New High Performance Centre at Dunsilly 'will take Antrim GAA to the next level'

 SINN Féin’s South Antrim MLA, Declan Kearney has welcomed Antrim GAA’s new High Performance Centre at Dunsilly as a major investment in the future of Gaelic Games across the county.

He was speaking after the official opening of the facility - and he was impressed by what he saw.

“I was delighted to attend the official opening of Antrim GAA’s new state-of-the-art High-Performance Centre at Dunsilly, and to see first hand the range of facilities now available to support the continued development of sporting excellence among camógs, hurlers and footballers.

“This major £500K investment includes a fully equipped modern gym with eleven workstations, bikes and rowing machines. Combined with a spacious meeting room with an interactive TV and video analysis system, a physio room and fully fitted kitchen, the centre provides a unique, purpose-built facility designed to meet the physical and nutritional needs of the players.

“Despite the heavy financial commitment required to deliver this elite facility, it was funded entirely from within the GAA family, including contributions from Club Aontroma, Casement Social Club, Croke Park and Saffron Business Forum, one of the main fundraising wings of Antrim GAA.

“The new building is the latest addition to the Dunsilly Centre of Excellence site which has seen phenomenal expansion in provision for the GAA and Antrim Gaels since it first opened just seven years ago.

“While it is a landmark development in its own right, the centre is among the finest such facilities on the island of Ireland, and provides a new, strategic resource for Antrim GAA which will inspire and support coaches, staff and players to reach their highest potential in Gaelic Games. I hope it will also serve as another important incentive to finally achieve the full redevelopment and reopening of Casement Park.

“The new high-performance centre is further evidence that Antrim GAA has a bright future with a committed GAA family determined to support further success at all levels and across all codes. I am confident that it will contribute significantly to taking our county to the next level.”