Galway to debut new Pearse Stadium floodlights in Allianz League opener

Galway could debut Pearse Stadium’s new floodlights with an Allianz League opening Division 1 double-header against All-Ireland senior hurling and football champions Clare and Armagh in late January.

The provisional fixtures for the forthcoming leagues are currently being issued by the Central Competitions Control Committee. Cork’s hurlers are set to open their Division 1 campaign away to Wexford. Kerry's footballers, meanwhile, will start against Donegal in Killarney. Their other two games will be attractive ones under lights in Austin Stack Park against Armagh and Dublin.

Galway are hoping they can launch the latest addition to the Salthill venue with by hosting The Banner and The Orchard County, the football game a repeat of this year’s All-Ireland final. Next year's football and hurling competitions are due to commence on January 25 and 26.

Galway’s senior hurling final between Cappataggle and Loughrea takes place in Athenry’s Kenny Park this Sunday as work continues to install the floodlights at Pearse Stadium.

For the same reason, last month’s Corofin-Maigh Cuilinn SFC final was switched to Tuam Stadium but it is expected the venue will be ready in plenty of time for the national leagues.

Galway’s Cein Darcy scores against Derry at Pearse Stadium in front of a packed stand.

In September, the Government announced Galway would receive €350,000 in sports capital funding towards their build. The Galway County Council have also contributed to the initiative. It is believed the total cost is in excess of €1 million.

Speaking in September, Galway chairman Paul Bellew said: “It’s only right that we do have it for a county of our size but obviously there have been factors in the past that we can’t control.

“Our ambition is the lights will be up by Christmas, active by early January. We will be looking to have league games (under lights) both hurling and football in the stadium.

“It would be great to get night-time games in Salthill to bring people along and atmosphere. The facts back up that you’re going to have 30% to 35% more of a crowd for a Saturday evening game than a Sunday afternoon. We have seen that ourselves when we’ve gone to Cork and Limerick and gone to play Mayo in football.” The installation of the floodlights will end a lengthy process after planning permission was initially granted in 2014. By order, because the stadium is in a highly residential area they can only be used 12 times a year with a 10pm cut-off and between October and March and strictly for matches.

In 2006, temporary lights were put in place for the International Rules game between Ireland and Australia.

Click here to read article