PICTURES: Kildare GAA's new state-of-the-art stadium opening attended by thousands of fans

The newly redeveloped Cedral St. Conleth’s GAA Stadium officially opened in Newbridge, Co. Kildare over the Bank Holiday weekend, hosting the highly anticipated Joe Mallon Motor’s Kildare Senior Football Championship Final where Naas triumphed over Celbridge in a thrilling finish.

This milestone moment saw thousands of fans gather at the modernised stadium, which stands as a symbol of pride for Kildare GAA and a dynamic venue for Newbridge, promising to draw in sports tourism, bolster local businesses, and invigorate the community.

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The redevelopment of Cedral St. Conleth’s Park, a €18 million project that took 18 months to complete, was led by Kildare GAA, whose team of volunteers, alongside Donnacha O'Brien Engineers, Eliotts Construction, and the title sponsor Cedral, transformed the venue into a state-of-the-art sports hub.

Jarlath Burns, President of the GAA, officially cut the ribbon to mark the opening of the new stadium and said, “This is an incredible day for Cedral St. Conleth’s Park and we gather here today with joy, pride and anticipation. 

“I reflect too on St. Conleth himself who was a metal worker for St. Brigid and today we can also see the fantastic metal work that forms part of the construction of this stadium.” 

He also paid tribute to the supporters and said, “Kildare fans are special they wear the white with pride.  This stadium will mark many special occasions where friendship and rivalries alike will be forged. “The work”, he said “is only beginning, we need to see every seat filled and young boys and girls enjoying Gaelic games here for generations to come. “

The new stadium includes a 3,000-seat stand offering optimal views and upgraded facilities, designed to enhance the experience for spectators and players alike. The stadium now features enlarged dressing rooms, advanced lighting, a modern scoreboard, and an expanded pitch that meets the highest standards, making it a premier Gaelic games venue in Leinster.