London GAA to play 2016 league games at London Irish base

Hazelwood facility in West London will be used during development of Ruislip

London GAA will play their games at the London Irish training ground while Ruislip is being developed. Photograph: Inpho

London Senior Hurlers and Footballers will play their home Allianz League games at London Irish Rugby Club’s training facility in 2016.

The Hazelwood facility at Sunbury in West London will be used by the Exiles flagship teams, during the multi-million pound development of London GAA’s grounds at Ruislip.

“I would like to thank London Irish Rugby Club who are providing facilities,” GAA President Aogán Ó Fearghail said.

“It is important to acknowledge that there is a close bond and friendship between the London Irish Rugby Club and the GAA in London.”

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Construction of the redeveloped Emerald Grounds in Ruislip is due for completion in May 2016, in time for London Senior Footballers Connacht Championship match against Roscommon.

It’s likely that Hazelwood will also host the All-Ireland Club quarter-finals later this year, with the London Senior Football champions due to face the Munster title holders in December, while the Hurling winners will take on the Connacht winners in the Intermediate All-Ireland series in November.

London Hurlers will be paired with Antrim, Kildare, Westmeath, Carlow and Derry in Division 2A next year while the Senior Footballers will take part in Division 4 with Louth, Wexford, Antrim, Leitrim, Carlow, Waterford and Wicklow.