busy and is a vital safe amenity for the people of Drom & Inch to walk or run. Our next venture with the walking track is to install solar lighting columns at various points around the track to allow people to use it as the winter months draw in. This will be carried out over the next few weeks.
During the spring and summer months, developments continued with the pitch itself, through the spraying of the grass, ploughing and rotavate the existing pitch which was carried out by the local farmers who kindly donated their time in doing so. Once again, large numbers turned out to assist in stone picking which was conducted over several evenings. It was a site to behold as members of the club including small toddlers, current players, juveniles, committee members, parents and pensioners arrived in their droves to offer their help.
Grass was sown in August this year and has started to sprout, exciting times ahead!!!
Over in The Ragg, again, tens of people turned up to offer their help in a major clean up of our main grounds. This included power washing the existing dressing rooms and spectator seating, painting the dressing rooms, cleaning the facilities in the kitchens, showers and toilets, a new concrete and gravel track from the dressing rooms to the ball wall and trimming the evergreen trees around the boundary. This revamp was on show for all to see when we had the pleasure of welcoming the Tipperary team to The Ragg grounds for the All Ireland homecoming in front of a large crowd.
As the year is coming to a close, we reflect on the year that has passed and the amount of work that has been carried out and the endless hours given by our club members. We have seen great successes on the field with our senior hurlers winning a mid championship, our minors winning the first county A title in 21 years, league titles for our seniors, intermediates and juniors, along with which are contesting the county final this weekend, and our senior camogie players winning the county final for the first time in 8 years. Indeed, 2019 has been a fantastic year for us.
However, we are still a long way off our final goal and have big plans in the pipeline for Drom and in The Ragg. We are asking people of Drom & Inch who have yet to subscribe to the Drom & Inch Supporters Club to do so. There are several methods to avail of membership and they are very flexible. These methods include;
1) a once off payment of €1,000
2) an annual subscription of €250 for four years or
3) €25 per month for 10 months over four years.
If you are interested in becoming a member or would simply like to make a once off donation, please contact Club Chairman, John Egan 087 055 6465 or any member of the club committee for a membership form. At this point, we extend our gratitude to all the club members who have been gracious enough to join to date.
