Lord Mayor Eibhlin Byrne has officially opened Dublin City Council's new Digges Street football pitch in Dublin 2.

The Lord Mayor said providing leisure facilities was a key priority for the council.

"A football pitch like this offers local people, especially children and young people, the opportunity to exercise, play sport and, most importantly spend time outdoors and meet each other," she said.

"The pitch is a very important part of leisure facility provision in the South East Area and I would encourage locals to use it," added Ms Byrne.

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The new pitch is an all-weather, multi purpose, floodlit facility. It includes a spectator area and CCTV cameras to enhance security.

It joins Markievicz Leisure Centre, Gloucester Street Sport and Recreation Centre and Irishtown Stadium as part of the council’s leisure provision for the South East Area and wider community.

The pitch will be managed by a local committee in association with Dublin City Council.

Community representative Madeline Crowe said: "It’s great to see so many people using the new pitch. They are on it from the time we open until it closes in the evening."

Dublin City Council, the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism and the Football Association of Ireland funded the project.

(PR/JM)