Huge expansion plans lodged for Tipperary GAA’s Thurles training base
Three new pitches, two hurling walls, floodlights and expanded training facilities form part of ambitious plans for a new Centre of Excellence in Thurles
Tipperary GAA have lodged plans for a major expansion of Coolmore Morris Park in Thurles as part of the development of a new Centre of Excellence for Gaelic games in the county.
The proposed development would significantly increase the facilities available at the county training base, with three new grass playing pitches among the centrepieces of the plans.
The application, received on September 17, is the latest move following the announcement in November 2025 that businessman John Magnier had gifted 14 acres of land to Tipperary GAA to facilitate the expansion of the existing complex and the creation of a new state-of-the-art Centre of Excellence.
The land was formally gifted to the county board at Coolmore Stud, with Tipperary GAA describing the acquisition at the time as a "transformative milestone" for Gaelic games in the county.
Tipperary GAA said the expanded facility would cater not only for the county's elite teams but also for the thousands of young players involved in Gaelic games throughout Tipperary.
The planning application now provides considerably more detail on what Tipperary GAA intend to develop at the expanded site.
Three new grass pitches are proposed, along with supporting ball-stop netting, a sprinkler irrigation system, an associated well and water storage tanks.
Floodlighting would also be installed as part of the development, supported by an associated diesel generator and diesel storage tank.
The plans also provide for the demolition of the existing hurling wall at Coolmore Morris Park and the construction of two new hurling walls.
An all-weather track and additional training areas are included in what would represent a substantial enhancement of the facilities available to Tipperary teams.
Significant changes are also proposed to access and movement around the site.
Two existing entrances from Childers Park Road would be upgraded, with the works including the demolition of sections of the boundary wall and the northern entrance kiosk.
The entrances would be widened and new gated vehicular and pedestrian access points provided, along with new facility signage.
Internally, the layout of Coolmore Morris Park would be extended and reconfigured, with changes to both vehicular and pedestrian circulation.
A new campus walkway is proposed, while the application includes new parking facilities for buses, cars, motorcycles and bicycles.
A range of associated site works also form part of the proposals, including landscaping, biodiversity enhancement areas, new boundary treatments, lighting and surface water drainage infrastructure.
When announcing the land gift last November, Tipperary GAA said the expansion would provide additional pitches and leading-edge training facilities and would create a modern environment for players at all levels.
The county board said it envisaged the Centre of Excellence becoming a hub for participation and development across Tipperary.
The application is currently at the pre-validation stage of the planning process.