Features

Semple Stadium set for redevelopment

Semple Stadium, home of the Tipperary Gaelic Athletic Association, is set to undergo extensive redevelopment work as part of a long-term project.

The Irish Independent newspaper has reported that the 45,000-seat stadium in Thurles will benefit from €8m (£7m/$8.8m) to €9m worth of improvements, although the capacity of the venue will remain the same.

The report said that Tipperary GAA has received the green light to proceed with the project, with planning permission having been granted for the next five years.

The Kinane Stand, which seats 14,500 fans, will benefit from a new floor that will feature a gym, physio and changing room facilities. A catering area is also set to form part of the plans.

The COVID-19 crisis is likely to mean that it will be some time before work can begin on the project.

Another GAA stadium, Cork’s Páirc Uí Chaoimh, is also scheduled to undergo renovation work. GAA director general Tom Ryan said in February that the cost of the redevelopment is projected at €96m, €17.5m more than what was initially outlined.

Ryan had also expressed a desire for the long-awaited redevelopment of Casement Park to begin this year but this would now appear unlikely due to COVID-19. Casement Park has been closed since 2013 and development plans still await planning permission seven years after the last match was staged there.

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