Corrigan Park

Corrigan Park is a Gaelic games ground on the Whiterock Road in west Belfast that served as the main venue for GAA in Belfast until the opening of Casement Park in 1953. It is named in honour of Sean Corrigan, mentor of the Brian Óg club who were Antrim's first hurling champions. In 2021 following extensive renovations which included the construction of a 600-seat stand and terracing, the capacity of the park increased from 2,100 to 3,700.[1][3][2]

Corrigan Park
Pairc Uí Chorragáin
Corrigan Park is located in Greater Belfast
Corrigan Park
Corrigan Park
Location within Greater Belfast
AddressWhiterock Road, Belfast
LocationNorthern Ireland
Coordinates54.592369°N 5.977364°W / 54.592369; -5.977364
OwnerSt John's
Capacity2,100 (2021)
3,700 (600 seated) (2021–present)[1][2]
SurfaceGrass
Construction
Broke ground1926
Opened1927
Renovated2001
2020–2021
Expanded2020–2021
Tenants
Antrim GAA

Current

It is home to the St John's club. It regularly hosts Ulster club[4] and colleges matches at second[5] and third[6] level.

History

Hurling

Corrigan Park was associated with the run of the Antrim hurling team to the final of the 1943 All-Ireland championship, Corrigan Park staged the quarter-final in which Antrim beat Galway and the semi-final in which Antrim beat Kilkenny, both unexpected results at the time. Its tight, confined space was regarded as being advantageous to the home side in those matches.[7]

Football

Among the major football championship matches it staged were the Cavan-Antrim Ulster championship semi-finals of 1930, 1931 and 1949. Its last major provincial football championship match was Antrim v Donegal in the Ulster championship of 1952.

However, Corrigan Park hosted Antrim's Round 2 Qualifier defeat to Kildare in the 2019 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship.[8]

Camogie

Corrigan Park staged the All Ireland Camogie finals of 1944, 1946, and 1947, two of which were won by Antrim, and also several of Antrim's semi-finals. It became known as the home of camogie during this period.[9]

References
  1. "GPA back Antrim's bid to play Ulster tie against Cavan at Corrigan Park". the42. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  2. "West Belfast GAA club to unveil new 2,600-capacity stand". belfast telegraph. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  3. "Antrim left waiting over their right to play at Corrigan Park". Irish Times. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
  4. 1998 Oct 12 McConville Goals Decisive
  5. 1991 Ulster colleges final
  6. Sigerson 2004 Queen's Univ 1-7 Sligo IT report
  7. Corry, Eoghan (2005). Illustrated History of the GAA. Dublin, Ireland: Gill & MacMillan. p. 250.
  8. All-Ireland qualifiers: Antrim crash out to Kildare in second round at Corrigan Park. BBC Sport. 22 June 2019.
  9. The Evolution of the GAA by Donal McAnallen (Ulster Historical Foundation 2009) ISBN 978-1-903688-83-0
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