A 'WORLD CLASS' handball centre is to be built close to Dublin's Croke Park - ending a long-running dispute between the GAA and Irish Handball Council Sports Centre.
The GAA first attempted to have the existing handball and community centre, built in 1970, demolished in 1988.
The Irish Handball Council Sports Centre had been fighting against demolition until a deal, brokered by former taoiseach Bertie Ahern, was reached yesterday. As part of the deal, a new handball and community centre will be built. A new entrance to Croke Park will also be constructed.
The centre will be managed by a partnership arrangement between the GAA and the local community and handball centre members.
Mr Ahern, who lives in nearby Drumcondra, welcomed the end of the dispute.
"I am very pleased to have played a role in clearing the way for the renewal of a part of Ballybough that desperately needs it and in adding an important new mechanism for the GAA and the local community to work together," he said.
The All-Ireland 60 x 30 finals and semi-finals for 2016 will take place in the existing handball centre until the new centre is built.
GAA President Aogán Ó Fearghail said: "The GAA sees the arrangements agreed with Dublin City Council and the local handball community as an opportunity for the GAA to make a further major contribution to the improvement and renewal of the area surrounding Croke Park. We look forward to working closely with the local community in the new partnership arrangements".
Fintan Farrelly, Chairman of the Irish Handball Council Sports Centre, said he was pleased agreement had been reached.
"We are happy that the long running court case has been resolved. We now look forward to a harmonious relationship with the GAA that will be an enormous benefit to the local community and the handball community alike," he said.
