My Armagh Launched

Armagh County Board launched plans to develop a Centre of Excellence on Friday night.

The centre will have three natural grass pitches as well as a 3G pitch, with a circuit track and hill training provisions.

It is planned that the first three phases should cost £37,000, with a gym, fitness suites, physio and medical facilities as well as six changing rooms.

However, the Orchard County are at the early stages of fundraising as they haven’t yet found a location to build the centre.

The plans were announced as the county board launched My Armagh, a new Armagh supporters club.

The supporters club is designed to help raise £200,000 a year, which is the estimated cost of running the county board.

The senior, U21 and minor team cost the County Board £35,400 last season, while hurling teams cost £178,000.

My Armagh chairman Paul Kelly told the audience at the Armagh City Hotel that money is needed if Armagh are to build on the success’ of the last decade.

“We know what it takes. It is second nature to Armagh teams to prepare well to play well and to be at their best when the best is needed,” said Kelly.

“To do that we need to ensure the financial infrastructure is in place and through My Armagh we aim to place our supporters at the centre of our ambitions.

“Through My Armagh we will provide the infrastructure to build our strategy from the bottom up, involving every club and club member in the future of Armagh.”

Report: Newry Democrat