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Ireland's sevens teams move into new IRFU high-performance facility

The new multi-million Euro training centre features three outdoor pitches as well as a three-quarter length indoor pitch.

THE IRISH MEN’S and women’s sevens teams have centralised their training programmes by moving into the IRFU’s new high-performance facility at the Sport Ireland Campus in Abbotstown.

The IRFU has invested €6 million in the new facility, which was last week opened as part of phase two of the Sport Ireland National Indoor Arena. 

A view of the Sport Ireland National Indoor Arena The indoor pitch at the Sport Ireland Campus. Bryan Keane / INPHO Bryan Keane / INPHO / INPHO

Previously based at the IRFU sevens headquarters on Lansdowne Road, both the men’s and women’s squads will avail of the three outdoor pitches, a three-quarter length indoor pitch, medical rooms and state-of-the-art strength and conditioning facilities on campus.

As well as the sevens athletes, the campus will be home to IRFU support staff working across the sevens and women’s programmes on a full-time basis.

The facility will play an important part in the continued development of the sevens squads, with the men having recently qualified for the World Sevens Series circuit for next season, while both are bidding to reach the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

“We are delighted to see our sevens team move into these world-class facilities at the Sport Ireland Campus,” IRFU chief executive Philip Browne said.

“The entire campus will only benefit sport in the long term and I must commend and thank the government and Sport Ireland for the vision and determination that has made it a reality.

“The IRFU has invested over six million euro in fitting out the facility to the specifications we need.

“This is an important period in the development of our high-performance teams, with the sevens squads seeking qualification for the Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020. Competition for places is high, but this new home will ensure the teams’ preparation will be the best it can be.”

Irish Rugby TV / YouTube

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    Mute Davedental
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    Jun 26th 2019, 6:04 PM

    Surely we should have these facilities for the 15 a side game too instead of spending tens of thousands a year at carton house?

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    Mute RabidHorizon
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    Jun 26th 2019, 6:34 PM

    @Davedental: can you back up your “tens of thousands” claim with some substance? I’d be curious to know what actual spend is.

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    Mute Jonathan Meany
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    Jun 26th 2019, 7:23 PM

    @RabidHorizon: not hard to find, the IRFU publish their annual financial statement every year on https://www.irishrugby.ie/irfu/annual-report/
    The last 20 years are there

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    Mute RabidHorizon
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    Jun 26th 2019, 10:32 PM

    @Jonathan Meany: point me to the costs of Carton House within any of the reports from the last 20 years please pal! Thanks.

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    Mute Paul Ennis
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    Jun 27th 2019, 1:25 AM

    @RabidHorizon: You hardly need an IRFU report to work this out for yourself….. A basic room at Carton House costs €190 per night and the Irish team spends at least 10 nights per year there. A squad of 40 plus support staff…. conservative estimate 35 rooms?

    Comes to €66k without considering use of facilities or upgrades.

    In any event, I can see the IRFU using the indoor pitch quite a bit as they had already floated the idea of an indoor pitch to clubs around the country. There will be a hotel on campus eventually (if not already) and it makes alot of sense.

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    Mute Limón Madrugada
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    Jun 27th 2019, 4:23 PM

    @Paul Ennis: and while I’m sure Carton House give them a good rate for the rooms , below the going nightly rate there would also be charges for many other things . 66k seems way too little to me .

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