Walsh Park project on hold until late 2025
Phase 1 of Walsh Park has been complete, but the second phase is set to be held up until late 2025 or early 2026. Photo: INPHO/Ken Sutton
Phase 2 of the Walsh Park redevelopment won’t start until the end of 2025 according to county board chairman Sean Michael O’Regan.
Ballysaggart delegate Seamus Kearney asked for an update on the project at last week's meeting in Dungarvan. “We’re in discussions with stakeholders on finance,” O’Regan said.
“We’re working hard on that. Once we get a couple more green lights, we’ll kick off. How long will that be? How long is a piece of string? I mean that in a positive way. It could be the end of 2025, the start of 2026.”
The government have committed over €7 million to Walsh Park under the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund. Phase 1 was completed in September 2023. The ground reopened for the senior hurling semi-final between De La Salle and Roanmore.
After the meeting, O’Regan confirmed that Phase 2 won’t get underway before the 2025 Munster hurling championship. Peter Queally's Déise welcome Clare and Limerick to the city venue next year.
Phase 2 and Phase 3 involves upgrading the Keane’s Road End and the City End. The cost and the design are being discussed at present. “Everybody knows there’s a substantial amount of money from the government, a substantial amount of money from Croke Park and Munster Council and we’re looking at other fundraising revenue streams. To do the two of them, you’re talking about the €10 million mark. It’s going to be a while before the tender document comes in to give us a final cost.”
The underage grades will be up for debate again at the next board meeting on October 21.
Last November, Waterford chose to keep minor at Under 17 after a secret ballot. Option 1 to keep age grades at Under 13, 15 and 17 received 34 votes. Option 2 to change to Under 14, 16 and 18 got 21 votes.
Three options are on the table this time around. The first is to keep the status quo of Under 13, Under 15 and Under 17. The second option is Under 14, Under 16 and Under 18 with Under 18s allowed to play adult. The third is Under 14, Under 16 and Under 18 with Under 18s unable to play adult.
O’Regan told delegates that eight clubs are yet to pay for their ten-year club season tickets. Back in January, the executive encouraged every club to purchase two tickets for €2,000 to support the cost of running inter county teams. “The new deadline is the next county board meeting of October 21.” O'Regan stated. “If not, we are looking at holding back on All Ireland tickets.”
O’Regan also warned that the number of referees in the county is going to decrease next year. He praised the current batch of officials. “Fourteen weekends on the trot they are not at home. It’s only us as club delegates that can change that.”
County secretary Pat Flynn told the meeting that club hurling gate receipts increased by five per cent in 2024. The senior final between Ballygunner and Abbeyside at Fraher Field brought in €42,671. The premier intermediate and junior double header yielded €18,499. An in-depth financial update will be given to club delegates on October 21.
O'Regan hailed the revamped Déise Draw as a “huge success.” He thanked treasurer Kieran Geary, PRO Richard Tobin and all the clubs for their hard work.
Kill delegate Ray Hennessy voiced his opposition to the Central Council decision to suspend pre-season competitions for 2025. “Were the county boards consulted on it? If not, I think it’s a joke. People are crying out to go to matches in January and February. The Munster Council are down €350,000 as a result. It’s bananas.”
Paudie Coffey from Portlaw queried the level of coaching in Waterford schools. “Does the board ever get a report on how successful Coaching and Games is in schools? It’s something that we can’t let trundle on. Let’s review it and see if it’s working.” Coaching officer Pat Grant confirmed that a review is ongoing and will be completed at the end of the year.
The 2024 county convention will take place on December 12 at Lawlor’s Hotel in Dungarvan. It will get underway at 7pm.
