Pollock Park & Gibson's Hill Proposal

History of Lurgan RFC and Cricket Club Lurgan RFC was formed in 1880 and is one of the oldest rugby clubs in Ireland. The Club has Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC) status. The existing grounds are known as Pollock Park, named after Mr Trevor Pollock, the Club’s first Patron who was one of those involved in the re-formation of the Club after bothWW1 andWW2. In 1922 Lurgan Cricket Club was formed by the amalgamation of Brownlow and Lurgan YMCA Cricket Clubs. The inaugural President was H C Malcolm, and Leo Donnelly was the first Captain. Until that time Brownlow had played on the ground in Lurgan Park, beside which the Jubilee Fountain now stands, and the YMCA Club had used a field behind Brownlow House. The newly formed club moved to the pitch in the centre of Lurgan Park, where they laid a square and built a wooden pavilion and continued to play (except for a short break) till they joined with Lurgan Rugby Football Club and moved to Pollock Park in 1975. Pollock Park is recognised as one of the top grounds in Armagh and Irish Cricket, with many visiting players commenting favourably on the quality of the wicket. A brief overview of the current functions of the club, including the rugby, cricket team offering, and community outreach initiatives, is set out below. Rugby • The Senior Rugby division currently has two teams in the Ulster leagues. The 1st XV play in Qualifying 2 having been promoted for the 2018 – 2019 season. The 2nd XV are sitting in the top third of their league. Due to the increase in senior player numbers Lurgan RFC are intending to reform a 3rd XV. • The club also have an U20’s team and a youth section known as Lurgan Tigers, who have also enjoyed recent success. The Club have 28 primary schools within its catchment area which equates to 6,500 potential rugby players. There are also 8 high schools and colleges within the catchment area equating to another 6,000 potential rugby players. • In 2005 a Tag-Rugby teamwas introduced, made up of males and females, who won the first division championship in Ulster which led to the team being invited to compete in the All-Ireland finals in Dublin, where they acquitted themselves with distinction. Cricket • Lurgan Ladies won the League and Cup double 2 seasons in a row. The Ladies team completed a league and cup double winning the NCUWomen’s Premier League undefeated and beating North Down in an exciting final to win the Challenge Cup. • For many years the club has had a very positive youth policy. Under an excellent Professional, and with the help of past and senior teammembers, the club has been able to produce players of quality with bat and ball, some of whom have gone to represent Ireland at International level. Cross Community • Throughout the years Lurgan has been a cross-community Club with players from all sections of the community represented in its teams. There has also been a significant Gaelic Football influence at the Club, some players having enjoyed considerable success in both codes. • For a number of years, the highlight of pre-season training was a Rugby/Gaelic match. This match was formalised with the introduction of the Silverwood Cup, played for annually between Lurgan and St. Patrick’s GFC, Magheralin. • Due to the lack of resources at Pollock Park, this fixture has fallen into abeyance in recent years. However the club hopes to revive the fixture in the near future through the development proposals. • The Club have been recipients of PEACE IV Grant money in conjunction with the local St Peters and Eire Og GAA Clubs. A Game of Two Halves (Rugby & Gaelic Football) initiative was well publicised including UTV Life appearance supported by Club Officials with St Peters GAC Officials and Ulster Rugby and Armagh GAA players. Both governing bodies are supporting the Clubs Community Outreach programme with over 400 youth players and coaches taking part in this event.