Sport

GAA to develop high performance facilities

The sport’s governing body to invest €9 million in national centre at Blanchardstown

Seán Benton, left, Chairman, National Sports Campus Development Authority, director general Páraic Duffy and Barry O’Brien, right, chief executive, National Sports Campus Development Authority.
Sat Jun 08 2013 - 01:00

The GAA today confirmed plans to develop high performance purpose-built facilities at the National Sports Campus in Blanchardstown.

The new facility will include four full size pitches including one to the scale of Croke Park; a full size 3G training facility; a hurling wall; a state-of-the-art pavilion to include 10 changing rooms, a viewing gallery for 350 people and ancillary space to cater for offices, meeting rooms, physiotherapy, a gym and canteen. Parking spaces for 256 cars and eight coaches have also been included.

The facility will serve as a national training centre for all strands of the wider Association including Camogie and Ladies Football and will assist in catering for the needs of counties, clubs, schools and colleges in Dublin and the greater Leinster area.

In total, the GAA will invest €9 million in the facility. It is expected that development work will commence in the coming weeks and will be ready for use by September 2014. The GAA has worked in partnership with the National Sports Campus Development Authority to develop these facilities, and the GAA will be one of 20 national sporting bodies operating from the Campus.

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GAA president Liam Ó Néill said: "It is fitting that the GAA should take its place alongside the other 19 national sporting bodies who will have a presence at the impressive new Campus and I am pleased that teams from across Ireland – and indeed those visiting from overseas – will have access to these excellent facilities to further enhance their preparation for competing in our games at every level."

GAA director general Páraic Ó Dufaigh added: “This is a milestone project, not just for the GAA, but for sport in Ireland and we are delighted to be involved. The role of sport in society is difficult to overestimate and this ambitious project is an acknowledgement of the importance Irish people place on sporting activity and the pursuit of excellence.”

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar said: "I am really excited that the GAA is coming to the Campus. It is the first of the four major field sports organisations to develop training facilities on site. I want to congratulate them on their decision and to assure them of the support and assistance of the Government with their development. I can't wait to see county, club and college jerseys from across Ireland being worn with pride on Campus."