Healy Park

Healy Park
Páirc Uí hÉilí
Location Omagh, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland
Coordinates 54°36′50″N 7°17′46″W / 54.61389°N 7.29611°W / 54.61389; -7.29611Coordinates: 54°36′50″N 7°17′46″W / 54.61389°N 7.29611°W / 54.61389; -7.29611
Public transit Omagh Ulsterbus depot
Owner Omagh St. Enda's
Capacity 25,500
Field size 142 m × 86 m (466 ft × 282 ft)
Construction
Opened 1972[1]
Renovated 2001
Construction cost € 2 million (2001 renovation)

Healy Park (Irish: Páirc Uí hÉilí) is a Gaelic Athletic Association stadium in Omagh, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It is one of the largest stadiums in Northern Ireland with a ticketed capacity of approximately 18,500.[2] It is the home of Omagh St. Enda's and the Tyrone Gaelic football teams.[3] It is located on the Gortin Road and is approximately a 10-minute walk from the town centre.[4] The Hogan Stand magazine said the stadium "is now recognised as one of the premier GAA venues in the country."[5]

History

In early 1962, Omagh St. Enda's club purchased 13 acres (5.3 ha) of land at Lisnelly located near the Gortin Road. By 1968 the club had raised enough money to start construction of the new stadium. The park was eventually opened on 17 September 1972, by former GAA president Alf Murray and on the 19th of October 1980, the new park was dedicated to Micheal Healy. The two years between 1980 and 1982 saw the fruitation of the new clubrooms and social centre at Healy Park, which added further to the infrastructure of Healy Park. 1994 saw the terracing added to three sides of the pitch.[6]

Redevelopment

Work began in September 2001 to build a new all-seated covered stand with a capacity of 5,000. The stand was opened in 2004.[7]

In April 2006, Healy Park became the first Gaelic football stadium in Ulster to have floodlighting installed.[5]

A modern Press Box and Control Tower was made available at Healy Park for the Tyrone Senior Football Championship final on Sunday 14 October 2007 between Dromore St. Dympna's and Coalisland Na Fianna. New changing rooms and disabled facilities have also been installed.[8]

Plans

Tyrone GAA has unveiled plans for a second covered stand at Healy Park as the board feels it is time for additional covered and seated accommodation. They also plan to expand the ends behind both goals. Work has already started on the second phase of a £5m redevelopment scheme.[7]

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://www.worldofstadiums.com/europe/united-kingdom/northern-ireland/healy-park/
  2. ↑ "Clones to stage Tyrone-Armagh tie". BBC News. 8 April 2009.
  3. ↑ http://www.stadiumdb.com/healy-park-stadium-omagh-in-northern-ireland.htm
  4. ↑ http://www.omaghstendas.com/ocms/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=116
  5. 1 2 Hoganstand.com - GAA Football & Hurling
  6. ↑ Omagh St. Endas Club History (published 1982)
  7. 1 2 "Healy Park to get a second stand". BBC online. 20 December 2006. Retrieved 2008-04-02.
  8. ↑ http://www.omaghstendas.com/ocms/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=117
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