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Hurling

Six of the best inter-county grounds in Ireland

While the likes of Croke Park and Páirc Uí Chaoimh may have the biggest capacities in the GAA,...



Six of the best inter-county g...
Hurling

Six of the best inter-county grounds in Ireland

While the likes of Croke Park and Páirc Uí Chaoimh may have the biggest capacities in the GAA, there are plenty of other grounds across the country which have atmospheres like no other. 

Before any debate starts, this is by no means a definitive list and it is just a taste of what is out there. You can always give your own input as to what the best GAA grounds are around the country. Without further ado, here are six of the best inter-county grounds in Ireland.

1. Innovate Wexford Park 


Photo Credit ©INPHO/Ken Sutton

With a capacity of 25,000, Wexford Innovate Park is one of those classic inter-county grounds that places the spectators close to the pitch. Because of this, it is one of the nosiest grounds around and there was no better exponent of this than the Leinster Hurling semi-final between Wexford vs Kilkenny.

On a scorching day down in the sunny south east, the crowd were treated to a brilliant display of hurling which ultimately ended in a draw 0-21 to 1-18. At the final whistle, both teams were unsure whether they had gotten through but as news came in that Galway had lost to Dublin, Innovate Wexford Park erupted.

 

2. St. Tiernach's Park, Monaghan 


Photo Credit: ©INPHO/Tommy Dickson

There is a reason that St. Tiernach's Park in Clones, Co. Monaghan regularly hosts the final of the Ulster Football Championship. With a capacity of around 36,000 it is the biggest ground in Ulster with Casement Park in Belfast currently being redeveloped.

It has hosted some classic Ulster championship games over the years and this year it was the venue for two Ulster semi-final games between Cavan and Armagh. Both teams couldn't be separated after the extra time in the first game which finished 1-17 to 1-14. Cavan came out on top in the replay though with a score of 0-23 to 0-17.

3. Fitzgerald Stadium, Kerry 


Photo Credit: ©INPHO/James Crombie

Opened back in 1936, Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney is the crown jewel of Kerry GAA with a capacity of 36,000. It has hosted numerous Munster championship games down through the years as well crunch All-Ireland knockout games.

This year it hosted a cracking encounter between Kerry and Mayo in the Super 8s. Paul Geaney scored 1-2 for the kingdom on a day that Kerry showcased that they were serious All-Ireland contenders.

4. Semple Stadium, Tipperary 

Photo Credit: ©INPHO/Ken Sutton

Put simply, Semple Stadium in Thurles, Co.Tipperay is the crucible of hurling in Ireland. With a capacity of close to 46,000, it has been the venue for classic encounters down through the years.

It regularly hosts the Munster Hurling Final and this year it played host to a Munster championship round five game between Tipperary and Limerick. Despite losing to Limerick in the Munster final a few weeks later, Tipperary beat Limerick at Semple Stadium by 1-22 to 0-21.

 

5. Dr. Hyde Park, Roscommon 

Photo Credit: ©INPHO/Evan Logan

Despite having a capacity of only 25,000, Dr. Hyde Park in Roscommon is one of the most raucous GAA grounds in the country. It is usually packed to the brim on matchday and with the success of the Roscommon football team in recent years, it has been the venue for their Connacht championship homecomings.

Last year it was the venue for a cracking Connacht football final as Galway edged out hosts Roscommon with a score of 2-6 to 0-16.

6. Nowlan Park, Kilkenny 


Photo Credit: ©INPHO/Ken Sutton

Finally, we have Nowlan Park in Kilkenny which is one of the older stadiums on the list having opened back in 1927. It's been the venue for a number of classic Leinster hurling championship games down through the years.

This year it hosted an epic clash between Kilkenny and Galway in round four of the Leinster Hurling Championship. The visitors would end up winning a nail-biting game 2-29 to 3-20.

If you look at a text when you are driving on the motorway, you can travel the distance of three GAA pitches.

The Gaelic Player's Association (GPA) is partnered with the Road Safety Authority (RSA) to encourage anyone who is driving to matches this summer to "switch off before you drive off."

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