GAA Infastructure

Pete_Cavan

I see Galway GAA want to chunk of Galway airport site for a Centre of Excellence;

https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/arid-41323438.html

They say in their letter; "an ideal site to develop a municipal centre of excellence for each of our Galway organisational and indeed, possibly, other sports and organisations could also be looked at". They are ambitious at least but the various GAA codes aren't going to be considered multi-sport use which is expected for large grants now.

They really should be getting the FAI and IRFU onboard and pushing for the government to do something similar to the National Sports Campus. The state prepares a masterplan and builds the infrastructure and shared facilities block (changing rooms, gym, indoor hall, canteen, etc.). The associations then get a plot to develop their own pitches.

breezy1985

Limerick are also buying up a chunk of land just outside the city for a second centre of excellence.

threeball

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121774021#Comment_121774021

They should sell Pearse stadium and move the lot out there while they're at it. Sitting on the motorway, stones throw from the old N17, away from the coast and still close to the city.

boetstark

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121624422#Comment_121624422

SA Franchises were unfortunately forced to change their names post elections and fall of NP government.

It would be funny though

The Limerick Manor v The Clare Machinery.

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121774747#Comment_121774747

Won't happen with the cost of stadiums at the minute.

Stadiums where you can't walk pubs and restaurants are kinda shte anyway.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121774876#Comment_121774876

The name changes I am talking about are far later than the NP government and not forced.

Natal became the Sharks in 95 before the fall of the NP government but they changed again to Hollywoodbets Sharks. And of course you have the Vodacom Bulls and the DHL Stormers. It was the new prefix I was referring to.

callaway92

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121774326#Comment_121774326

In fairness, I wouldn't call Rathkeale a Centre of Excellence. One usable grass pitch.

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121776206#Comment_121776206

Ya more pitches are definitely needed. Limerick GAA have also taken over St. Enda's school in the city which I believe will be the base for underage teams.

CrabRevolution

Whatever PR/spin consultant thought up "Centre of Excellence" back in the day should have trademarked it and charged royalties for its use, because no other term is apparently allowed for what other sports would just call a training grounds.

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121777792#Comment_121777792

It's not a GAA thing. It's borrowed from other sports. Ya they probably are a lot more "excellent" in other sports but they definitely have them.

CrabRevolution

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121777938#Comment_121777938

It was borrowed from other sports alright, but there's something funny about applying such a grandiose term to every single GAA county training facility. No other term is even allowed.

A brief google suggests Tyrone are the only county not to refer to their training ground as a CoE, with "County Centre" preferred for Garvaghey. A lot of counties are only planning or building theirs so that might change.

Uncle Pierre

Have to say I've often thought the same myself about such widespread use of the term "Centre of Excellence".

"Centre of Mediocrity" would unfortunately be far more apt in many cases.

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121778196#Comment_121778196

Limerick don't officially call Mick Neville Park a centre of excellence although I have seen that term or "training centre" used in press releases.

roadmaster

It looks like louth are not giving up on the passport money

https://m.independent.ie/regionals/louth/sport/gaa/progress-made-over-louth-gaas-stadium-project-at-high-power-meeting/a1504096379.html

PTH2009

Should the GAA make Clonliffe Road the 'Olympic Way of Croke Park'

Wembley Stadium and Emerites Stadium have excellent walk ways to the Stadium and generates the atmosphere on match days

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121784173#Comment_121784173

Wembley Way is a load of shte.

Actually all those manufacturerd over commercial "walks" are. In the Emirates fans still go to the old pubs around Highbury first and it's those traditions that people want practically everywhere not some big metal box run by a rip off chain.

roadmaster

According to the examiner the government will give funds to casement today. It will be interesting to see how much they will give considering funding is also been looked at fotr many stadiums in the 26 countys across many sports codes.

https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/politics/arid-41335708.html

roadmaster

Looks Like the UK may not want to pony up the cash for casement.

https://www.radiokerry.ie/sport/government-pledges-50-million-euro-for-casement-park-warning-from-uk-secretary-of-state-for-ni-370909

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121794316#Comment_121794316

Maybe our side put forward another 50m to try look like the good guys knowing it will never be spent.

Just some international Willie waving.

roadmaster

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121794706#Comment_121794706

Members of the Dail would never pull a stunt like that would they

threeball

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121792295#Comment_121792295

BBC NI were saying there was a previous commitment of €400m which was withdrawn during the crash, was offered later at €75m and was expected to be reinstated to the full €400m. Some dust to be firing at a road in another jurisdiction. You'll find that the Tories will want the GAA and the Irish Government to pony up the cash for casement as well, for a total white elephant.

