GAA gets a chunk of the Big Apple

THE New York GAA has formally launched its project to build a state of the art stadium on 25 acres of prime Manhattan real estate.

The city of New York confirmed in October that it would hand over the land for no cost on the 480-acre Randall's Island site, close to the Tri Borough Bridge in Upper Manhattan.

That means the New York GAA has the green light for plans to build a sports complex that will be known as Randall's Island Gaelic Stadium when it opens by the end of 2005.

The project which is being spearheaded by former New York GAA president Monty Moloney and contains plans for a 10,000-capacity stadium, plentiful car-parking, training and fitness facilities got its formal launch at a party last week at the Irish Consulate. There are also plans to include a full restaurant facility.

A fundraising drive by the association will now swing into operation and Moloney has said significant financial backing has already been promised from a number of sources.

The GAA will not be alone in having its sporting home on Randall's Island. The site is already host to a plethora of sports complexes. New York's Police and Fire Departments have training grounds there while there is a tennis centre, ice rink, soccer pitches, baseball and lacrosse facilities as well as a scuba diving school.

When the GAA's facilities are completed in two years' time, it will bring a close to the association's use of its Bronx home for many decades, Gaelic Park.