Mayo GAA Discussion Part 2

statto25 wrote: »

Bekan belongs to Connacht GAA. Any of our county teams have to pay to use it.

Fair point but it would be interesting to have a cost benefit analysis done on the such a mooted facility.Bekan is an impressive facility and on our doorstep.

Doesn't the Dublin team use the facilities out in Abbotstown?Not too sure about the financial implications in relation to same.

Definitely a case of putting the house before the cart as naughto mentioned.Best to put the commercial manager in place first.

No sign, I'm heading in to work so I won't be in a position to check the Mayo GAA Twitter account.

seligehgit wrote:

No sign, I'm heading in to work so I won't be in a position to check the Mayo GAA Twitter account.

I've seen it seligehgit, it's fantastic.

Willie Joe Padden is back in! Noel Durkin is on the bench.

Is there only the big game on in the Park tomorrow?

seligehgit wrote:

Absolutely,the facility up in Bekan is top class.It makes little sense to be building a new one.

The one in Bekan is run by the connaught council is it not? The other counties have centres of excellence exclusively for their use

Westernyelp wrote: »

The one in Bekan is run by the connaught council is it not? The other counties have centres of excellence exclusively for their use

Yip see Statto's post on the top of the page.:)

statto25 wrote: »

It will be a bit mad to have 2 facilities like this in Mayo. Maybe the one in Balla will be county teams only? Abbottstown is owned by the GAA rather than the Leinster council and they insist its open to everyone, but I'm sure at a cost.
As you said a commercial manager should be put in place first and then start fundraising or looking for sponsors. A company name over the door in Balla would be worth a few quid to get the project rolling.

I don't have an issue with 2 facilities in the County, but 2 facilities that close to each other seems a bit daft. Surely a location either closer to Castlebar or somewhere would make more sense. The only logic I can see is that the population density of the clubs tends to be greater that side of Mayo, but even still, Castlebar or its environs would be a far better pick - somewhere out between Castlebar and Foxford would be more central.
And if we are to have a second one, having a commercial manager looking to tie up naming or sponsorship deals certainly would go a long way towards providing the funding needed for that.
Bekan was selected as its probably the most central point in Connacht, having another COE only 25 minutes away (when the size of the county is taken into consideration) seems somewhat nonsensical.

jasonroche123 wrote: »

any team

David Clarke (Ballina Stephenites)
Brendan Harrison (Aghamore)
Ger Cafferkey (Ballina Stephenites)
Chris Barrett (Belmulet)
Colm Boyle (Davitts)
Lee Keegan (Westport)
Patrick Durcan (Castlebar Mitchels)
Seamus O’Shea (Breaffy)
Tom Parsons (Charlestown)
Fergal Boland (Aghamore)
Diarmuid O’Connor (Ballintubber)
Stephen Coen (Hollymount/Carramore)
Kevin McLoughlin (Knockmore)
Cillian O’Connor (Ballintubber, captain)
Andy Moran (Ballaghaderreen).

Blackjack wrote: »

I don't have an issue with 2 facilities in the County, but 2 facilities that close to each other seems a bit daft. Surely a location either closer to Castlebar or somewhere would make more sense. The only logic I can see is that the population density of the clubs tends to be greater that side of Mayo, but even still, Castlebar or its environs would be a far better pick - somewhere out between Castlebar and Foxford would be more central.
And if we are to have a second one, having a commercial manager looking to tie up naming or sponsorship deals certainly would go a long way towards providing the funding needed for that.
Bekan was selected as its probably the most central point in Connacht, having another COE only 25 minutes away (when the size of the county is taken into consideration) seems somewhat nonsensical.

I don't have an issue either. Prenty was on a radio show or podcast a few weeks back and said that Bekan is in constant use between teams and schools each week so I would think there is demand for more all weather surfaces in the county especially in winter. He did mention that Bekan was chosen because it was the most central point in the province. Its also not far from where he lives but that's another story!

statto25 wrote: »

I don't have an issue either. Prenty was on a radio show or podcast a few weeks back and said that Bekan is in constant use between teams and schools each week so I would think there is demand for more all weather surfaces in the county especially in winter. He did mention that Bekan was chosen because it was the most central point in the province. Its also not far from where he lives but that's another story!

Yeah Bekan has been quite busy I understand, so the demand is there for more pitches to be made available, i just think Balla is the wrong place for it.

Blackjack wrote: »

Yeah Bekan has been quite busy I understand, so the demand is there for more pitches to be made available, i just think Balla is the wrong place for it.

Last year there was talk of 2 new all weather pitches going in at Bekan. Loads of space around it for lots more development.

PressRun wrote: »

Also, don't think the prognosis for Aidan O'Shea's injury is too good. Not improving as quickly as you'd like, apparently. Struggled for Breaffy at the weekend.

Will he be picking the goalman

SeanJ09 wrote: »

Can't make the game back home as I'm stuck in Dublin with work. Anyone know of a good spot to watch it in the city centre? (with volume etc..)

The living room on Cathal Brugha street (just off O'connell street) should have volume for it. If not, ask them and they will put it on. I watched Monaghan - down there last Saturday.

Pitch is in great nick,touch of wind.Perfect playing conditions.