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With all the huffing and puffing by posters all over the Country about the need for Casement Park in Belfast to be the Ulster GAA Provincial stadium, despite the restrictions that imposes on what we badly need (Capacity limitations etc).
I now see Kerry GAA proceeding with two Stadium ventures, one with major government and GAA backing,
Austin Stack park in Tralee getting a €2 million upgrade, to bring its capacity to 14,500, privately funded by over 100 local business people.
Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney is now earmarked for €78 million upgrade, to transform it into a modern year round stadium for matches, concerts and events with initial funding of €6 million already secured.
The GAA's National infrastructure committee was meeting in Croke Park last year, and somehow a major redevelopment of Fitzgerald Stadium was on the agenda as a priority.
How did this ever become a priority for the GAA and Irish Government, when Kerry are currently lucky to fill Fitzgerald Stadium once every few years?
Munster is already overloaded with large stadiums, including Pairc Ui Chaoimh in Cork City which isn't that far from Killarney, which they GAA had to bail out not so long ago. The Gaelic Grounds in Limerick, Semple Stadium in Thurles, all huge capacity grounds. I think there need to be a major investigation into how this became a priority, and maybe the GAA needs to publish its priority list for stadium/ground development, Fitzgerald Stadium is already miles ahead of most stadiums/grounds in Ulster, Leinster, and even Connacht in terms of capacity etc.
GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3037 - 06/03/2026 13:23:36
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I'd reckon it is done simply for concerts. Killarney will be an amazing spot for big name gigs.
ohwow (Leitrim) - Posts: 27 - 06/03/2026 15:28:27
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Replying To GaryMc82: "With all the huffing and puffing by posters all over the Country about the need for Casement Park in Belfast to be the Ulster GAA Provincial stadium, despite the restrictions that imposes on what we badly need (Capacity limitations etc).
I now see Kerry GAA proceeding with two Stadium ventures, one with major government and GAA backing,
Austin Stack park in Tralee getting a €2 million upgrade, to bring its capacity to 14,500, privately funded by over 100 local business people.
Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney is now earmarked for €78 million upgrade, to transform it into a modern year round stadium for matches, concerts and events with initial funding of €6 million already secured.
The GAA's National infrastructure committee was meeting in Croke Park last year, and somehow a major redevelopment of Fitzgerald Stadium was on the agenda as a priority.
How did this ever become a priority for the GAA and Irish Government, when Kerry are currently lucky to fill Fitzgerald Stadium once every few years?
Munster is already overloaded with large stadiums, including Pairc Ui Chaoimh in Cork City which isn't that far from Killarney, which they GAA had to bail out not so long ago. The Gaelic Grounds in Limerick, Semple Stadium in Thurles, all huge capacity grounds. I think there need to be a major investigation into how this became a priority, and maybe the GAA needs to publish its priority list for stadium/ground development, Fitzgerald Stadium is already miles ahead of most stadiums/grounds in Ulster, Leinster, and even Connacht in terms of capacity etc." "Cork isn't far from Killarney"
You need to get out more!!
Seanfan (Roscommon) - Posts: 405 - 06/03/2026 16:02:36
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The GAA wouldn't fund a 7,000 stand in Navan.
Where is the money coming for.
GreenMan1987 (Meath) - Posts: 128 - 06/03/2026 17:00:41
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I'm skeptical about the 'world class' bit. Ireland has the worst stadium infrastructure in Europe. We don't usually do good stadiums here.
The new stand in Newbridge does the job nicely for that side of the ground but doesn't go all the way around like it would in any other country on earth and your left with bare uncovered terracing still and we'll end up with something similar in Navan but with the ends behind the goals still off limits.
But we'll see what Kerry can conjure up. Seems odd to do a partial redevelopment of Tralee also. Makes more sense to invest in one site and use that permanently.
trimmer (Meath) - Posts: 575 - 06/03/2026 17:06:48
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Replying To trimmer: "I'm skeptical about the 'world class' bit. Ireland has the worst stadium infrastructure in Europe. We don't usually do good stadiums here.
