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Planning approved for Down GAA Centre at Ballykinlar

GAA President welcomes significant step towards a new county Centre of Excellence

The development of a state-of-the-art Centre of Excellence for Down GAA took a major step forward today with the planning approval by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council for the proposed complex at Ballykinlar.

The decision is a green light for Down to advance towards an exciting new chapter for the GAA and Gaelic Games in the county, with detailed capital plans now in place to bring an historic project to reality.

The approval from the Council’s Planning Committee will allow for the development of 4 full size GAA pitches (3 of which are floodlit), spectator seating, multi-use games area (MUGA), changing rooms, fitness studio and ancillary offices.

The latest step forward comes almost four years after the Down GAA County Committee gave approval for advanced negotiations with the Ministry of Defence on the proposal of a lease for development. After discussions and agreement between officials of Down GAA and MoD representatives on the proposed lease and development of part of the Abercorn Barracks site at Ballykinlar into a multi-purpose GAA complex, the plans for drafted and advanced through the consultation and planning phases.

The design phase was led by McGurk Architects Ltd.

Ballykinlar has a vibrant GAA community and history, and the local club facility had been a training base for Down senior teams for a number of years. Whilst the new centre will cater for the training and administrative needs of Down teams in all Gaelic Games codes, it will also be a significant resource for the Ballykinlar club and the local communities.

The site at Ballykinlar was an MoD military base and training centre that also served as an internment camp during and after the Irish War of Independence, a century ago.

Down GAA Chairman John Devaney welcomed the decision and looked forward to the next stages of the project.

“The development of the proposed centre is now in our own hands. We are excited by the prospect of a facility that can cater for our sporting, administrative and cultural, but we know that a significant amount of work lies ahead. The planning approval brings the vision into view and allows our members and supporters across the county and beyond to imagine an impressive complex that will serve our future needs. It will take the efforts and support of everyone to bring it to fruition, and I want to particularly commend the work of Seán Óg McAteer, Colm McGurk, Anthony McNeill, Sarah McDowell, Sean Foy and their teams, as well as the personnel whom we have worked with within the Ministry of Defence, and all others who have helped to bring the project to this point.

“The facility will also open up new opportunities for the Ballykinlar club and the local area, providing a focal point and an enhancement of the GAA provision in the locality, so that the club and our games can blossom and grow.

“We also know that the story of Ballykinlar and its history provides a fascinating backdrop. Parts of our local and national history intertwine at this place, and we have an opportunity to reflect past, present and future in what we build and develop.

Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael (President of the Gaelic Athletic Association) Larry McCarthy added:

“I congratulate Down GAA on getting this ambitious project to this stage. With planning permission secured, the attention of their project board can now focus on bringing the initiative to fruition.

“The project is both imaginative and creative and underlines the potential of collaboration when forward-thinking entities work together.

“It has the potential to bolster Down GAA in every area of its activity and also the Ballykinlar club and the wider community in this part of the county. 

“Of behalf of the GAA at national level, I wish you all every success and I look forward to visiting the new facility.”

Attention will now turn to the establishment of a Project Board under the chairmanship of Feargal P McCormack, which will provide the strategic direction for the project.

 

2021 Down GAA ACHL (Division 1) - Sponsored by O Neills

Mon, 31 May,

Ballycran V Clonduff 19:30, 

Portaferry V Carryduff 19:30, 

Newry Shamrocks V Liatroim 19:30, 

Ballela CLG V St. Peter's GAA Warrenpoint 19:30, 

Mon, 07 Jun,

Clonduff V Newry Shamrocks 19:30, 

Liatroim V Ballela CLG 19:30, 

St. Peter's GAA Warrenpoint V Portaferry 19:30, 

Carryduff V Ballycran 19:30, 

 

2021 Down GAA ACHL (Division 2) - Sponsored by O Neills

Mon, 31 May,

Ballyvarley V Bredagh 19:30, 

East Belfast  V Portaferry 19:30, 

Castlewellan V Ballycran 19:30, 

Ballygalget GAC V Kilclief 19:30, 

Sun, 06 Jun,

Kilclief V East Belfast  13:00, 

Mon, 07 Jun,

Bredagh V Castlewellan 19:30, 

Ballycran V Ballygalget GAC 19:30, 

Portaferry V Ballyvarley 19:30, 

 

2021 Down GAA U17 HL (North)

Wed, 02 Jun,

Portaferry V Cuchuliann 19:30, 

Ballycran V Ballygalget GAC 19:30, 

 

