Plans for a new GAA club in Derry city are being opposed by another club in the city.

Discussions are currently underway about starting a new GAA club in the Culmore area of Derry.

Those involved in the plans for the new club have been gathering support through a petition in the area, and are understood to have contacted the Derry GAA County Board about their proposal.

However, the plans for the new Culmore club are being opposed by Steelstown GAA club.

Steelstown, whose facilities are in the nearby Ballyarnett area of the city, are the biggest GAA club in Derry city.

The club attracts players from a wide catchment area, including Culmore.

As a result, Steelstown believe that a new club in Culmore would have an adverse effect on its numbers.

The committee of the Steelstown club issued a statement to its members this week outlining their opposition to the Culmore plans.

“The Culmore area has been at the heart of our club since it was founded 30 years ago,” the letter stated.

“Our biggest feeder school is Hollybush Primary in the heart of Culmore.

“We believe that we adequately cater for the area, and the creation of a new club would undermine the hard work and dedication of a large number of people over a long number of years.

“We have also invested heavily both financially and with manpower in coaching within the schools in Culmore.”

The statement continued: “What is most concerning is something which has been brought to our attention in the past 24 hours.

“Some of our members are reporting that people are knocking on doors asking residents to sign a petition to support the provision of a new GAA pitch in the Culmore area.

“As most people would welcome the provision of a new pitch of any sort they would be inclined to sign the petition.

“However, the reality is what you are signing is your support for the creation of a new GAA club in Culmore.

“Whilst everybody is entitled to make their own informed decision it is very important to have accurate information to allow you to do so,” the statement added.

The Derry News yesterday contacted someone involved in the plans for the new club but he said he did not wish to comment on the matter.

A spokesperson for the Derry GAA County Board said they were not prepared to comment on correspondence between the relevant parties in relation to the situation.

It is understood that under GAA procedures any application to form a new club must first be endorsed by a county board and then the provincial council before the final decision on the application rests with the GAA head office at Croke Park.

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