Pete_Cavan

If the cost estimate for Casement has gone above, or even near, £200m then it is dead in the water. There is no way that kind of money could be justified. The clock is ticking for ability to complete in time for Euro28 so redesign isn't an option.

CHH saying the UK doesn't want to contribute more and even Ulster GAA saying they can't put up more money. Unionists in the north are feeling a bit sore right now due to recent events so will see stopping Casement as a nice achievable victory while having cost as cover. The €50m from the Irish government is a cheque they know will never be cashed.

spot555

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121800249#Comment_121800249

Just want to factually correct a few of the points here - Ulster Rugby and the Irish FA have got their stadia built, it is only fair that Ulster GAA gets their stadium finally built - The commitments been given multiple times by the UKGov & NI Executive both in the media and in writing in official government documents.

CHH didn't say "the UK doesn't want to contribute more". He said "if something becomes too expensive then things have to change” - doesn't mean the UK doesn't want to contribute any more, they may look at other ways of funding it, maybe giving a loan to the GAA along with increased funding etc. He has also said previously that "...we will work with all partners to deliver the Casement Park stadium." and that they'll get the funding sorted between all stakeholders of the 2028 Euros/Casement projects. Also Ulster GAA said that its close to the max they can give, not saying outright in the last few days that they won't contribute any more, it wouldn't surprise me if the GAA increases their contribution to say £18m or £20m. They seemed to have worked with the Irish Government to achieve the additional €50m investment which is fantastic and very much makes it easier for the uk Gov to give an increased amount.

Unionists 'feeling a bit sore' - another bit of nonsense - majority (two thirds) of unionists back the DUP deal to go back to power sharing as reported in the Belfast Telegraph a few days ago.

The '£200m' figure is something various unionists politicians and commentators have been saying over the last few days and the figure magically increasing over the last few days, quite ridiculously - Jim Shannon MP saying £220m in a public forum, others online saying £200m, £300m etc, magically increasing each time to make it seem more and more untenable - very mischievous I might add, whilst the public procurement process for a new contractor is happening at the moment - totally undermining the process and likely increasing the cost for taxpayers.

The contracts are signed between the GAA and UK Dept of Culture, Media and Sport. Planning permission received in full. It's getting built and I for one, cannot wait, it will be a massive boost for West Belfast, Antrim, Belfast as a whole, Ulster, NI and the island. Euros, Ulster Championship, NFL, NHL, All Ireland QFs, Concerts, Ulster Rugby, American Football, Feile festival etc all to look forward to in a new world class stadium.

roadmaster

If Casement does not happen will we see the Cork County Board approach the government to host in PUC and tell them for only a few million they could upgrade PUC to the required standard for the euros

kksaints

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121802750#Comment_121802750

No because it's UEFA they'd have to deal with it for Euro hosting rights. In the event that Casement Park isn't ready, the Irish Government could be asked to make a contribution to an emergency upgrade to Windsor Park instead to guarantee Euro matches in NI. Mind you that scenario would be unplatable for lots of reasons.

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121802785#Comment_121802785

Both Cork and Windsor are miles off what is needed and very few of the parties involved give a shte whether NI hosts games.

It will be an extra game in England which has tonnes of readily available stadiums.

kksaints

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121802926#Comment_121802926

That's much more likely alright, still it's an interesting hypothetical question as to whether the Irish Government would be willing to stump up funding to Linfield and the IFA to guarantee Euro matches in the North.

FrancieBrady

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121802785#Comment_121802785

IFA have already said it isn't possible, have they not?

kksaints

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121803082#Comment_121803082

Yes from a funding standpoint. I'm not entirely sure if it is possible from a space and construction point of view also. Still it's not going to happen albeit I think it's more likely that a request like that would be put in than Cork getting matches.

Pete_Cavan

There is no chance of designing, getting planning approval, tendering and building an extension to Windsor. It's not even being talked about.

Casement is the only possibility for hostinig in NI and it is looking increasingly unlikely at this stage. The UK government aren't committing to what level of funding they will give until costs are known. It will have to be tendered first and from what I can see, a tender hasn't been reissued. When/if they do eventually get tender prices back, there will be another round of wrangling over who is picking up the rest of the tab. It is getting close to the stage where there just isn't enough time to build the stadium in time for Euro28.

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121803172#Comment_121803172

It would need to double it's capacity and it's landlocked on 3 sides.