2021 Down GAA U17 HL (South)

Wed, 02 Jun,

Ballyvarley V St. Peter's GAA Warrenpoint 19:30, 

Craobh Rua V Liatroim 19:30, 

 

2021 Down GAA Betsy Gray Shield

Thu, 03 Jun,

Newry Shamrocks V St. Peter's GAA Warrenpoint 19:30, 

Portaferry V Clonduff 19:30, 

Carryduff V East Belfast  19:30, 

Bredagh V Ballycran 19:30, 

 

2021 Down GAA U13 HL (Division 1)

Fri, 04 Jun,

Castlewellan V Ballygalget GAC 19:30, 

Carryduff V Ballycran 19:30, 

 

2021 Down GAA U13 HL (Division 2)

Wed, 02 Jun,

Patrick Rankin’s V Clonduff 19:30, 

Fri, 04 Jun,

Ballela CLG V Clonduff 19:30, 

Kilclief V Bredagh 19:30, 

Craobh Rua V Patrick Rankin’s 19:30, 

 

2021 Down GAA U15 HL (Division 1)

Sun, 30 May,

Ballygalget GAC V Ballycran 11:00, 

Portaferry V O'Rahillys 11:00, 

Carryduff V Bredagh 11:00, 

Sun, 06 Jun,

Carryduff V Ballycran 11:00, 

Ballygalget GAC V Portaferry 11:00, 

Bredagh V O'Rahillys 11:00, 

 

2021 Down GAA U15 HL (Division 2)

Sun, 30 May,

St. Peter's GAA Warrenpoint V Ballyvarley 11:00, 

Kilclief V Clonduff 12:30, 

Sat, 05 Jun,

Killeavy St Moninna V St. Peter's GAA Warrenpoint 18:00, 

Sun, 06 Jun,

Ballyvarley V Kilclief 11:00, 

 

2021 Corn an Duin (Group 1)

Fri, 04 Jun,

Mayobridge V Carryduff 19:30, 

Kilcoo V An Ríocht 19:30, 

Liatroim V Drumgath 19:30, 

 

2021 Corn an Duin (Group 2)

Fri, 04 Jun,

Longstone V Ballyholland 19:30, 

St. Peter's GAA Warrenpoint V Annaclone 19:30, 

Ballymartin V Atticall 19:30, 

 

2021 Corn an Duin (Group 3)

Fri, 04 Jun,

Newry Shamrocks V Loughinisland 19:30, 

Bryansford V Glenn 19:30, 

Tullylish V Clann na Banna 19:30, 

 

2021 Corn an Duin (Group 4)

Wed, 02 Jun,

Clonduff V Downpatrick 20:00, 

Fri, 04 Jun,

St John's V Bredagh 19:30, 

 St Patrick's Saul V Saval 19:30, 

 

2021 Corn na nGael (Group 1)

Fri, 04 Jun,

St Paul's V Ardglass 19:30, 

Drumaness V Teconnaught 19:30, 

Dromara V Bright 19:30, 

Aughlisnafin V St John Bosco 19:30, 

 

2021 Corn na nGael (Group 2)

Fri, 04 Jun,

Glasdrumman V St Michael's 19:30, 

East Belfast  V Aghaderg  19:30, 

Kilclief V Dundrum GAC 19:30, 

 

2021 Down GAA U11.5 HL (East)

Sat, 05 Jun,

Liatroim V Kilclief 11:30, 

Clonduff V Castlewellan 11:30, 

 

2021 Down GAA U11.5 HL (North)

Sat, 05 Jun,

Ballygalget GAC V Ballycran 11:30, 

Carryduff V Portaferry 11:30, 

Bredagh V Bredagh 11:30, 

 

2021 Down GAA U11.5 HL (South)

Sat, 05 Jun,

St. Peter's GAA Warrenpoint V Craobh Rua 11:30, 

Ballela CLG V Newry Shamrocks 11:30, 

 

2021 Down GAA U15 FL (Division 1 - 15 a-side)

Thu, 03 Jun,

Carryduff V Bryansford 19:30, 

Kilcoo V Burren 19:30, 

Clonduff V Mayobridge 19:30, 

St. Peter's GAA Warrenpoint V Ballyholland 19:30, 

St John Bosco V Bredagh 19:30, 

 

2021 Down GAA U15 FL (Division 2 - 15 a-side)

Thu, 03 Jun,

Newry Shamrocks V Liatroim 19:30, 

Bredagh V Drumgath 19:30, 

Castlewellan V An Ríocht 19:30, 

Teconnaught V Clann na Banna 19:30, 

Glenn V Rostrevor 19:30, 

 

