Carlow’s Dr Cullen Park ‘not for sale’

CARLOW GAA chiefs have turned their back on a potential cash windfall by deciding against the sale of their county grounds, Dr Cullen Park.

A number of clubs and county boards have discussed selling their homes to property developers with a view to using the profits to relocate to state-of-the-art premises.

Portlaoise GAA club pulled off the biggest commercial coup in the GAA’s history earlier this year by selling their traditional grounds on the Stradbally Road for €19million, a deal which has allowed them to spend over half of that sum on a modern, new complex.

Carlow county board held discussions on the possible sale of Dr Cullen Park last month with claims that a 75-acre site on the Hacketstown Road area of the town had been earmarked as their new home.

However, chairman Pat Deering revealed yesterday that the county board have decided to remain at their traditional base.

Said Deering: “It is not for sale and won’t be for sale in the future. We intend to stay in Dr Cullen Park.

“We wanted to stay central to the town and there is also the history behind it.”

Carlow’s decision will have been welcomed by top GAA officials, some of whom are known to be concerned about the possible retreat of GAA clubs and county boards from their support base to more distant centres on the outskirts of towns.

“There are a lot of advantages to having Dr Cullen Park where it is,” Deering explained.

Another reason for Carlow’s decision was undoubtedly the recent improvements made to the ground.

The main Tommy Lennon stand was opened by Sean Kelly two years ago.

As well as the new stand, a gym, hurling wall and treatment room were added to the 19,000 capacity venue.

Other counties have proven far more amenable to the idea of changing address. Clare county board are still in the process of putting together a feasibility report in relation to Ennis’ Cusack Park while Westmeath’s ground of the same name is also available.

“We have always said that we were interested in talking to people who might be able to provide us with an alternative to Cusack Park,” said county secretary Paddy Collins.

“Nothing has changed on that although there hasn’t been any developments in the last while.”