The new stand in Newbridge does the job nicely for that side of the ground but doesn't go all the way around like it would in any other country on earth and your left with bare uncovered terracing still and we'll end up with something similar in Navan but with the ends behind the goals still off limits.
But we'll see what Kerry can conjure up. Seems odd to do a partial redevelopment of Tralee also. Makes more sense to invest in one site and use that permanently." Have to create a bit of business for both towns.
Seanfan (Roscommon) - Posts: 405 - 06/03/2026 17:47:39
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Worst stadium infrastructure in Europe? We have two rugby sides with decent support and no soccer team with more than 6,000-7,000 regular supporters. We have superb GAA facilities that more than cater for our needs.
Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 2586 - 06/03/2026 17:53:01
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Replying To GreenMan1987: "The GAA wouldn't fund a 7,000 stand in Navan.
Where is the money coming for." €78 Million must be part of the cost for support from a independent TDs in the Coalition....
It's a joke and reeks of corruption, you could probably list 20 Counties who should be ahead of Kerry GAA when it comes to development of Stadium infrastructure, Meath should be near the top of the list, something very fishy going on there.
GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3037 - 06/03/2026 21:17:03
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Replying To Claretandblue: "Worst stadium infrastructure in Europe? We have two rugby sides with decent support and no soccer team with more than 6,000-7,000 regular supporters. We have superb GAA facilities that more than cater for our needs." Don't overstate it, the Inter-county game could probably be run using 8 - 12 top class stadiums across the 4 provinces if the GAA really wanted to be cost efficient. The average standard of our grounds is really poor when compared to other Countries. I'm not just on about size and style, but even just basic facilities like toilets or roofs/shelter.
GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3037 - 06/03/2026 21:57:23
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Replying To GaryMc82: "With all the huffing and puffing by posters all over the Country about the need for Casement Park in Belfast to be the Ulster GAA Provincial stadium, despite the restrictions that imposes on what we badly need (Capacity limitations etc).
I now see Kerry GAA proceeding with two Stadium ventures, one with major government and GAA backing,
Austin Stack park in Tralee getting a €2 million upgrade, to bring its capacity to 14,500, privately funded by over 100 local business people.
Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney is now earmarked for €78 million upgrade, to transform it into a modern year round stadium for matches, concerts and events with initial funding of €6 million already secured.
The GAA's National infrastructure committee was meeting in Croke Park last year, and somehow a major redevelopment of Fitzgerald Stadium was on the agenda as a priority.
How did this ever become a priority for the GAA and Irish Government, when Kerry are currently lucky to fill Fitzgerald Stadium once every few years?
Munster is already overloaded with large stadiums, including Pairc Ui Chaoimh in Cork City which isn't that far from Killarney, which they GAA had to bail out not so long ago. The Gaelic Grounds in Limerick, Semple Stadium in Thurles, all huge capacity grounds. I think there need to be a major investigation into how this became a priority, and maybe the GAA needs to publish its priority list for stadium/ground development, Fitzgerald Stadium is already miles ahead of most stadiums/grounds in Ulster, Leinster, and even Connacht in terms of capacity etc." Its a dump. Was in it last week, makes Clones look like Croke Park. A better place to invest in than Casement.
ORIELMAN85 (Monaghan) - Posts: 965 - 07/03/2026 01:57:27
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Replying To GaryMc82: "With all the huffing and puffing by posters all over the Country about the need for Casement Park in Belfast to be the Ulster GAA Provincial stadium, despite the restrictions that imposes on what we badly need (Capacity limitations etc).
I now see Kerry GAA proceeding with two Stadium ventures, one with major government and GAA backing,
Austin Stack park in Tralee getting a €2 million upgrade, to bring its capacity to 14,500, privately funded by over 100 local business people.
Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney is now earmarked for €78 million upgrade, to transform it into a modern year round stadium for matches, concerts and events with initial funding of €6 million already secured.
The GAA's National infrastructure committee was meeting in Croke Park last year, and somehow a major redevelopment of Fitzgerald Stadium was on the agenda as a priority.