2021 Down GAA U15 FL (Division 3 - 13 a-side)

Thu, 03 Jun,

Saval V Aghaderg  19:15, 

Loughinisland V Darragh Cross 19:30, 

 St Patrick's Saul V Dromara 19:30, 

Tullylish V Atticall 19:30, 

Drumaness V Longstone 19:30, 

 

2021 Down GAA U15 FL (Division 4 - 13 a-side)

Sun, 30 May,

Bryansford V Dundrum GAC 10:30, 

Thu, 03 Jun,

St Michael's V Annaclone 19:30, 

Kilclief V Dundrum GAC 19:30, 

Bryansford V Ardglass/Bright 19:30, 

St John's V St Paul's 19:30, 

 

2021 Down GAA Felix Darby PRFL (Section A)

Tue, 01 Jun,

Ballymartin V Saval 19:30, 

Sat, 05 Jun,

Burren V Saval 17:00, 

Liatroim V St. Peter's GAA Warrenpoint 17:00, 

 

2021 Down GAA Felix Darby PRFL (Section B)

Sat, 05 Jun,

Rostrevor V Bryansford 17:00, 

Kilcoo V Mayobridge 17:00, 

Tue, 08 Jun,

Mayobridge V Ballyholland 20:00, 

 

2021 Down GAA Felix Darby PRFL (Section C)

Sat, 05 Jun,

Castlewellan V Loughinisland 17:00, 

Carryduff V Tullylish 17:00, 

 

2021 Down GAA Felix Darby PRFL (Section D)

Sat, 05 Jun,

Clonduff V Newry Shamrocks 17:00, 

Downpatrick V Bredagh 17:00, 

 

2021 Down GAA Father Davies RFL (Section A)

Sun, 30 May,

Drumgath V An Ríocht 14:00, 

St John's V Longstone 17:00, 

Kilcoo V Clonduff 17:00, 

Sun, 06 Jun,

Clonduff V St John's 17:00, 

Longstone V Drumgath 17:00, 

An Ríocht V Kilcoo 17:00, 

 

2021 Down GAA Father Davies RFL (Section B)

Sun, 30 May,

Dundrum GAC V Kilclief 15:00, 

Bredagh V Bright 17:00, 

St Paul's V Carryduff 17:00, 

Sun, 06 Jun,

Kilclief V St Paul's 17:00, 

Carryduff V Bredagh 17:00, 

Bright V Dundrum GAC 17:00, 

 

2021 Down GAA Father Davies RFL (Section C)

Sun, 30 May,

St. Peter's GAA Warrenpoint V St Michael's 13:30, 

Mayobridge V Atticall 17:00, 

Dromara V Burren 17:00, 

Sun, 06 Jun,

St Michael's V Dromara 17:00, 

Burren V Mayobridge 17:00, 

Atticall V St. Peter's GAA Warrenpoint 17:00, 

 

2021 Down GAA Father Davies RFL (Section D)

Sun, 30 May,

Drumaness V Ardglass 17:00, 

 St Patrick's Saul V East Belfast  17:00, 

Darragh Cross V Castlewellan 17:00, 

Sun, 06 Jun,

Ardglass V  St Patrick's Saul 17:00, 

Castlewellan V Teconnaught 17:00, 

East Belfast  V Darragh Cross 17:00, 

 

2021 Down GAA U17 FL (Division 1 - 15 a-side)

Mon, 31 May,

Mayobridge V Bryansford 19:30, 

Burren V Bredagh 19:30, 

St John Bosco V Ballyholland 19:30, 

Carryduff V Clonduff 19:30, 

Mon, 07 Jun,

Bredagh V Ballyholland 19:30, 

Clonduff V St John Bosco 19:30, 

Burren V Mayobridge 19:30, 

Bryansford V Carryduff 19:30, 

 

2021 Down GAA U17 FL (Division 2 - 15 a-side)

Mon, 31 May,

Newry Shamrocks V An Ríocht 19:30, 

St. Peter's GAA Warrenpoint V Dundrum GAC 19:30, 

Clann na Banna V Kilcoo 19:30, 

Liatroim V Downpatrick 19:30, 

Castlewellan V Loughinisland 19:30, 

Mon, 07 Jun,

Liatroim V St. Peter's GAA Warrenpoint 19:30, 

An Ríocht V Castlewellan 19:30, 

Downpatrick V Kilcoo 19:30, 

Dundrum GAC V Newry Shamrocks 19:30, 

Loughinisland V Clann na Banna 19:30, 

 

