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A view of the Connacht GAA Air Dome after damage from Storm Éowyn. James Crombie/INPHO

Connacht GAA Air Dome worth €3.1 million destroyed by storm winds in Co Mayo

The site, which opened in January 2022, was left in ruins following high-speed winds brought by Storm Éowyn.

LAST UPDATE | 24 Jan

CONNACHT GAA’s Air Dome was destroyed by high speed winds this morning as the destructive Storm Éowyn passed over Mayo, members have confirmed.

The €3.1 million facility officially opened near Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo in January 2022, and has hosted GAA games at inter-county, schools, club and colleges level.  The site is used extensively by teams around Connacht.

“The campus is destroyed, it will have to be entirely replaced or rebuilt,” Connacht GAA Secretary John Prenty told  The Journal.

“It will need a full new campus now”, Prenty added.

Connacht GAA confirmed that there were no members of staff on site at the time, and no injuries were reported when the dome came down.

inpho_01713729 Connacht GAA Air Dome in Co Mayo. Inpho Inpho

Connacht GAA members had checked the site at 2:30am this morning ahead of Storm Éowyn, but Prenty explained that the damage was “unavoidable”.

“We did our best to get out and check it, but somewhere between half 3 and half 4 this morning the site came down,” Prenty said. 

He described how the site was one of “the most talked-about GAA facilities” in Ireland, with teams travelling from across the country to play in it.

inpho_02628263 A view of the Connacht GAA Air Dome after damage from Storm Éowyn. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

The first of its kind in Ireland, the site was the largest indoor sports air dome in the world at the time of its opening, measuring 150 metres long and 100 metres wide.

The construction phase got underway in late 2019, although the site was forcibly shutdown just a few months later, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Due to delays in construction, the site opened two years later in 2021.

“It was a one-of-a-kind site, a lot of training, matches and events will have to be cancelled until we get back up and running again,” Prenty said.

Independent Ireland MEP Ciaran Mullooly said in a statement that that he had contacted the Vice-President of the European Commission to see if “emergency aid” can be provided “to help rebuild” the air dome.

Liam Grant, an ultimate frisbee player who was set to host the National Frisbee Championship in the air dome this weekend, said the destruction was “heartbreaking” for the “incredible” staff and wider community.

The Frisbee Championship which was due to start there tomorrow has been cancelled.

“It was great for us and other sports to have a site to use when it’s wet and windy out, which is often the case in Ireland,” Grant said.

Grant explained how a number of teams had flown in from the UK, France, Germany and Italy for the ultimate frisbee tournament, adding that the nearby town of Knock had been “booked out”.

“It’s upsetting for all the players, but it’s heartbreaking for John (Prenty) and the other staff, who worked so hard for the air dome – to get the facility to where it is was such an achievement,” Grant said.

Longford Town FC stadium damaged

Longford Town FC’s stadium has been severely damaged in the storm.

Independent Ireland MEP for Midlands North West Ciaran Mullooly has shared images of the damage online and has asked the EU to consider releasing emergency aid for the region to assist with repairs at Connacht GAA and Bishopsgate Stadium.

Longford Town Ireland Independent MEP Ciaran Mullooly has shared images of the damage to Longford Town FC's Bishopsgate Stadium. Ciaran Mullooly / X Ciaran Mullooly / X / X

The back wall of one stand at the Bishopsgate Stadium in Longford has been damaged, according to the images.

Other images posted online appear to show that a larger, sheltered stand appears to be in tact. The First Division League Of Ireland team are due to face Drogheda United in Ratoath, Co Meath tomorrow night.

Mayo storm damage

Elsewhere in Co Mayo this morning, a number of roads, buildings and sports facilities were affected by high winds caused by Storm Éowyn.

Mid West Radio reported that Burrishoole GAA club was badly hit by the storm, with one of their stands reportedly being destroyed.