How did this ever become a priority for the GAA and Irish Government, when Kerry are currently lucky to fill Fitzgerald Stadium once every few years?
Munster is already overloaded with large stadiums, including Pairc Ui Chaoimh in Cork City which isn't that far from Killarney, which they GAA had to bail out not so long ago. The Gaelic Grounds in Limerick, Semple Stadium in Thurles, all huge capacity grounds. I think there need to be a major investigation into how this became a priority, and maybe the GAA needs to publish its priority list for stadium/ground development, Fitzgerald Stadium is already miles ahead of most stadiums/grounds in Ulster, Leinster, and even Connacht in terms of capacity etc." Upgrading Fitzgerald stadium shouldn't be a priority. You're right that's rarely if ever full. It would cork to improve a good bit yet to even be filled the once every two years. With new championship structure a high profile match with the likes of a Dublin might bring a full house but that's it.
Pairc ui chaomh struggles a little with its size for concerts. A little too small for the huge stadium gigs and then too big for smaller gigs. Kilarney will fall in the same bucket
For what it is the terraces are very good in kilarney. Maybe a new stand in due course but certainly not a 78million investment.
I was at the armagh vs Donegal match in armagh and their stadium should be a goal for each county. A very decent seated that with good terracing around the rest of the pitch.
Other money should then be aimed at pitches that suit out climate. All weather pitches around the place to allow for the wet winters as an example.
Ulsterchamps_32 (Donegal) - Posts: 978 - 07/03/2026 10:54:00
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Replying To Ulsterchamps_32: "Upgrading Fitzgerald stadium shouldn't be a priority. You're right that's rarely if ever full. It would cork to improve a good bit yet to even be filled the once every two years. With new championship structure a high profile match with the likes of a Dublin might bring a full house but that's it.
Pairc ui chaomh struggles a little with its size for concerts. A little too small for the huge stadium gigs and then too big for smaller gigs. Kilarney will fall in the same bucket
For what it is the terraces are very good in kilarney. Maybe a new stand in due course but certainly not a 78million investment.
I was at the armagh vs Donegal match in armagh and their stadium should be a goal for each county. A very decent seated that with good terracing around the rest of the pitch.
Other money should then be aimed at pitches that suit out climate. All weather pitches around the place to allow for the wet winters as an example." Athletic Grounds are unreal for games. Arguably the best ground for atmosphere when it's full. Nice too to walk out to shop or bathroom to a concrete yard with a bit of planning behind it. Too many grounds badly laid out wandering around mucky ground to get to the toilets. McHale Park on a busy day is a free for all to get in an out of the bathroom and everyone clashing around the shop under the stand and back and forth to get milk/sugar in people's way! Look after the players and coavhes and supporters first. No need for vanity projects overpaying for grounds that are rarely full.
GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 8466 - 07/03/2026 11:08:30
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I remember working with a guy from Cavan a few years ago and talking about how bad the Leinster football championship had got.
He said the likes of Meath needs a stadium as good as Breffni park, that he loved going to big games in Breffni and big games there felt like a real occasion.
Part of the problem with the decline of the Leinster football championship in last 20 years was the GAA not wanting to really invest in grounds in Leinster outside Croke Park.
Croke park was big and needed games to justify its existence.
What has happened in modern times is loads of Leinster championship games (as double and triple headers) in half empty Croke park with terrible atmospheres.
If nearly all games are in Croke park the GAA decided they didn't need to worry much about other grounds in the province.
Leinster has the best ground in the country but outside of this has, for the most part, the worst grounds (Kilkenny has a decent ground to but location not suitable for a lot of Leinster football championship games).
Munster has over all by far the most investment in county grounds, 4 of the top 5 grounds in the country are there. Cork and Kerry even each have 2 inter county standard grounds. Seems mad.
One thing in general I think the GAA need to look at for many of its grounds is cover for standing areas, that would be a huge improvement for spectator comfort on a wet day.
GreenMan1987 (Meath) - Posts: 128 - 07/03/2026 14:16:26
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