Carlow eye centre of excellence boost

A PROPOSED GAA centre of excellence in Carlow could be worth €3.5m to the local economy, according to board chairman Pat Deering.

Deering believes the project at Fenagh, which is awaiting planning permission, would also create 100 jobs in the region.

The county chief hopes that the proposed development can be up and running by 2012.

Deering said: “The centre is an extremely ambitious project and by the time it is completed, hopefully in 2012, we estimate we’ll have pumped about €3.5m into the economy.

“On top of this, we believe that we will pay €500,000 in VAT to the Government so that will be of some significant benefit to them as well. This is a huge development for us.”

The plans include three floodlit pitches, four dressing rooms, a gymnasium, dining area and parking area.

Carlow has endured a number of trials and tribulations in both codes in recent seasons, but Deering is adamant such turmoil is in the past and this proposed facility would mark a massive watershed for GAA in the county.

“There is more unity and understanding in the county now than in a long while. We have about 97% of our best hurlers available to us and our most committed footballers are all present in Luke Dempsey’s squad. The Fenagh development would help secure a brighter future too.

“For a long time, we couldn’t get our best players out in hurling or football but we’ve stabilised these past few years and our hurlers are making great progress. Our footballers have only taken men who are willing to give serious commitment and we have our powerful midfielders Brendan Murphy (returned from the AFL) and Tommy Walsh (home after three years with Wicklow) back. It’s good to see a lot of negativity gone from the county.”