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PLANS are underway to ensure Fitzgerald Stadium is well placed as a possible host venue for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

The stadium’s finance committee has launched a new development scheme in the lead-up to yet another Munster football final at the iconic Killarney venue.

The new scheme, the fourth of its kind, aims to further enhance facilities at the stadium on big match days, bringing it right into contention as a host venue for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

The current stadium capacity is 39,000 and it is fully compliant with all health and safety regulations.

Among the proposed enhancements to the stadium are the upgrading of the terraces, especially at the scoreboard end; upgrading of the seating in the covered stand; new shops, toilet facilities and access turnstiles at the St Finan’s side of the ground; and the addition of a floodlighting system.

Kerry County Board chairman Patrick O’Sullivan, who along with Kerry senior football manager Eamonn Fitzmaurice and Colm Foley, chairman of the Development Committee, launched the new scheme on Thursday, outlined the reasons for the launch of the latest development scheme. “We want to develop on the work ethic and commitment that has brought Fitzgerald Stadium to what it is today,” said Mr O’Sullivan.

“We want to go further and have a facility that will continue to be a symbol of Killarney’s ability as a venue that will match and compete with other centres of excellence.”

Mr O’Sullivan added: “It is the hope and determination of the stadium committee and the county committee to host the Rugby World Cup in 2023.”

The cost of the development scheme subscription is €1,000 per year for five years and the benefits of subscribing include two free stand tickets for Kerry/Cork Munster Championship games at the stadium as well as two free tickets for games held under the auspices of the Kerry County Committee at the stadium and two free tickets for an All-Ireland Final involving the Kerry senior team.

The stadium committee, under the chairmanship of Colm Foley, includes county committee chairman Patrick O’Sullivan, Pat O’Donoghue, Maurice O’Donoghue, Michael O’Donoghue, Conor Hennigan, Mike Buckley, Der Brosnan and Andy O’Sullivan.

 
At the launch of the Fitzgerald Stadium Development Scheme on Thursday evening were front from left, Eamonn Fitzmaurice (Kerry football manager), Patrick O'Sullivan (Kerry County Board Chairman), Colm Foley (Development Committee Chairman) and Der Brosnan (Fitzgerald Stadium Chairman). Back from left are Pat O'Donoghue, Mike Moynihan, Diarmuid O'Se, Maurice O'Donoghue, John C O'Shea, Micheal O'Donoghue, Tatyana McGough, Weeshie Lynch, Stephen O'Sullivan and Andy O'Sullivan. PICTURE: EAMONN KEOGH