McHale Park approved for floodlit games

The Mayo County Board has been given the green light from An Bord Pleanala for floodlit games to be held at McHale Park in Castlebar.

Assuming Mayo officials can meet 16 conditions to sort out minor planning issues, the redeveloped venue will be able to host the NFL visit of All-Ireland finalists Down on Saturday, February 5 under lights.

The floodlit fixture has already been pencilled in for a 7.30pm start on the GAA's official website.

Mayo had planned to host Galway in a similar fixture last year, but those plans were dashed when McHale Road residents objected to the ground's broadcasting tower and floodlights.

"We're happy enough with the decision of An Bord Pleanala," said Mayo secretary Sean Feeney.

"We went quite a distance to accommodate the residents, but they still went ahead and appealed to An Bord Pleanala and most of what they appealed was rejected.

"The first thing we'll do is get the lights adjusted to comply with that, so that we'll be able to use the lights.

"After that, we'll proceed with the tower and make the modifications there.

"There are other modifications that we have held back on, like putting in extra turnstiles. It's not going to cause any major hassle from our point of view."