Crumlin GAA has revealed that they are angered after their pitch was vandalised on Monday night.

On Monday evening, a car drove onto the pitch at Pearse Park, driving through the gates at the park, before setting the car on fire. The fire brigade came to the scene to extinguish the flames.

A black scorch mark was left behind on the pitch, and ahead of county championships, it’s unplayable for Crumlin GAA. In a statement, the club said: ‘With great sadness and anger, we have to report that our main playing pitch in Pearse Park was destroyed last night by extreme anti-social behaviour.

‘A car was rammed through the park gates and subsequently set on fire, leaving behind debris, glass and scorched earth. The pitch was only last week deemed playable again after months of no use due to pitch repairs & improvements.

‘As Championship matches are underway for our adult teams and shortly to begin for our juvenile teams, this is devastating for the club, the players and the local Crumlin community.

‘This anti-social behaviour puts unnecessary pressure on local fire services, city council park services and also massively affects our efforts to promote Gaelic Games in the community.’

It continued: ‘As Pearse Park is our sole designated playing pitch, combined with such a shortage of GAA playing pitches in Crumlin, it will be difficult for the club to manage our upcoming fixtures, but we will of course do our best for all teams.

‘We will not allow this mindless action to destroy the community spirit of Crumlin GAA. Your Club. Your Community. Your Crumlin.’

Dublin City Councillor Pat Dunne branded the act: ‘Disgraceful and mindless vandalism.

‘Crumlin GAA provides an invaluable outlet for our local youth and adult players, and to see their sole playing pitch destroyed in Pearse Park is utterly heartbreaking.

‘The people responsible have zero respect for Crumlin. I will be working closely with Dublin City Council to ensure the pitch is repaired as fast as possible and that the Gardaí hold those responsible accountable.

‘The Council also need to ensure that strong, sturdy gates are installed.’