Football

Derry's long-term plan to play at Owenbeg: Gallagher

Derry players leave the pitch after beating Fermanagh last weekend. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin.
Derry players leave the pitch after beating Fermanagh last weekend. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin. Derry players leave the pitch after beating Fermanagh last weekend. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin.

DERRY’S ‘long-term vision’ is to have their home games at Owenbeg, says manager Rory Gallagher – as the county board announced its latest work to the centre of excellence.

The Oak Leafers’ sole home football league game this year was played at the ground on Saturday as they beat Fermanagh.

Owenbeg’s main pitch has undergone remedial work over the past 18 months and part of its attraction for Gallagher is the pitch dimensions compared to Celtic Park.

The pitch at Owenbeg was built to the same dimensions as Croke Park, while Celtic Park’s surface – while generally recognised as the best playing surface in Derry – is the second smallest county ground in Ulster.

That extra space appeared to be a significant factor in Derry’s ability to use width in order to prise apart a very defensively-minded Fermanagh team and scored 5-13 in a fine performance.

Asked if the size of the pitch was why they had wanted to play the game at Owenbeg, Gallagher replied: “Aye, the idea was to play here but also, a bit of learnings, this is a bit more central for the supporters.

“Unfortunately the supporters are not allowed in here at the minute but long term, that's the county board and our own vision, to have as many games here. 

“We'd love to have 10 or 12 thousand if we moved the game to Celtic Park, At the minute we are not at that. 

“Playing on a bigger field, with the quality of player and the quality of athleticism was certainly a thing.

“I know from my time in Fermanagh, Brewster Park is tight and a hard pitch to play on for opposition teams.”

Gallagher’s comments came after their win at the weekend and was followed by an announcement from Derry GAA yesterday about plans for further development over the next three months.

Two new training pitches will be developed “to expand the range of options available to its teams across all codes”, while high-speed internet will also be installed for the indoor complex.

The areas behind the main stand will also undergo “undergo resurfacing and sub structural work”, with all works expected to be completed by August.

Derry chairman Stephen Barker said that the upgrades were planned in order to benefit team preparations and ‘enhance our digital capability’.

“Following a competitive tender process our executive committee have ratified plans for these important investments in the future. Upgrading the playing surfaces will be a huge benefit to our teams’ preparations.

“We have seen during the last 12 months the growing importance of digital communications, particularly streaming of our games. 

“Whilst the legacy broadband level in the Owenbeg area remains below average, our new solution will equip Derry GAA well into the future and meet all our needs in this area. 

“We have taken this decision to invest now for the benefit of our players, the match day experience for spectators and to enhance our digital capability in the county,” said Barker.