With reporting by Muiris Ó Cearbhaill

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    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute FoxyBoiiYT
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    Jan 24th 2025, 10:36 AM

    That’s terrible, honestly not being sarcastic. These facilities are great for sports

    392
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    Mute Temp Stuff
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    Jan 24th 2025, 11:29 AM

    @FoxyBoiiYT: Hope they paid the insurance!

    43
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    Mute Tony
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    Jan 24th 2025, 12:22 PM

    @Luke Littler: Such a clown comment. Sure make some more stuff up in your head there and blurt it out lad.

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    Mute Barry Lehane
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    Jan 24th 2025, 1:14 PM

    @Luke Littler: it was built perfectly. It should have been deflated before the storm. Like your head. Major questions will need to be answered.

    45
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    Mute Patrick MC Dermott
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    Jan 24th 2025, 1:54 PM

    @FoxyBoiiYT: It didn’t stand a chance.

    9
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    Mute Patrick MC Dermott
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    Jan 24th 2025, 1:55 PM

    @Barry Lehane: Maybe they didn’t hear about the coming storm.

    11
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    Mute Barry Lehane
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    Jan 24th 2025, 2:06 PM

    @Patrick MC Dermott: couldn’t blame em sure they still on dial-up internet up there !

    7
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    Mute brendan C5
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    Jan 24th 2025, 3:27 PM

    @Temp Stuff: and if they did, what will the renewal quote be. I’d say that place is finished if the insurance goes up dramatically. It was amazing to look at from the inside on how it was constructed.

    1
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    Mute Jp Cleary
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    Jan 24th 2025, 9:20 PM

    @FoxyBoiiYT: Fear not…. Government will dip into taxpayers money for a quick grant.

    6
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    Mute Mairead O Connor
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    Jan 24th 2025, 10:38 AM

    The Dome can be rebuilt.
    No lives were lost…

    202
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    Mute Jason Walsh
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    Jan 24th 2025, 10:38 AM

    Surely they had to know what wind it could handle and do something about it the last few days. Fully destroyed now and they’ll probably pop up the exact same thing again only to be destroyed a few years later.

    135
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    Mute Ger Murphy
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    Jan 24th 2025, 10:40 AM

    @Jason Walsh: there’s always an expert…

    177
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    Mute Alan OConnor
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    Jan 24th 2025, 10:40 AM

    @Ger Murphy: and Jason isn’t it.

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    Mute he didnt take the 120k because he already got it split over 3 years
    Favourite he didnt take the 120k because he already got it split over 3 years
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    Jan 24th 2025, 11:10 AM

    @Jason Walsh: ye they should have gone down the shops and got some windbreakers we use at the beach that would have saved it

    22
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    Mute John
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    Jan 24th 2025, 11:18 AM

    @Ger Murphy: it’s a fair point he’s making. When you pay over 3m to build a complex you’d expect to know what kind of weather conditions it can withstand

    69
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    Mute Alan Kennedy
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    Jan 24th 2025, 11:22 AM

    @Jason Walsh: It’s not Kansas Doherty!

    8
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    Mute Éamonn O'Kane
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    Jan 24th 2025, 12:36 PM

    @Jason Walsh: winds at speed never recorded in Ireland before.

    14
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    Mute Tom O' Donnell
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    Jan 24th 2025, 1:40 PM

    @Éamonn O’Kane: Unprecedented by 1km/h. So we’ve had similar winds previously

    15
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    Mute John
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    Jan 24th 2025, 1:57 PM

    @Éamonn O’Kane: 1km/h more than previous records. Buildings are usually designed to withstand a much higher exposure to various conditions then possible or likely.

    14
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    Mute Patrick MC Dermott
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    Jan 24th 2025, 1:57 PM

    @Ger Murphy: He’s not wrong. Questions will be asked by insurers as to what steps were taken to minimise the damage

    18
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    Mute Jason Walsh
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    Jan 24th 2025, 2:01 PM

    @Alan OConnor: More expert then you buddy I’d say, I’ve experience in structural design and wind loading is always factored by 30-40%. That’s equivalent to 140-160kph winds for an inexperienced person as yourself.

