‘The start of an exciting chapter for Roscommon GAA’
This past week marked a significant milestone for Roscommon GAA, as Roscommon County Council granted planning permission for the development of a Centre of Excellence outside the county town.
The proposed state-of-the-art facility, earmarked for a prime location on the Racecourse Road, represents a major leap forward for the community.
Reacting to this development, Chairperson of the Roscommon GAA County Board, Brian Carroll expressed profound gratitude to all the parties involved in achieving this significant milestone.
“I wish to thank Roscommon County Council for their guidance and information and the elected representatives of the Roscommon Municipal District for their support for the project”.
He also extended his thanks to everyone within Roscommon GAA for their dedication in advancing the project to its current stage.
“This is a mighty day for our county and is the start of an exciting chapter for Roscommon GAA,” Mr Carroll added, underscoring the importance of the planning breakthrough.
Securing planning was the first of many steps needed to get the project off the ground. Sources within the GAA advise the Roscommon People that it will enable Roscommon County Board to open talks with the Connacht GAA Council and GAA HQ in Croke Park about progressing funding applications for the development. It is understood other funding sources are also being pursued.
Local councillor and former Roscommon footballer, Nigel Dineen, expressed his enthusiasm about the project: “I was delighted to be part of the grouping of six local councillors in the Roscommon Municipal District area that passed a material contravention to allow planning to be granted for the Dermot Earley Centre of Excellence”.
The six councillors who facilitated the passing of the material contravention to enable the planning permission to be granted were Cllr Anthony Waldron (Independent); Cllr Orla Leyden (Fianna Fáil); Cllr Paschal Fitzmaurice (Fianna Fáil); Cllr Marty McDermott (Fianna Fáil); Cllr Kathleen Shanagher (Independent) and Cllr Nigel Dineen (Independent).
Cllr. Dineen, who is also an active member of the GAA and a sports co-commentator with Shannonside Northern Sound, stressed the long-term benefits of the project: “This centre of excellence has been in the pipeline for over 20 years and, for different reasons, could never get off the ground”.
The project will create jobs in the short-term as the development includes the construction of three full-size pitches and two smaller astroturf pitches along with dressing rooms, meeting rooms and ancillary services, including a spectator stand.
Additionally, the development will include a ball wall area, office buildings, a canteen, a perimeter walking track and gym.
Cllr Dineen, who has been involved in the management of a number of club/county teams since his playing career ended, further highlighted the impact this project will have on future generations: “This development will facilitate all the young girls and boys in all codes for years to come as we develop our GAA within our county.
“For me personally, as a former county footballer, it was great to be part of this very important decision and I was honoured to propose this material contravention for such a fantastic facility,” continued Cllr Dineen, who concluded: “I was blessed to play for my county team for over 12 years but was not so lucky to have such a state-of-the-art facility to train in. The Dermot Earley Centre of Excellence will be on par with the best facilities in the country”.
*As further information becomes available, the Roscommon People will keep our readers up to date on this landmark development.
