O'Connor Park
O'Connor Park (Irish: Páirc Uí Conaire) is a GAA stadium in Tullamore, County Offaly, Ireland. It is one of the principal grounds of the Offaly GAA Gaelic football and hurling teams. It is known for sponsorship reasons as Bord na Móna O’Connor Park.[2]
Páirc Uí Conaire | |
| Location | Tullamore, County Offaly, R35 R654, Ireland |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 53°16′50″N 7°29′22″W |
| Public transit | Tullamore railway station High Street bus stop |
| Owner | Offaly GAA |
| Capacity | 20,000 |
| Field size | 145 x 90 m |
| Surface | Grass |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1934 |
| Renovated | 2004-2006 |
| Architect | Kiernan Structural Steel LTD[1] |
The ground was opened in 1934, to replace Ballyduff Park,[3] and currently has a capacity of 20,000.
The ground currently consists of a covered stand on one side of the pitch, with terracing on the other three. A stand was built in 1991, but replaced by the current structure in 2006. The stand (currently known as the 'New Stand' pending decision on a new name) was completed in 2006. It seats 7,000 people and also includes a press box and a special section for wheelchair users. Its 10 sections are each split horizontally with green, white and gold colour seats (the colours of Offaly GAA), with the words 'Uíbh Fhailí' (the Irish for Offaly) spelt out across the stand's white section. At the same time as the stand was being constructed, improvements were also made in the terracing on the opposite side of the pitch, allowing it to comfortably hold 8,000 people. Plans are ongoing to further develop the ground and provide floodlights, improved dressing rooms, toilet facilities and a TV camera room on the terrace side of the ground.[3][4]
The ground is owned by Tullamore GAA club, but was leased out by the Offaly County Board for 35 years in 2002 for use in inter-county matches.
References
- Kiernan Structural Steel LTD - Clients - O'Connor Park Tullamore
- "It's Bord na Móna O'Connor Park". Offaly Independent. Retrieved 20 June 2017.
- "O'Connor Park Development". Offaly GAA. Retrieved 17 December 2012.
- phase 3 was completed in May 2010 which includes new tv studio, commentary boxes, toilet facilities and extra terracing behind the goals. 4 state of the art dressing rooms were also provided. "'Within budget' tenders submitted for O'Connor Park work". Offaly Express. 3 March 2009. Archived from the original on 8 September 2009. Retrieved 17 September 2009.