No play in the Park for Derry City as sights turn to Maginn

Celtic Park has officially been ruled out as a venue for Derry City to play their games in next season. For the much discussed move to become possible a motion on the issue would have to be passed at the Derry GAA Convention that will take place on December 12. All motions were officially submitted last week and there are none in relation to Derry City and the use of Celtic Park. As a result the club are on the look out for a new venue that they can use for the entirety of the 2017 season, which starts on the earlier date of February 24. Many Candy Stripes fans have expressed increasing frustration about their unwillingness to buy a season ticket without knowing how far they will have to travel to ‘home’ fixtures. Maginn Park in Buncrana now appears to be the only viable option for Derry and the club will be keen to get confirmation on the Inishowen ground. While the junior football venue is in excellent condition there will need to be some extra work carried out including the additions of extra seats and toilet facilities. If City do come to an agreement regarding Maginn it has also been confirmed that bigger games against Dundalk, Cork, Finn Harps and Sligo will most likely be all-ticket only. A spokesperson for the Inishowen Junior Football League, which owns Maginn Park, confirmed that talks were ongoing with Derry. “We’re in discussion and we are happy to accommodate Derry if needs be. The pitch is very much playable and the ground is a credit to the Junior League and something we’re very proud of,” he said. “Derry are our neighbours and a lot of our youngsters from the Inishowen academy were given a chance by the club so we have a good relationship with them. “Obviously, they need a ground for a full season and we have fixtures of our own that will be taking place but Derry have already said they’re willing to work with us. “It’s important for us that our own clubs won’t be put out in any way and there’s a good mutual understanding about that.”