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    Mute Vincent B
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    Jan 24th 2025, 5:19 PM

    @Jason Walsh: sure what could they do. It’s 150m x 100m Throw a few ropes over it and secure with some wooden stakes. The initial design should have been constructed with these storms in mind. But I’m no expert

    4
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    Mute den
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    Jan 24th 2025, 10:37 AM

    Another excuse not to win Sam again this year!! Jeez

    69
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    Mute danny larkin
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    Jan 24th 2025, 12:07 PM

    @den: Connacht GAA don’t normally play in the All Ireland so doubt they’ll ever win Sam

    35
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    Mute Tony
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    Jan 24th 2025, 12:24 PM

    @Harry Paisley: I’m not sure you realise Connaught isn’t in the championship. It’s a region and not a county. Connaught has never and will never be in the all Ireland.

    18
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    Mute Mark R
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    Jan 24th 2025, 10:41 AM

    These type of domes are supposed to be a ‘Temporary Structure’. Did the sales man tell them. otherwise?

    63
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    Mute Jack Dermody
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    Jan 24th 2025, 10:46 AM

    @Mark R: we have Domes for decades in Ireland. It will be insured and will be back up in 6-9 months eat

    23
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    Mute Tony
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    Jan 24th 2025, 12:25 PM

    @Mark R: another expert. Lol

    13
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    Mute John Brown
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    Jan 24th 2025, 10:38 AM

    Awful for the community…but seriously..tents in Ireland ?

    54
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    Mute Willie Marty
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    Jan 24th 2025, 1:00 PM

    @John Brown: what about the lads in the tents down by the canal.

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    Mute Leon
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    Jan 24th 2025, 10:52 AM

    That’s a big let down

    35
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    Mute Seán O'Sullivan
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    Jan 24th 2025, 10:46 AM

    How would checking it more often have prevented it collapsing ? Did they forget to add a ratchet strap and say that’s not going anywhere or something

    33
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    Mute John K
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    Jan 24th 2025, 11:36 AM

    @Seán O’Sullivan: they did say “that’s not going anywhere” but apparently they forgot to tug on the ratchet strap before saying it, a simple but crucial step of securing any load or vulnerable structure? Lessons will be learned.

    29
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    Mute Tony
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    Jan 24th 2025, 12:26 PM

    @Seán O’Sullivan: Oh another expert, even have the lingo of ratchet straps. Amazing you aren’t running the world with your expert knowledge lad.

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    Mute John Staunton
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    Jan 24th 2025, 12:32 PM

    @Tony: Tony doesn’t get jokes…

    17
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    Mute niall Dorr
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    Jan 24th 2025, 1:25 PM

    They knew it was coming. Why not deflate it? And prepare?

    17
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    Mute Victor Carrera
    Favourite Victor Carrera
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    Jan 24th 2025, 2:35 PM

    Credit: fireengineering.com
    The International Building Code, Chapter 31, Special Construction,1 requires these air-supported structures to withstand a wind load of 90mph/144kph for a three-second gust. The record was broken last night at 183kph. When the positive pressure from wind exceeds the internal pressure of the structure, the structure will begin to dimple on the windward side. This dimple may come in close contact with items within the structure, such as hanging lights or boards surrounding an ice rink, causing a puncture. When there is a strong wind weather advisory, the onsite engineer should increase the structure’s internal pressure.

    16
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    Mute Ronan Mc
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    Jan 24th 2025, 10:37 AM

    Any pics?

    16
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    Mute P. V. Aglue
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    Jan 24th 2025, 10:45 AM

    It cost 3 million to build, it should only cost a couple of hundred to repair.

