THE GAA HAS opened its new National Games Development Centre in Abbotstown with the state-of-the-art facility designed to cater for teams from all around the country.
A total of €12 million has been invested in the 25-acre site which is situated within the confines of the National Sports Campus.
The recently completed project includes a total of five floodlit pitches, a 3G playing surface, a hurling wall and a pavilion which has 10 dressing rooms, a gymnasium, physio and meeting rooms and dining facilities.
The centre’s main pitch, which is a replica of the surface at Croke Park, has a 400-seater covered stand which backs on to the main pavilion.
“It gives us great pleasure to unveil this fantastic new facility and it is right and proper that the GAA and our native games have a presence in a prime location within the National Sports Campus,” GAA President, Aogán Ó Fearghail, said.
“The facilities on offer to the wider GAA family here rank alongside the best anywhere and great credit is due to all who have been involved from the inception of the project right through to its delivery.
“The real benefits of this development will come to be seen in the months and years ahead as the Centre caters for teams of all types fostering a sharing of best practice that will enhance our games and the experience of those who play and coach them.”
Take a look around below.
The GAA's new National Games Development Centre.
The state-of-the-art gymnasium.
And will be kitted out with the best equipment.
Venue manager Derry Enwright gives guests a tour.
There are 10 dressing rooms in total.
The main pitch has a 400-seater stand on one side.
The stands backs on to the pavilion.
There are five playing pitches - four full size - and one 3G playing surface.
The main pitch is a replica of the surface at Croke Park.
Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO" title="">
Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO" title="">
Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO" title="">
Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO" title="">
Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO" title="">
Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO" title="">
Source: The42.ie" title="">
Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO" title="">
Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO" title="">
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They keep signing forwards but long keeps finding a way to get back into team….. fingers crossed he can again. And that ombefami gets a good run of games next session too.
@Augustus hoop: A bit like Steve Finnan and Glen Whelan before him. Every season they spend a fortune replacing them with an expensive new signing. Every season they return to the old reliable only to repeat the process the following year. How many fullbacks did Pool sign to replace Finnan? Or Stoke midfielders?
@Augustus hoop: except this guy could actually be the real deal I’m amazed it’s taken this long for a epl club to take the risk