Race to reopen Breffni Park for quarter-finals
Cavan’s GAA headquarters is facing a race against time with mounting hopes that Kingspan Breffni will reopen in time for the Senior Football Championship quarter-finals weekend.
A fire that started in the kitchen and caused significant damage to a portion of the stadium in the early hours of Friday, August 28 disrupted the fixture programme for that weekend, with alternative venues sourced at short notice.
With the Senior Championship quarter-finals scheduled to start Friday, September 18, the clock is now ticking to get the turnstiles open.
The last eight has been confirmed following the latest full round of Senior championship action where both Ramor and Mullahoran secured their places with thrilling victories over Castlerahan and Arva respectively (See p110-111 for reports).
The quarter-final draw resulted in Killygarry against Cuchulainns, Crosserlough versus Mullahoran, Gowna taking on Ramor United, and reigning champions Kingscourt Stars facing Cavan Gaels.
Which of those eagerly anticipated clashes will be played first remains unknown, with the matter still currently with the Competitions Control Committee, the body responsible for fixtures, scheduling and competition administration.
Cavan GAA confirmed that the kitchen was “completely damaged” by the fire, while the second floor - home to the Breffni Gallery, coaching offices and several other facilities - also suffered extensive smoke damage. The blaze also knocked out the electricity for the stadium, with water and gas also cut off until trained assessors could be brought in.
When matches eventually return, only the dressing rooms and referee rooms are expected to be operational, with the kitchen likely to remain out of action for three to four months.
Phased restoration
Meanwhile, the GAA are looking at a phased restoration of other facilities, and have been encouraged on that path by offers of goodwill from throughout the county and beyond to get Kingspan Breffni “back up and running”.
Cavan GAA Head of Operations Martin Cahill told the Celt that those offers were gratefully received.
“We want to acknowledge the goodwill of people, clubs, other county boards and tradesmen who have committed to helping us and who are helping us. The goodwill towards getting everything back up and running lifts you when you’re a little bit despondent.”