McHale Park
Encyclopedia
McHale Park is a Gaelic Athletic Association
stadium in Castlebar
, County Mayo
, Ireland
. It is the home of the Castlebar Mitchels and Mayo
Gaelic football
teams. Built in 1931, the ground has an all-seated capacity of 42,000 and is named after John McHale, Archbishop of Tuam
from 1831 to 1881.
and Ballina
and Cloonacastle played a junior championship match. The first inter-county match was a National Football League match between Mayo and Sligo GAA
on April 19 1931, Mayo winning by 0-7 to 0-2. The official opening took place on May 24 1931 when about 4,000 spectators attended a match between Mayo and Kildare GAA
which ended in a draw.
A major redevelopment was undertaken between 1950 and 1952 which raised the capacity of the ground to 40,000 with seating for 18,000 costing £15,000. The ground was reopened on June 15, 1952 with a game between the reigning All-Ireland champions Mayo and Meath
which also ended in a draw.
In the late 1980s covered seating was provided in the Gerry McDonald Stand. In 1990 the Connacht
Council decided to grant aid Dr. Hyde Park
, County Roscommon
with a view to making it the main venue in the province. In reaction to this a further redevelopment was embarked upon by the Castlebar Mitchels club. Over the course of the next 12 years the ground was converted into a 32,000 all-seater stadium and new dressing-rooms, improved press facilities, dug-outs and a wheelchair area were constructed.
In March 2005 the Mayo County Board took control of McHale Park on a fifty-year lease with a view to upgrading the stadium.
In 2008 construction work commenced on a detailed renovation of the ground, to include the construction of a new 10,000 seater stand as well as an extension to the seated area to the south (Albany) end of the ground. Following completion the seated capacity of the stadium will be raised to 42,000, making the stadium the largest all-seater venue in Ireland, outside of Dublin. The €16 million redevlopment works will also include improved facilities for spectators, a museum, underground training areas, and County Board offices. As part of these works the famous facade on the McHale Road side of the ground has been demolished. The redevelopment is scheduled for completion in September 2009. Funding for the project is being generated by the sale of the naming rights for the stadium as well as the sale of season tickets for matches taking place at the ground.
Images of proposed redevelopment of McHale Park
Photographs of ongoing development work at venue, April 2009
1-6.
This was the first League final played in McHale Park. 8,000 attended the match which ended in a draw. Mayo won the replay in Croke Park
by 2-4 to 1-5. It was the first of six League titles in-a-row for Mayo.
1952 Connacht Senior Football final: Roscommon GAA
3-5 Mayo 0-6.
This was the first Connacht final to take place in McHale Park and the first big game there since the redevelopment. Mayo were coming off the back of two consecutive All-Ireland titles and 4 Connacht titles in-a-row. There was a journalists strike on at the time and there were no reporters at the game. The result was sent by telegram to RTÉ
to be read out on their evening GAA results programme. However, it was felt that a mistake must have been made and that Mayo couldn’t have been beaten by an unfancied Roscommon. There was no way of checking this due to the journalists strike, so the result was erroneously read out as Mayo 3-5 Roscommon 0-6.
1962 Connacht Senior Football final: Roscommon 3-7 Galway GAA
2-9.
Galway were well ahead when Aidan Brady broke the crossbar. A lengthy delay ensued while repairs were made. On the resumption the game changed completely and Roscommon turned things around to snatch a famous win.
1975 Connacht Senior Football final replay: Sligo 2-10 Mayo 0-15.
Many thought Sligo had missed their chance in the drawn match in Markievicz Park
but inspired by Mickey Kearins, they won their first Connacht title in 47 years to spark joyous scenes among the Sligo supporters at the final whistle.
1981 Connacht Senior Football semi-final: Mayo 2-7 Galway 1-8.
Few gave Mayo, without a Connacht title for 12 years, any chance against arch-rivals Galway who had just been crowned League champions. However, on a blazing hot summer’s day, a tremendous performance of high fielding by Willie Nally propelled Mayo to a famous victory and they would go on to clinch the Connacht title over Sligo, also at McHale Park.
1991 Connacht Senior Football final: Roscommon 0-14 Mayo 0-14.
With time almost up, it appeared that Mayo had regained the title but up stepped Derek Duggan to kick a now legendary long-range free to take the game to a replay.
1992 Connacht Senior Football final: Mayo 1-14 Roscommon 0-10.
Remarkably, the same McHale Park crossbar was to be broken again in a Connacht final. Mayo were on top when Roscommon’s Enon Gavin brought down the bar. However, there was to be no turnaround for Roscommon on this occasion and Mayo went on to comfortably regain the title.
2001 All-Ireland Senior Football quarter-final: Galway 0-14 Roscommon 1-5.
The first All-Ireland series match to take place in McHale Park was an all-Connacht affair. The two sides had met earlier in the championship when Roscommon had shocked the defending Connacht champions. Revenge was to be sweet for Galway in the re-match as they ran out convincing winners on their way to claiming the All-Ireland title.