    14
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    Mute Leon
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    Jan 24th 2025, 10:54 AM

    @P. V. Aglue: I don’t know about that, what with inflation

    77
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    Mute J Bro
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    Jan 24th 2025, 11:53 AM

    @Leon: comment of the day

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    Mute Steve Bradshaw
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    Jan 24th 2025, 1:57 PM

    @Leon: it needs inflation to stay up….

    4
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    Mute Shimo F
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    Jan 24th 2025, 10:47 AM

    Well isn’t that wat insurance is for.

    11
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    Mute Kathleen Murphy
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    Jan 24th 2025, 12:22 PM

    They know they will not be insured for new building / construction unless it meets required specifications.

    10
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    Mute Tony
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    Jan 24th 2025, 12:28 PM

    @Kathleen Murphy: Thanks for your expert advice. Amazing how many experts there are on the journal comments. I’m surprised you have the time

    9
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    Mute Patrick MC Dermott
    Favourite Patrick MC Dermott
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    Jan 24th 2025, 1:59 PM

    @Tony: You haven’t offered any constructive comments other than criticizing others. You’re quite an expert

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    Mute DJ D
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    Jan 24th 2025, 2:23 PM

    @Tony: troll,,,alert!!!

    1
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    Mute Eugene Comaskey
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    Jan 24th 2025, 2:25 PM

    It is a real pity to see it destroyed . Was it a crazy thing to build in the first place ??. It seems that a tremendous amount of money was spent on it . Surely someone thought about deflating it yesterday ?.

    11
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    Mute Victor Carrera
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    Jan 24th 2025, 3:00 PM

    @Eugene Comaskey:
    It is not a quick or simple procedure. Normally only the supplier has the skills, not the local maintenance staff. If no backup power available for fans to maintain or increase pressure it may have dimpled and been damaged by internal structure such as goal post and then collapsed.

    6
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    Mute Patrick Newell
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    Jan 24th 2025, 2:32 PM

    And yet the dail is still standing……life aint fair at all

    9
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    Mute Annette Cooke
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    Jan 24th 2025, 12:47 PM

    Hope it’s gets fixed quickly for the locals. I also hope it will be stronger and better.

    8
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    Mute Jack
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    Jan 24th 2025, 3:04 PM

    Well I guess he meant the dome is completely destroyed, as the wider campus is fine, or nothing an aftermath clean up won’t sort.
    Questions should be asked why they chose a structure of its type ? there was kind of an inevitability about this situation.

    7
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    Mute Ádhamh Ó Nuanáin
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    Jan 24th 2025, 3:12 PM

    Will the architects/engineers be sued or will the tax payer need to foot the bill?

    6
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    Mute Darren Forde
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    Jan 24th 2025, 6:40 PM

    GAA awash with money id not worry to much

    6
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    Mute bernadette connaughton
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    Jan 24th 2025, 1:48 PM

    But sure of course it got destroyed a breeze would blow that thing away!!!

    4
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    Mute Gary Kearney
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    Jan 24th 2025, 8:23 PM

    It is not as bad as it looks, all the groundwork is fine and the pitch is more or less intact. The need a new done section installed.
    In Longford you can clearly see that the wall was badly designed and made!

    3
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    Mute Kevin O Brien
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    Jan 24th 2025, 3:25 PM

    Mayo never going to win Sam now

    3
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    Mute Brian Smith
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    Jan 24th 2025, 4:41 PM

    THE GAA SHOULD GET IN CONTACT WITH THEIR PATRON NAMELY THE ARCHBISHOP OF CASHEL FOR MONEY TO REPLACE THIS DOME.IT WILL SAVE INSURANCE COMPANIES IN PAYING OUT MONIES AS THE CATHOLIC CHURCH HAS AN INTEREST IN THE GAA.

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    Mute Desmond Lyons
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    Jan 24th 2025, 12:49 PM

    My yurt is just fine this morning!

    2
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    Mute William O leary
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    Jan 24th 2025, 8:28 PM

    who paid for it in the first place ..another gaa farce

    2
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