(Oldest Posts First)
I visited the Sports Ireland GAA Centre of Excellence in Abbotstown recently and it got me thinking - what facilities do each county have. Fionn (Dublin) - Posts: 4448 - 08/07/2025 14:21:06 2624390 Link 0 |
Louth, Sligo, Kildare and Leitrim have ones.
Seanfanbocht (Roscommon) - Posts: 2522 - 08/07/2025 15:51:17 2624417 Link 0 |
I have been to Darver - think they have 4 pitches.??
Fionn (Dublin) - Posts: 4448 - 08/07/2025 16:44:26 2624432 Link 0 |
Kerry is probably the best I've been to, in terms of the building itself anyway. A circular, almost space-age structure, with a massive cinema-style room for video analysis and all sorts of other meeting rooms etc as well. Even a touch like the external doors from each dressing room directly facing the corresponding pitch sets it apart from others. Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 2969 - 08/07/2025 17:11:12 2624441 Link 0 |
We have one. Not that it is showing much improvement yet. But green shoots - if you use a magnifying glass
Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1728 - 08/07/2025 17:25:31 2624444 Link 0 |
Wexford have a really good one outside Ferns. On the main N11. Beautiful facility to their credit. ExiledInWex (Dublin) - Posts: 1425 - 08/07/2025 17:49:22 2624454 Link 0 |
Carlow have 3 excellent pitches, all floodlit with pathways etc around each and metal fencing etc. Space for future development of a 4th pitch as well but currently let as farmland. Changing rooms and shop etc are all modular but it is a neat and well kept set up. Onion Breath (Carlow) - Posts: 1609 - 08/07/2025 18:18:36 2624464 Link 1 |
Mayo don't have one yet... it's being built on land at Bohola. The one you're thinking about is the Connacht CoE at Bekan. Longford & Roscommon have plans to build as have Cavan. Fermanagh & Monaghan have CoE's. The Monaghan one is along the N2 and I think has 3/4 pitches.
Square_B (Leitrim) - Posts: 1423 - 08/07/2025 18:36:01 2624466 Link 0 |
Think the majority of the money is in place now. Some work starting this winter.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 16513 - 08/07/2025 18:45:47 2624471 Link 0 |
5 and 1 astro
Lúla571210 (Louth) - Posts: 134 - 08/07/2025 19:46:58 2624480 Link 1 |
I have to give ye credit for originality at least. I'd love to know which was the first county to call their training ground a "Centre of Excellence" and why nearly every county decided that this was the only acceptable name for their facility.
CastleBravo (Meath) - Posts: 1690 - 08/07/2025 20:22:26 2624491 Link 0 |
Abbotstown is nothing special compared to some of the centres out there to be fair, pitch quality can be quite poor at times which for a national centre isn't great. if_in_doubt (Kildare) - Posts: 3692 - 08/07/2025 21:18:44 2624498 Link 0 |
Tyrone's is the most impressive I've seen, funnily enough also done with a circular structure. Serious set up. It's amazing that as good as Abbotstown is the dressing rooms are relatively tiny. tearintom (Wexford) - Posts: 1529 - 08/07/2025 21:22:00 2624499 Link 0 |
Pretty sure the astro pitch can't be used anymore. It's needs replaced It wasn't in great shape and a few years back, they used it as a car park for when Championship Games were in Darver which finished it off It's still remarkable they play club championship games (Intermediate final replay being the last on) in Darver For anyone with mobility issues it's horrendous, and considering Haggardstown, Castlebellingham and Ardee are all a few mins away from it and ideal for club games it always amazes me when games are there. Players hate it too DundalkGael (Louth) - Posts: 956 - 08/07/2025 23:08:48 2624518 Link 0 |
Tyrone's is top of range as is Kerry but newer. Only one in Mayo is the Connacht GAA owned one while they are looking to build one of their own. Leitrim,Sligo have centre but don't seem overly pleased by facilities. Louth and Offaly have good ones Kildare also.
Gaa_lover (USA) - Posts: 3708 - 09/07/2025 03:25:28 2624532 Link 0 |
I never saw inside the dressing rooms but it looks a small enough building to fit 10 dressing rooms and meeting rooms inside.
GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 8159 - 09/07/2025 09:15:12 2624551 Link 0 |