Salthill/Knocknacarra's plans to develop two new pitches outside their parish boundaries at Mincloon, Rahoon are set to be objected to by neighbouring clubs.

The €1.3 million development plan has angered St. Michael's and Barna (football) and Rahoon/Newcastle (hurling), who have written to Galway county board CEO John Hynes seeking clarification in relation to Salthill/Knocknacarra's proposed infringement on their catchment areas.

"We genuinely believe if this proposed development takes place it will have a detrimental impact on the recruitment and advancement of GAA players and members alike in relation to the club outlined and, indeed, in relation to the development of GAA in both City and County into the future," the letter stated.

Salthill/Knocknacarra's status as one of Galway's most successful clubs has inevitably led to fears in Barna that they will lose out on emerging talent.

"At the end of the day, there is nothing wrong with what Salthill are doing - there is no law against it - but what you are talking about is down the line," Barna chairman John Flaherty told the Galway City Tribune.

"Boleybeg [national] school is just up the road and it is in our parish. We use the west side of Rahoon and they go to Boleybeg school and they play for us. My view is that if this development comes along there, there are no kids going to come out all the way back to Barna if there is a pitch in Mincloon.

"No parent is going to bring their kids back to us. Let's say you live in Rahoon and your children go to Boleybeg school, where are you going to go on Saturday morning. You are not going to come back to Barna if there is a pitch right beside you."

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