Gaelic Athletic Association
The Gaelic Athletic Association is an amateur Irish and international cultural and sporting organisation focused primarily on promoting Gaelic games, which include the traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders...
stadium in Castlebar
Castlebar
Castlebar is the county town of, and at the centre of, County Mayo in Ireland. It is Mayo's largest town by population. The town's population exploded in the late 1990s, increasing by one-third in just six years, though this massive growth has slowed down greatly in recent years...
, County Mayo
County Mayo
County Mayo is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the village of Mayo, which is now generally known as Mayo Abbey. Mayo County Council is the local authority for the county. The population of the county is 130,552...
, Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
. It is the home of the Castlebar Mitchels and Mayo
Mayo GAA
The Mayo County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Mayo GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Mayo and the Mayo inter-county teams.-History:...
Gaelic football
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
teams. Built in 1931, the ground has an all-seated capacity of 42,000 and is named after John McHale, Archbishop of Tuam
Archbishop of Tuam
The Archbishop of Tuam is an archiepiscopal title which takes its name after the town of Tuam in County Galway, Ireland. The title was used by the Church of Ireland until 1839, and is still in use by the Roman Catholic Church.-History:...
from 1831 to 1881.
History
Discussions with the owners of the land where McHale Park now stands commenced in 1929 and the deal was concluded on March 7, 1930. In early 1931 development of the pitch took place at a cost of £1,700. The first competitive matches took place in McHale Park on March 22 1931 when Castlebar minors played BallaBalla
Balla is a village in County Mayo, Ireland on the N60 National secondary road, the main road between Castlebar and Claremorris. The economy of the village survives mainly on passing trade, from the busy N60 which carries over 7,000 vehicles through the village every day. The village is to be...
and Ballina
Ballina, County Mayo
Ballina is a large town in north County Mayo in Ireland. It lies at the mouth of the River Moy near Killala Bay, in the Moy valley and Parish of Kilmoremoy, with the Ox Mountain range to the east and the Nephin Beg mountains to the west...
and Cloonacastle played a junior championship match. The first inter-county match was a National Football League match between Mayo and Sligo GAA
Sligo GAA
The Sligo County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Sligo GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Sligo...
on April 19 1931, Mayo winning by 0-7 to 0-2. The official opening took place on May 24 1931 when about 4,000 spectators attended a match between Mayo and Kildare GAA
Kildare GAA
For more information see Kildare Senior Club Football Championship or Kildare Senior Club Hurling Championship.The Kildare County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Kildare GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Kildare...
which ended in a draw.
A major redevelopment was undertaken between 1950 and 1952 which raised the capacity of the ground to 40,000 with seating for 18,000 costing £15,000. The ground was reopened on June 15, 1952 with a game between the reigning All-Ireland champions Mayo and Meath
Meath GAA
The Meath County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Meath GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Meath, as well as for Meath inter-county teams.- Pre-1960s :...
which also ended in a draw.
In the late 1980s covered seating was provided in the Gerry McDonald Stand. In 1990 the Connacht
Connacht
Connacht , formerly anglicised as Connaught, is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the west of Ireland. In Ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for...
Council decided to grant aid Dr. Hyde Park
Dr. Hyde Park
Dr. Hyde Park is a Gaelic Athletic Association stadium in Roscommon, Ireland. Built in 1969, and officially opened in 1971, it is the home of the Roscommon Gaelic football team, with Athleague being the traditional home for the Roscommon hurling team...
, County Roscommon
County Roscommon
County Roscommon is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the town of Roscommon. Roscommon County Council is the local authority for the county...
with a view to making it the main venue in the province. In reaction to this a further redevelopment was embarked upon by the Castlebar Mitchels club. Over the course of the next 12 years the ground was converted into a 32,000 all-seater stadium and new dressing-rooms, improved press facilities, dug-outs and a wheelchair area were constructed.
In March 2005 the Mayo County Board took control of McHale Park on a fifty-year lease with a view to upgrading the stadium.
In 2008 construction work commenced on a detailed renovation of the ground, to include the construction of a new 10,000 seater stand as well as an extension to the seated area to the south (Albany) end of the ground. Following completion the seated capacity of the stadium will be raised to 42,000, making the stadium the largest all-seater venue in Ireland, outside of Dublin. The €16 million redevlopment works will also include improved facilities for spectators, a museum, underground training areas, and County Board offices. As part of these works the famous facade on the McHale Road side of the ground has been demolished. The redevelopment is scheduled for completion in September 2009. Funding for the project is being generated by the sale of the naming rights for the stadium as well as the sale of season tickets for matches taking place at the ground.
Images of proposed redevelopment of McHale Park
Photographs of ongoing development work at venue, April 2009
Memorable McHale Park Matches
1934 National Football League final: Mayo 2-3 Dublin GAADublin GAA
Dublin County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Dublin GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Dublin. The county board is also responsible for the Dublin inter-county teams...
