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St. Tiarnach's Park in the news
12 December 2006


St Tiarnach's Park, Clones has often featured in GAA headlines and the odd time maybe for not the best of reasons but as the venue for practically every Ulster final since 1944 it was never far from the GAA mindset.

The development of new stadia, particularly those with floodlighting systems is a major item on the GAA agenda at the moment. By the turn of the year four pitches, Ballybofey, Omagh, Casement Park and Breffni Park will have state-of-the-art floodlighting systems in operation with a couple of others to follow a such as Newry and Armagh in 2007. The revamped Brewster Park in Enniskillen where work is on-going will also have a system up to match standards which would leave Monaghan as the only county without a floodlit stadium.

There was much debate and indeed at times heated debate and comment in the public arena when the last three Ulster finals were switched to Croke Park, thereby prompting the powers that be at local level to look at a redevelopment of the long-standing premier venue in the province. To that end a special committee was set up locally in Monaghan with representatives from Monaghan County Board, the business interests of Clones and the wider business community in Monaghan as well as representatives of local political parties, to investigate the possibility of securing some funding for an upgrade to St. Tiarnach's Park.

What would be needed would be a scheme that would increase the capacity from just under 35,000 at the moment to somewhere between 45,000 and 50,000 and practically all seated, as well as a floodlighting system up to television standards. Costs in the region of 30 to 40 million euro have been suggested but central to any funding that might be forthcoming from government or lottery sources would be an undertaking from the Ulster Council that the Ulster finals, except in exceptional circumstances, would be back in Clones. Monaghan County Board chairman, John Connolly raised this matter at last year's county convention in Monaghan and subsequently with the Ulster Council and he is one of the people pushing hard to see this become a reality. "We would hope that the government would come up with funding in the region of 12 to 14 million euro and that the bulk of the remaining costs would be met from within the GAA at provincial and national level. We have already discussed this with representatives of the Ulster Council and we will be seeking another meeting with them very shortly. The Minister for Sport and Tourism, John O'Donoghue was in Monaghan recently to open the New Leisure Centre in Monaghan town and in a short meeting with him we broached the subject and he showed more than a passing interest to say the least.

However the condition about the return of the Ulster final would be central to that because without the final coming back the revamped stadium could be seen as something of a white elephant. The upgrading of Clones and getting the Ulster finals back there has been very high on my agenda since I became chairman of Monaghan County Board and it will continue to be there. I would be hopeful that next year's final could be staged there because all the teams that attract the biggest followings are on the one side of the draw but a redeveloped Clones could also stage many other matches and indeed other activities particularly if we had floodlights. The committee that I am on locally has investigated this to the extent that we have had sketches done of what we would propose as part of the development by increasing the seating capacity all around the ground. I would be the first to acknowledge that what was sufficient 10 years ago, maybe even five years ago is no longer adequate as far as what people attending our games want. People need to be comfortable, they need to be seated and we have to also allow for families who wish to attend our games. I realise it's an ambitious project but if everyone is committed I am very confident that we can make progress and that we will see the Ulster finals once again being staged in the province of Ulster".

Séan Cavanagh's diving block, which the all Ireland for Tyrone

The main stand and the road-side terrace becoming 2 tier stands will result in 50% covered seating accommodation with approximately another 25% of the stadium of been seated. Based on the current capacity of around 36000, 26000 of that is in the two sides that are not on the initial plan for development which leads a 24000 capacity for the two new stands.

Did anyone have the experience of bricks been thrown of bridges at your bus on the way to Clones?

UCD destroyed Monaghan Hurlers last night. Hope that is of great help to you.

Fermanagh wouldn't have a problen with Clones either, its on their door step. that only leaves Donegal, Derry, Antrim and Down. Donegal will unfortunatly have to travel a longer distance regardless and the other 3 can play their Hurling final in Casement.

What about the team from the same parish?

Dessie Mones re-involvment with Monaghan will be a huge boost, he has been outstanding for Clontibret all year, Also Castleblayney Faughs' Ciaran Hanratty will be one to watch.

"Delegates at a meeting of the Kerry county board have ratified Pat O'Shea as the new Kerry senior football manager.

The Dr Crokes clubman's term of office will be just a year for now because of O'Shea's position as Games Manager of the Munster Council.

The new management team will not be named until next week, with the names being ratified at the county convention."

RTÉ Sport.

Can u provide links to your selected threads.

13:45

GAA Beo
Live - AIB Connacht Club Football Final between St. Brigid's (Roscommon) and Corofin (Galway). Deferred showing of the AIB Leinster Club Hurling Final between Birr (Offaly) and Ballyhale Shamrocks (Kilkenny. Followed by the deferred showing of the VHI All-Ireland Ladies Senior Club Football Championship Final between Donaghmoyne (Monaghan) and Carnacon (Mayo).
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"Forgive my Monaghan bias but surely Eugene "Nudie" Hughes has to be the most naturally gifted. Of the three allstars he won  – one was at corner back (1979) and two were at corner forward (1985 and 1988). As this demonstrates an ability to excel at both ends of the pitch and not merely in a specific position."

have to agree with Charlie

2 sets of goals 40 meters apart two teams of about 8 on the right hand side of each goal. 2 balls in play all the time. Each team has one attacker and one defender in action all the time player "A" from each team attacks the opposit goal while player "B" acts as defender, After player "A" takes their shot, player "C" from their team goes on the attack. Player "A" immediatly takes up the role of defender and defends the goal from player "C". Involves a lot of quick thinking as you must get your shot away quickly in order to give yourself time to defend the opposite goal from the player in attack

O'neills have been using the 3 stripes for years.
If you look at video of a championship match from the 80's the subs will be wearing tracksuits with the 3 stripes on the arms and legs.