Design image of new community sporting facility in Carnlough, County Antrim - Maltina Park.
St John Camogie Club in Carnlough has unveiled exciting plans for a new sports facility, set to be named Maltina Park in honour of Malachy and Christina, the parents of renowned Northern Irish football manager, Brendan Rodgers.
In a heartfelt announcement, St John’s Camogie Club described the naming as a significant milestone for the local community. "We are thrilled to officially announce the naming of our ground as Maltina Park, a heartfelt tribute to the parents of Brendan Rodgers and a name that will forever honour their legacy," stated a spokesperson for St John's.
Maltina Park is not just a name but a symbol of the values Brendan Rodgers embodies: family, dedication, and resilience. "The decision to name the ground Maltina Park reflects Brendan’s remarkable generosity, his unwavering support for our community, and his deep personal connection to the name Maltina," the spokesperson added.
The new facility aims to be more than just a sports ground; it is envisioned as a place where young athletes can dream big and strive for excellence.
"Brendan’s vision for Maltina Park is not simply about a name; it’s about creating a place that inspires young athletes, regardless of their sport, to dream big and strive for excellence," explained the club.
The project has seen collaboration from various local groups including Carnlough Swifts FC and the Stoneyhill Committee. Appreciation was extended to key contributors like Ryan Dougan from Vision Design Architecture and Enda McSorley, who have been instrumental in the design phase. "We want to also thank the incredibly talented Enda McSorley who has worked tirelessly on the drawings," noted the spokesperson.
As different phases of the redevelopment near completion, more acknowledgments are expected. "2025 is going to be an amazing year, we hope you like the drawings," the club optimistically stated, looking forward to the future of Maltina Park.
The community is invited to embrace Maltina Park as "A legacy, a landmark, and a home for all," cementing its place not just in sports but in the heart of Carnlough's community.
Statement in full
We are thrilled to officially announce the naming of our ground as Maltina Park, a heartfelt tribute to the parents of Brendan Rodgers and a name that will forever honour their legacy. This moment marks a significant milestone for our community, and we are deeply proud to share it with all of you.
The decision to name the ground Maltina Park reflects Brendan’s remarkable generosity, his unwavering support for our community, and his deep personal connection to the name Maltina. It represents the values of family, dedication, and resilience that his parents instilled in him—qualities that Brendan carries forward in his life and work.
For us, it is an immense honour to celebrate Brendan’s legacy in this way. His vision for Maltina Park is not simply about a name; it’s about creating a place that inspires young athletes, regardless of their sport, to dream big and strive for excellence. Brendan’s commitment to supporting sports stars of all disciplines serves as a powerful reminder that talent, dedication, and passion have no boundaries.
Through this incredible gesture, Brendan has given us a legacy of hope and opportunity. Maltina Park will now stand as a beacon for aspiring sports stars, a place where dreams begin, and a tribute to the enduring values of community and generosity.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Brendan Rodgers for this extraordinary gift and for his unwavering belief in the potential of our clubs and community. Together, we look forward to making Maltina Park a hub of inspiration, hard work, and celebration for generations to come.
St John’s Camogie Club and Carnlough Swifts FC would like to thank our respective Committees and also the Stoneyhill Committee for getting us to this point in the redevelopment. We want to also thank Ryan Dougan from Vision Design Architecture and the incredibly talented Enda McSorley who has worked tirelessly on the drawings.
Many more people to thank who have been involved so far but we will do that later as different phases near completion, 2025 is going to be an amazing year, we hope you like the drawings.
Welcome to Maltina Park. A legacy, a landmark, and a home for all.