The redevelopment of the scoreboard/St Brendan’sTerrace end of Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney is scheduled to commence in the latter part of 2025, Kerry GAA Chairman, Patrick O’Sullivan, has confirmed.
He said it is an iconic stadium within the GAA that has hosted many memorable games with exceptional players on view but it needs huge redevelopment.
Mr O’Sullivan said the next phase of the overall €74 million redevelopment could not have been carried out without the support of the large infrastructure grant of €6 million received from the Sports Council.
“This money would not have been received without the support of Minister Norma Foley,” the chairman acknowledged at the county convention on Tuesday night.
“We are still lobbying for more money to develop the O’Sullivan Stand and also the St Finan’s side of the ground,” he said.
He thanked stadium chairman Der Brosnan and his committee and the groundsmen Timmy O’Sullivan and Dan Joe Lynch for their great work.
In Tralee’s Austin Stack Park the county committee is hoping to commence the development of the terrace area at the Horan’s end in early January which will increase the capacity of the ground by 2,500.
“This development wouldn’t have been possible without the help of the business people of Tralee,” Mr O’Sullivan said.
He praised the contribution of Liam Lynch who continues to drive the financial aspect of Austin Stack Park, Eamon O’Sullivan and the Austin Stack Park Committee for all the work they do and Tim Daly who took over as groundsman this year.
At the Centre of Excellence in Currans, meanwhile, a commitment has been given to upgrade the first three to the highest standard and the upgrading of the draining system was completed this year. The fourth pitch was also completely rebuilt during the past year. The fifth pitch is going to be an Astro Turf 3G surface and plans have gone to tender.
“We are hoping to start the development of this 3G pitch over the next few weeks, weather depending,” the chairman said.
Mr O’Sullivan thanked Munster Council and chairman Ger Ryan for the contribution of €1.2 million towards the project.
The Kerry GAA also received €360,000 from the sports capital fund towards the development of a floodlit, sand-based pitch that will be licenced for use exclusively by the Kerry ladies and it is hoped to commence this project over the next couple of months.
“I would like to thank the management committee in the Centre of Excellence, under John O’Leary, for driving the ongoing development and also manager of the centre, Aileen Foley, and groundsman Tom Lonergan,” the chairman stated.
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