A Dublin GAA club has applied for planning permission for a controversial development of its grounds to fund a €3m upgrade of facilities.
Templeogue Synge Street wants to develop 161 housing units on its grounds at Dolphin Park in Crumlin.
Kevins Hurling and Camogie Club from The Liberties, which also uses the ground, is objecting and claims the loss of green space will make the grounds unsuitable for juvenile teams.
But Templeogue Synge Street says the redevelopment, which will involve new floodlights and changing rooms, will allow an additional 400 hours of training a year and will not lead to any loss of playing facilities.
It says the redevelopment is to be funded by the sale of 15% of the site to provide 153 apartments, seven townhouses and one detached house.
The club was formed in 1999 by a merger of Templeogue and Synge Street when it had just two teams - it now has 46 teams.
But the dressing room facilities have not been upgraded since the 1970s, while the generator for the training lights regularly breaks down.
Templeogue Synge Street club chairman Alan O'Brien said the intention is to create a modern GAA facility for the Dublin 6,8 and 12 areas for generations to come.
Two full adult pitches will be retained as well as cross pitches, along with six new changing rooms, a gym and catering facilities.
"Our plans allow for the continued use of the facilities by local schools and Kevins hurling club. We have factored their usage of the facilities into our future plans, so this will be a major community benefit and be a really excellent local amenity for all of the community he said."
But Kevins Hurling and Camogie Club claim that the loss of land available for the cross pitches will make them unsuitable for juvenile teams.
Spokesman Tommy Daly says the club will have to travel further to get pitch facilities, probably leading to loss of members.
Kevins, which was formed in 1902 and is based across the canal in The Liberties, is one of the few GAA clubs left in the inner city.
Mr Daly points out that there is already a chronic lack of green space in their area although one full size pitch is planned as part of St Teresa's Gardens in five years time.