1-6.
This was the first League final played in McHale Park. 8,000 attended the match which ended in a draw. Mayo won the replay in Croke Park
Croke Park
Croke Park in Dublin is the principal stadium and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association , Ireland's biggest sporting organisation...
by 2-4 to 1-5. It was the first of six League titles in-a-row for Mayo.
1952 Connacht Senior Football final: Roscommon GAA
Roscommon GAA
For more details of Roscommon GAA see Roscommon Senior Club Football Championship or Roscommon Senior Club Hurling Championship.The Roscommon County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Roscommon GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games...
3-5 Mayo 0-6.
This was the first Connacht final to take place in McHale Park and the first big game there since the redevelopment. Mayo were coming off the back of two consecutive All-Ireland titles and 4 Connacht titles in-a-row. There was a journalists strike on at the time and there were no reporters at the game. The result was sent by telegram to RTÉ
Raidió Teilifís Éireann
Raidió Teilifís Éireann is a semi-state company and the public service broadcaster of Ireland. It both produces programmes and broadcasts them on television, radio and the Internet. The radio service began on January 1, 1926, while regular television broadcasts began on December 31, 1961, making...
to be read out on their evening GAA results programme. However, it was felt that a mistake must have been made and that Mayo couldn’t have been beaten by an unfancied Roscommon. There was no way of checking this due to the journalists strike, so the result was erroneously read out as Mayo 3-5 Roscommon 0-6.
1962 Connacht Senior Football final: Roscommon 3-7 Galway GAA
Galway GAA
The Galway County Boards of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Galway GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Galway. The county boards are also responsible for the Galway inter-county teams.Unlike all other counties in Ireland,...
2-9.
Galway were well ahead when Aidan Brady broke the crossbar. A lengthy delay ensued while repairs were made. On the resumption the game changed completely and Roscommon turned things around to snatch a famous win.
1975 Connacht Senior Football final replay: Sligo 2-10 Mayo 0-15.
Many thought Sligo had missed their chance in the drawn match in Markievicz Park
Markievicz Park
Markievicz Park is the principal Gaelic Athletic Association stadium in County Sligo, Ireland, home to the Sligo football and hurling teams. Built in 1955 due mostly to Sean Forde who single-handedly gathered the funds necessary to build the stadium, it is named after Sligo-born Constance...
but inspired by Mickey Kearins, they won their first Connacht title in 47 years to spark joyous scenes among the Sligo supporters at the final whistle.
1981 Connacht Senior Football semi-final: Mayo 2-7 Galway 1-8.
Few gave Mayo, without a Connacht title for 12 years, any chance against arch-rivals Galway who had just been crowned League champions. However, on a blazing hot summer’s day, a tremendous performance of high fielding by Willie Nally propelled Mayo to a famous victory and they would go on to clinch the Connacht title over Sligo, also at McHale Park.
1991 Connacht Senior Football final: Roscommon 0-14 Mayo 0-14.
With time almost up, it appeared that Mayo had regained the title but up stepped Derek Duggan to kick a now legendary long-range free to take the game to a replay.
1992 Connacht Senior Football final: Mayo 1-14 Roscommon 0-10.
Remarkably, the same McHale Park crossbar was to be broken again in a Connacht final. Mayo were on top when Roscommon’s Enon Gavin brought down the bar. However, there was to be no turnaround for Roscommon on this occasion and Mayo went on to comfortably regain the title.
2001 All-Ireland Senior Football quarter-final: Galway 0-14 Roscommon 1-5.
The first All-Ireland series match to take place in McHale Park was an all-Connacht affair. The two sides had met earlier in the championship when Roscommon had shocked the defending Connacht champions. Revenge was to be sweet for Galway in the re-match as they ran out convincing winners on their way to claiming the All-Ireland title.
See also
- List of GAA Stadiums by Capacity
- Stadiums of IrelandStadiums of IrelandThe following is a list of sports stadiums in Ireland. Most stadiums are used for Gaelic games, association football, or rugby union. This includes stadiums in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.- See also :...
- All-Ireland Senior Football ChampionshipAll-Ireland Senior Football ChampionshipThe All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, the premier competition in Gaelic football, is a series of games organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association and played during the summer and early autumn...
- Gaelic footballGaelic footballGaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
- Gaelic Athletic AssociationGaelic Athletic AssociationThe Gaelic Athletic Association is an amateur Irish and international cultural and sporting organisation focused primarily on promoting Gaelic games, which include the traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders...
- CastlebarCastlebarCastlebar is the county town of, and at the centre of, County Mayo in Ireland. It is Mayo's largest town by population. The town's population exploded in the late 1990s, increasing by one-third in just six years, though this massive growth has slowed down greatly in recent years...
- Mayo GAAMayo GAAThe Mayo County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Mayo GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Mayo and the Mayo inter-county teams.-History:...