THE GAA ARE set to invest €9m in a new high performance facility for the association at the National Sports Campus in Blanchardstown.

The association has confirmed this morning that the development work is set to commence in the coming weeks and will be ready for use by September 2014.

The new facility will include four full-size pitches including one to the scale of Croke Park, a full-size 3G training facility and a hurling wall.

A state-of-the-art pavilion will be constructed to include 10 changing rooms, a viewing gallery for 350 people and ancillary space to cater for offices, meeting rooms, physiotherapy, a gym and a canteen.

Parking spaces for 256 cars and eights coaches have also been included for the facility that will also serve as a national training centre for Camogie and Ladies football and caters for the needs of counties, clubs, schools and colleges in Dublin and the greater Leinster area.

The GAA has worked in conjunction with the National Sports Campus Development Authority to develop these facilities and the GAA will be one of 20 national sporting bodies operating from the Campus

Pic: www.gaa.ie

Here’s the reaction to the announcement:

Leo Varadkar – Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

“I am really excited that the GAA is coming to the Campus. It is the first of the four major field sports organisations to develop training facilities on site. I want to congratulate them on their decision and to assure them of the support and assistance of the Government with their development.”

Liam O’Neill – GAA President

“It is fitting that the GAA should take its place alongside the other 19 national sporting bodies who will have a presence at the impressive new Campus I am pleased that teams from across Ireland – and indeed those visiting from overseas – will have access to these excellent facilities to further enhance their preparation for competing in our games at every level.”

Sean Benton – Chairman of NSCDA

“This is a very significant investment by the GAA and represents another huge step forward in the ongoing development of world-class training facilities at the National Sports Campus.”

NSCDA Chairman Seán Benton, GAA Director-General Páraic Duffy and NSCDA CEO Barry O’Brien

Minister: Alcohol sponsorship of sport is ‘complicated’