2021 Down GAA U17 FL (Division 3 - 13 a-side)

Mon, 31 May,

Teconnaught V Atticall 19:30, 

Tullylish V  St Patrick's Saul 19:30, 

Glenn Michaels V Darragh Cross 19:30, 

Longstone V Saval 19:30, 

Annaclone/Drumgath V Rostrevor 19:30, 

Mon, 07 Jun,

Longstone V Tullylish 19:30, 

Atticall V Annaclone/Drumgath 19:30, 

Saval V Darragh Cross 19:30, 

 St Patrick's Saul V Teconnaught 19:30, 

Rostrevor V Glenn Michaels 19:30, 

 

2021 Down GAA U17 FL (Division 4 - 13 a-side)

Mon, 31 May,

Bredagh V Aghaderg  19:15, 

Ardglass/Kilcief V St John's 19:30, 

Bright V St Paul's 19:30, 

Carryduff V Burren 19:30, 

Mon, 07 Jun,

Aghaderg  V Carryduff 19:15, 

St Paul's V Burren 19:30, 

Bright V Ardglass/Kilcief 19:30, 

St John's V Bredagh 19:30, 

 

2021 Down GAA U9.5 HL (Section A)

Sat, 05 Jun,

Ballygalget GAC V Portaferry 10:30, 

Carryduff V Bredagh 10:30, 

 

2021 Down GAA U9.5 HL (Section B)

Sat, 05 Jun,

Ballycran V Kilclief 10:30, 

Carryduff V Bredagh 10:30, 

 

2021 Down GAA U9.5 HL (Section C)

Sat, 05 Jun,

Ballela CLG V Liatroim 10:30, 

Castlewellan V Carryduff 10:30, 

 

2021 Down GAA U9.5 HL (Section D)

Sat, 05 Jun,

Ballyvarley V St. Peter's GAA Warrenpoint 10:30, 

Newry Shamrocks V Clonduff 10:30, 

 

2021 South Down GAA U13 Football League (Division 1) - Sponsored by New Mourne Trophies

Tue, 01 Jun,

Mayobridge V Ballyholland 19:30, 

Clonduff V Burren 19:30, 

Mon, 07 Jun,

Newry Shamrocks V Mayobridge 19:00, 

Tue, 08 Jun,

Ballyholland V Clonduff 19:30, 

 

2021 South Down GAA U13 Football League (Division 2) - Sponsored by New Mourne Trophies

Sun, 30 May,

Annaclone V St. Peter's GAA Warrenpoint 17:00, 

Tue, 01 Jun,

Annaclone V St John Bosco 19:30, 

St. Peter's GAA Warrenpoint V Clann na Banna 19:30, 

Rostrevor V Tullylish 19:30, 

Tue, 08 Jun,

St John Bosco V An Ríocht 19:30, 

Tullylish V St. Peter's GAA Warrenpoint 19:30, 

Clann na Banna V Annaclone 19:30, 

 

2021 South Down GAA U13 Football League (Division 3) - Sponsored by New Mourne Trophies

Tue, 01 Jun,

St Michael's V Aghaderg  19:30, 

Drumgath V Atticall 19:30, 

Saval V Longstone 19:30, 

Tue, 08 Jun,

Longstone V Drumgath 19:30, 

St Michael's V Saval 19:30, 

Atticall V Aghaderg  19:30, 

 

2021 South Down GAA U13 Football League (Division 4) - Sponsored by New Mourne Trophies

Tue, 01 Jun,

Ballyholland V Clonduff 19:30, 

Eire Og V Newry Shamrocks 19:30, 

Glenn V Burren 19:30, 

Tue, 08 Jun,

Burren V Eire Og 19:30, 

Clonduff V Glenn 19:30, 

Newry Shamrocks V Ballyholland 19:30, 

 

2021 South Down GAA U11 Football League (Division 1) - Sponsored by New Mourne Trophies

Sun, 30 May,

Saval V St. Peter's GAA Warrenpoint 11:00, 

Mayobridge V St John Bosco 11:00, 

Ballyholland V Newry Shamrocks 11:00, 

Clonduff V Burren 11:00, 

Wed, 02 Jun,

Newry Shamrocks V Annaclone 19:00, 

Sun, 06 Jun,

Burren V Mayobridge 11:00, 

Newry Shamrocks V Clonduff 11:00, 

St John Bosco V Saval 11:00, 

Annaclone V Ballyholland 11:00, 

 

2021 South Down GAA U11 Football League (Division 2) - Sponsored by New Mourne Trophies

Sun, 30 May,

An Ríocht V Glenn 11:00, 

St Michael's V Tullylish 11:00, 

Longstone V Rostrevor 11:00, 

Sun, 06 Jun,

Glenn V St Michael's 11:00, 

Rostrevor V Clann na Banna 11:00, 

Tullylish V Longstone 11:00, 

 

