Dublin wouldn't be anchor tenants of new GAA development centre
Officially opened at the weekend, the likelihood is the Dublin County Board will use the facilities more than any other county as it is located in the west of the capital.
Dublin also plan to use €2m of central funding ring-fenced for them for their scrapped development of a green site in Rathcoole towards rental fees at what could become their de facto centre of excellence.
However, GAA president Aogán Ó Fearghail insisted they will not have a monopoly of the impressive complex, 96% of which has been funded by the GAA. “Just borrowing (a phrase) from the commercial world, there’s no anchor tenant on it. The anchor tenants are the 2,000 GAA clubs and the 32 counties.”
Director general Páraic Duffy confirmed Dublin’s interest in using the promised money towards using the National Sports Campus but maintained “nobody has a pre-arranged right to it”.
He commented: “There will be an arrangement with Dublin in terms of if you put it against their Rathcoole money, that will be part of the payment arrangement. The Uachtarán summed it up perfectly there – there is no anchor tenant.
“Let’s face it, we’re talking about Dublin here. Have Dublin any special, first say on it? The answer is no. Nor have they sought it to be fair to them. I’m sure they will use it. Our goal is to have teams of all shapes and sizes and so on using it. I think clubs from all over the country will be thrilled with the opportunity of coming here for a weekend and maybe using the gym for a session, playing a match here, I think it will be used by all 32 counties, 2,000 clubs. That’s what we want and I believe that will happen.”
Featuring five floodlit pitches including a 3G field, four are full-sized and one is the exact replica of Croke Park in size and contours thanks to laser analysis of the GAA HQ surface. The centre also boasts a gym, a hurling wall, 10 dressing rooms, meeting rooms, a dining area as well as a 328-seater stand.
At the moment, bookings are being taken by phone but it is hoped an online system will be established in the short term. While a cost will apply, the GAA don’t see it as an income generator and expect it will have to be subsidised.
Duffy said: “One of the issues Antrim have when they try to improve their games is the fact that they’re so far away from teams in Munster and Leinster and they find challenge matches in the south difficult to organise.
“I know a county like Antrim would see this as a perfect venue to play against top-level teams from the southern half of the country. They’re the perfect conditions. I know they played Wexford in a challenge a few weeks ago and had great difficulty in getting a pitch.
“In terms of competitive games, I’d say second and third level in particular (will find it beneficial).
“Any game with a small attendance would be a possibility.”
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
