Finn Harps have made tentative approaches to other sporting codes, including Donegal GAA, about the possibility of securing training facilities.
While the talks are in the very embryonic phase, Harps are keen to secure a regular base for training.
Premier Division title challengers Derry City were recently granted permission to use the Derry GAA Centre at Owenbeg for training.
Harps are willing to alter their training schedule in order to procure a location. The likes of Finn Valley Athletic Club – where Harps have used before – as well as other local clubs from other codes have been sounded out by Harps.
“We have actively reached out to different codes to see how we can partner on different initiatives,” Finn Harps Chairman Ian Harkin said while stressing that “they are very, very early stages of talks.”
He said: “All we can do is ask and see what the response is. That could well be a revenue stream for them.
“All of the funding now that is coming from government has to be cross-code. You have to open the doors to multiple different sports. Even in our recent LSSIF, the latest part of that is heavily focussed towards that. Sligo Rovers have done a partnership with the rugby club, for example.
“We are looking at maybe moving to morning sessions. A lot of junior clubs and recreational facilities have slots taken during the evening times.
“If we were to move to a morning session then that may suit some of the other codes. There is significant infrastructure in this county already and it makes sense that they could be opened up and made available.”
Harps utilise Letterkenny Community Centre for a lot of training but, this week for example, the arrangement can run into impracticalities. A regular Thursday night session sees Harps train from 9pm-10.15pm but, with a trip to Kerry FC for the First Division opener the following morning, the schedule has to tweak.
“We have to think outside the box and just look at different options,” manager Darren Murphy said. “Worst case scenario, we go to Finn Park.”
Harps are spending significant sums of money on training facilities for the club’s 11 teams.
The possibility of further developing Riverview, a pitch close to Finn Park just across the Finn which Harps have used in the recent past, could be an option.
“If anyone can lend us mobile floodlights for three or four months…” Murphy ventured. “These are the things that we are having to deal with.”
Last month, the GAA gave the go-ahead to Derry City using Owenbeg with the Central Council passing a vote after the Derry County Board was contacted by the football club.
There have also been several instances of GAA pitches, including Croke Park, MacHale Park, Páirc Uí Chaoimh and Kingspan Breffni Park being used for top level rugby matches.
