Tipperary GAA unveils ambitious plans for significant expansion of training hub
Plans to significantly expand Tipperary GAA’s training facilities in Thurles have been unveiled, including three new pitches and infrastructure for a future centre of excellence.
Tipperary GAA lodged plans with Tipperary County Council seeking planning permission for a major extension of Coolmore Dr Morris Park in Thurles.
The plans form part of a wider long-term vision to develop a Coolmore Tipperary Academy and centre of excellence at the Thurles site, although the current application does not include the proposed centre building.
Dr Morris Park currently has three training pitches, which are not sufficient to meet current demand across the county, files also show.
Files show that there is currently a lack of training pitches at academy and intercounty level, and the development in Thurles aims to address this.
Under the current plans before the council, three additional new pitches will be added to Dr Morris Park, as well as ball stop netting, a sprinkler irrigation system, associated well and water storage tanks, and floodlighting.
Plans for three new pitches to be added to Dr Morris Park to support Tipperary GAA into the future. © Tipperary County Council planning portal
An existing hurling ball wall will be demolished, and two new ball walls will be built in its place, while an all-weather track and training areas will be added.
Plans also include two new vehicle entrances off Childers Park Road, with new internal vehicle and pedestrian layouts, a new campus walkway, and car, bus, motorcycle and bicycle parking facilities.
The plans represent a significant investment in gaelic games in the county, and come as part of the long-term vision for the site, which aims to establish the Coolmore Tipperary Academy — a modern centre of excellence building situated within a high-performance training campus capable of supporting the development of players, coaches and teams at all levels of the organisation.
“The wider masterplan seeks to create a fully integrated sporting environment, bringing together high-quality playing facilities, training infrastructure, player welfare facilities, administration functions and community uses within a cohesive and sustainable campus setting,” according to planning files.
While the current plans don’t include the building of the centre of excellence building, the new training facilities are a “significant step” towards achieving that vision, according to agents acting on behalf of Tipperary GAA.
“The wider masterplan also establishes a framework for the future centre of excellence building, which is intended to become the focal point of Coolmore Tipperary Academy and provide a range of facilities supporting athlete development, performance and wellbeing,” the agent added.
The plans aim to support Tipperary GAA’s ambitions into the future, as well as enhancing Coolmore Dr Morris Park as a top sporting destination, files show.
“Having state of the art playing surfaces and facilities is fundamental to the county’s ambition of creating a learning centred environment for club and intercounty players,” agents said.
The pressure on top-level pitches across the county will further increase with the planned integration of six intercounty teams from Camogie and the Ladies Gaelic Football Association, agents added.
“To address both current and future needs, there is a clear requirement for the development of a state-of-the-art facility,” they said.
Tipperary County Council is due to decide on the plans by November 17.