'Landmark day' as Longford GAA purchases €1 million site for planned Centre of Excellence

The ambitions of Longford GAA County Board to develop their own Centre of Excellence took a massive leap forward after they purchased a 32 acres site beside Glennon Brothers Pearse Park for €1 million at auction this week. 

Announcing news of the acquisition, Club Longford Chairperson Mark Connellan, described it as 'a landmark day in the history of Longford GAA'. 

Speaking this evening, Mr Connellan remarked, "Longford GAA, with the support of Croke Park and Club Longford, has acquired 32 acres of land behind Glennon Brothers Pearse Park." 

He added, "This is a hugely exciting development and the plan is to provide a state of the art Centre of Excellence, with state of the art facilities for our footballer and hurlers, men and women.

"This will provide a huge base to us going forward to give everyone the best opportunity to develop themselves."

Mullingar estate agent Padraic Murtagh facilitated the auction, while his father James Murtagh was also present, both on behalf of James L. Murtagh Auctioneers.

The land, which is primarily agricultural, is zoned for housing and for industrial or commercial use which makes it an attractive investment.

Longford GAA will immediately commence the appointment of a design team to progress with plans for the development of the property. 

Longford GAA County Board Chairperson, Albert Cooney said: “I wish to extend my sincere thanks to all who assisted in advance of the sale, advising on, and making this first step possible.”

Mr Cooney stressed that, in particular, Longford GAA would like to thank the officials and committees in Croke Park and the Leinster Council, 'whose advice, assistance, and support was crucial in delivering on what is the start of a very exciting venture'. 

He added, “We also acknowledge the support received from our fundraising committee, Club Longford, whose assistance was invaluable. We hope that the purchase of this property will be viewed as a very positive development for the future of the GAA in County Longford.

“We look forward to working with all stakeholders, members, and supporters as we progress together with the development of a GAA sports facility that we can all be proud of.”

It is a decade since ill-fated plans to develop a Centre of Excellence at Lyneen near Killashee were shelved as the project was deemed financially unviable. 

Longford GAA County Board originally purchased the land at Lyneen in 2009 for €380,000 and planned to develop a €3 million Centre of Excellence on the 41 acre site.

There was a protracted planning process before the green light was eventually given to the proposed development which included three new full sized training pitches.

However, in September 2013, a report prepared by Collins Boyd Engineering highlighted issues with the site and outlined that an additional €900,000 would be required before development could even commence and this prompted delegates at a County Board meeting to vote unanimously to abandon the plan. 

Longford GAA's desire and ambition to develop their own Centre of Excellence never waned and this week's news will be greeted positively by all involved with the organisation in the county, particularly since the site is adjacent to existing headquarters Glennon Brothers Pearse Park. 

Mr Connellan enthused, "It is a fantastic development but presents many exciting challenges to Club Longford as well and we are going to need to raise significant funds going into the future." 

With attention of officials focused on yesterday's (Tuesday, July 18) auction, Mr Connellan said Club Longford had decided to defer their main fundraising draw for one week, from Saturday, July 22 to Saturday, July 29, and there will be the incentive of another Early Bird Draw due to take place next Wednesday for two much sought All-Ireland Football Final tickets and overnight stay in the Croke Park Hotel. 

The winner of the Longford GAA Early-Bird Draw for two All-Ireland Hurling Final tickets with an overnight stay in the Castleknock Hotel was Jenny McCormack.