Louth GAA clubs vote to proceed with development of Drogheda

An artist’s impression of what a redeveloped Drogheda would look like

The Louth County Board last night issued a statement in relation to the ongoing County Grounds debacle.

Despite recent claims from Dundalk IT that a proposed stadium at the college would only have cost the GAA €3 million, made up by a €1.5 million contribution from Louth GAA and a further €1.5 million from Croke Park, this has been refuted.

The County Board insists the 12,000 seater stadium would have cost €10.5 million, plus VAT, which was well above the original budget of €6 million.

The Louth County Board say they are now going to seek funding from Croke Park for the redevelopment of the Gaelic Grounds in Drogheda. Once secured, they say they will sit down with the O Raghallaigh’s to try and work out a deal for a redevelopment of the grounds.

Ownership issues have held up previous planned investments in the Drogheda venue with Croke Park unwilling to pump money into a County Ground that is not owned by the association.

Clubs last night voted 33-9 in favour of the Drogheda Grounds proposal, subject to funding and legal agreements being agreed upon.

The Drogheda plan is estimated to cost in the region of €3.7 million.

Related articles

• Plans for County Grounds at Dundalk IT are shelved as Louth’s focus turns to Drogheda (talkofthetown.ie)
• Dundalk IT hit back over County Ground debacle (talkofthetown.ie)