Property tycoon makes up €8m shortfall to keep GAA project on track

ONE of the biggest GAA club developments in the country — which was part-funded by a local property tycoon — is nearing completion in north Cork.

And the €16 million project on a 35-acre site at Carrigoon, Mallow, won’t have cost Mallow GAA club a cent.

After a land deal and Lotto funding, the club was still €8m short.

But John Barry, of Castlelands Construction, dipped into his own pockets to make up the difference.

The project will comprise four sand-based grass playing fields, an all-weather synthetic pitch as well as a mile-long fully lit perimeter walk.

Three of the playing fields will be floodlit, with the main pitch also having a stand with seating for 3,000 spectators and terrace accommodation for a further 5,000 people.

An indoor complex will feature a large arena with a synthetic grass surface, 10 dressing rooms, two hurling alleys, steam and gymnasium rooms.

A function room with catering and bar facilities, three meeting rooms and a medical room will be among the other state-of-the-art facilities.

Heating for the complex will be sourced underground and from solar panels and there will also a children’s play school.

Yet, there will be no capital costs for the club, which caters for 17 hurling, football and camogie teams.

Club chairman Frank Nyhan explained that the club was running out of room at its current complex at Carrhookeal.

“We were in the process of valuing our site and seeing if we could sell it when we were approached by John Barry of Castlelands Construction.

“John came with a proposal that he would take our lands and in return he would acquire a site for us on which he would build a facility to our specification.

“Our land was valued independently at €7m. The cost of the new project is €16m. We got €1m in Lotto funding.

“There was a shortfall of €8m, which John Barry has gifted to the GAA and the town,” said Mr Nyhan said.

“It also means we are debt free and we can concentrate our energies on promoting the games,” he added.

Club development committee chairman Michael O’Carroll said it is hoped the building work will be completed by February and that the complex will be opened around March.