2021 South Down GAA U11 Football League (Division 3) - Sponsored by New Mourne Trophies

Sun, 30 May,

Drumgath V Aghaderg  11:00, 

Burren V Ballyholland 11:00, 

Atticall V Clonduff 11:00, 

Sun, 06 Jun,

Aghaderg  V Burren 11:00, 

Clonduff V Mayobridge 11:00, 

Ballyholland V Atticall 11:00, 

 

2021 South Down GAA U11 Football League (Division 4) - Sponsored by New Mourne Trophies

Sun, 30 May,

St. Peter's GAA Warrenpoint V Clonduff 11:00, 

Mayobridge V Burren 11:00, 

Saval V An Ríocht 11:00, 

Annaclone V Eire Og 11:00, 

Newry Shamrocks V St John Bosco 11:00, 

Wed, 02 Jun,

Newry Shamrocks V Annaclone 19:00, 

Sun, 06 Jun,

An Ríocht V Newry Shamrocks 11:00, 

Eire Og V Mayobridge 11:00, 

St John Bosco V Annaclone 11:00, 

Burren V St. Peter's GAA Warrenpoint 11:00, 

Clonduff V Saval 11:00, 

 

2021 East Down U13 FL (Section A 15 a-side) - Sponsored by CM Precision Components Ltd

Tue, 01 Jun,

Bryansford V Aughlisnafin/Liatroim 19:30, 

Downpatrick V Castlewellan 19:30, 

Carryduff V Bredagh 19:30, 

Tue, 08 Jun,

Bredagh V Downpatrick 19:30, 

Bryansford V Carryduff 19:30, 

Castlewellan V Aughlisnafin/Liatroim 19:30, 

 

2021 East Down U13 FL (Section B 13 a-side) - Sponsored by CM Precision Components Ltd

Tue, 01 Jun,

Kilcoo V Dromara 19:30, 

St Paul's V St John's 19:30, 

Teconnaught V Darragh Cross 19:30, 

 St Patrick's Saul V Kilclief 19:30, 

Tue, 08 Jun,

St John's V Darragh Cross 19:30, 

Kilclief V Teconnaught 19:30, 

St Paul's V Kilcoo 19:30, 

Dromara V  St Patrick's Saul 19:30, 

 

2021 East Down U13 FL (Section C 13 a-side) - Sponsored by CM Precision Components Ltd

Tue, 01 Jun,

Dundrum GAC V Downpatrick 19:30, 

Bredagh V Loughinisland 19:30, 

Tue, 08 Jun,

Downpatrick V Drumaness 19:30, 

Loughinisland V Dundrum GAC 19:30, 

 

2021 East Down U11.5 FL (Section A - 11 a-side) - Sponsored by Interiors Inc

Sun, 30 May,

Carryduff V Drumaness 11:00, 

Kilcoo V Liatroim 11:00, 

Dromara V Bredagh 11:00, 

Downpatrick V Bryansford 11:00, 

Castlewellan V St Paul's 11:00, 

Sun, 06 Jun,

St Paul's V Carryduff 11:00, 

Drumaness V Kilcoo 11:00, 

Bryansford V Castlewellan 11:00, 

Bredagh V Downpatrick 11:00, 

Teconnaught V Dromara 11:00, 

 

2021 East Down U11.5 FL (Section B - 11 a-side) - Sponsored by Interiors Inc

Sun, 30 May,

Kilclief V Carryduff 11:00, 

Bredagh V  St Patrick's Saul 11:00, 

Darragh Cross V Loughinisland 11:00, 

Sun, 06 Jun,

Loughinisland V Bredagh 11:00, 

 St Patrick's Saul V Kilclief 11:00, 

Carryduff V Darragh Cross 11:00, 

 

2021 East Down U11.5 FL (Section C - 11 a-side) - Sponsored by Interiors Inc

Sun, 30 May,

Bredagh V Ardglass 11:00, 

Dundrum GAC V St John's 11:00, 

Bryansford V Downpatrick 11:00, 

Aughlisnafin V Bright 11:00, 

Carryduff V Castlewellan 11:00, 

Ballykinlar V Darragh Cross 11:00, 

Sun, 06 Jun,

Castlewellan V Bredagh 11:00, 

St John's V Carryduff 11:00, 

Downpatrick V Teconnaught 11:00, 

Bright V Dundrum GAC 11:00, 

Darragh Cross V Aughlisnafin 11:00, 

Ardglass V Bryansford 11:00,