Fitzgerald Stadium development

MOVES are underway to increase the capacity of Killarney’s Fitzgerald Stadium from 41,000 to 55,000.

Sports Minister John O’Donoghue, GAA president Sean Kelly and Kerry County Board chairman Sean Walsh will unveil details on Thursday of a €3m initiative to fund the development.

Over the past five years, a special finance and management committee has chipped away at a €1m debt with fundraising and a €400,000 Government grant in 2004.

Mr O’Donoghue said: “The planned development at Fitzgerald Stadium should be seen in the context of the dramatic increase in Government funding for sport over the last ten years and in 2006 we are planning to make a total investment of over €243 million, compared to €17 million in 1997.”

Finance committee chairman Joe Shannon said: “Fitzgerald Stadium is a ground of strategic importance not only to the Kerry County Board and the GAA nationally, but is also vital to the town of Killarney and surrounding towns. Munster final weekends alone currently generate €20m spend and the increased capacity will attract higher profile games and concerts.”