Club & Community Development Programme
By Niamh Archibald
Tullyvallen Football Club is one of a number of local clubs currently taking part in the Club and Community Development Programme which is being run by IFA Grassroots Development Officer, Malcolm Roberts, in partnership with the Rural Community Network.
Tullyvallen FC was founded in 1985-86 season and initially joined the Lonsdale 2nd Division, now they play their football in the Mid-Ulster League having joined it in 1990.
The club has teams ranging from their Firsts who play in the Mid-Ulster League Division 2 to their under 11s who play in the Carnbane Youth League.
Tullyvallen has played in five League Cup Finals and in 1996 they won the O’Hara Cup with a score-line of 3-2. Promotion from the Mid-Ulster League Division 4 was gained in 1995 and in 2005 the club gained promotion from the Mid-Ulster League Division 3.
The club currently plays its home games at Newtownhamilton High School having moved there in 2003-04 season. Before this move they played their games at Jim Steen Park home of the recently formed second team.
The senior team trains on Wednesday nights at Newtownhamilton High School and the youth teams (eight-16 year-olds) train on Tuesday nights. Currently there are between 80-100 boys and girls attending training on a regular basis. These children come from areas such as Markethill, Keady, North Monaghan as well as the Newtownhamilton area.
The club hopes to expand their training facilities in the near future with the grounds being situated on the Newtownhamilton / Castleblaney Road in the townland of Tullyvallen. The plans include a new pitch with changing facilities and car park. A pitch site has been purchased and the club is in ongoing negotiations with the Lottery Council and others with regards to funding. A number of fundraising events are being arranged to raise further funds for the pitch development and any individuals or organisations who wish to get involved would be welcomed by the club.
The first phrase of the pitch, training facilities and car park is due to start in May with the second phrase including changing facilities starting at a later date. These facilities will not only be used by Tullyvallen Football Club, but also local schools, community groups and youth organisations.
Johnston Henry of Tullyvallen Football Club said that he hopes that the facilities will help to make the club “a focal point in the community.” The club would like to extend their thanks to Newtownhamilton High School in particular the principle Mr G Mullen for the use of their facilities, “without the school the club would struggle to survive,” Johnston said.
He added that Tullyvallen Football Club would also like to thank “Malcolm Roberts, IFA Grassroots Development Officer for the Newry and Mourne area, as well as Newry and Mourne councillors, the Rural Development Council and the local community for their continual support, without whom the club would not be what it is.”
