Galway GAA is confident financing could be secured for a ‘Centre of Excellence’ if the City and County Councils gave their backing to a proposal to develop the facility at Galway Airport.

That’s according to the Chairperson of Galway GAA, Paul Bellew, who said a proposal to develop the centre for Galway GAA, Ladies Gaelic Football Association and Galway Camogie had been met with a “roundly positive response”.

The three organisations wrote to Galway City and County Councils, the joint owners of the site at Carnmore, last Friday proposing the “exploration” of using it as municipal centre of excellence for all three codes – a first-of-its-kind facility in the country.

Speaking to the Connacht Tribune this week, Mr Bellew said their letter, which was also sent to TDs and councillors, sought to begin a conversation about the potential of the site – and politicians from across the political spectrum had thrown their support behind “this unique opportunity”.

“The response has been wide-ranging and very supportive from a whole range of councillors and TDs. They are looking to facilitate meetings with the Councils in the coming weeks and months.

“This is simply a request to explore the site – we are not demanding anything,” stressed Mr Bellew, adding that internal discussions about Carnmore had commenced sometime before Christmas.

Caption: New chapter? Galway Airport.

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