Irish FA announces National Training Centre at Galgorm

A concept image of the proposed site at Galgorm was released by the Irish FA on Wednesday

The Irish Football Association has confirmed that its new "state-of-the-art" National Training Centre will be located next to the Galgorm Resort, just outside Ballymena.

In a press release issued on Wednesday, the IFA said the facility - which is expected to open in 2028 - will "feature world-class pitches and cutting edge training facilities".

The announcement brings to an end a lengthy period of speculation about potential venues for the venture.

The IFA had considered basing the centre in Antrim, but said that "no formal arrangements were ever agreed" for the development of a 60-acre site in the Birch Hill area.

Last month a spokesperson for the IFA told BBC News NI: "The council were clear at all times that Birch Hill Road was under strategic consideration along with several other locations, and that exploratory discussions about the site were at preliminary stages.

"No formal arrangements were ever agreed and we maintain an excellent relationship with Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council."

The IFA said on Wednesday: "A range of potential opportunities were explored across the country and, following a comprehensive review of all the options, Galgorm was chosen as the most compelling, best-fit opportunity to develop the facility."

Irish FA president Conrad Kirkwood said: "Realising this project will significantly benefit our teams and players, creating an impressive football campus and leaving a lasting legacy for future generations.

"We anticipate the National Football Centre being a bespoke, world-class facility with a distinct Northern Ireland identity, serving players of all ages, both male and female, while also benefiting the local community and grassroots football."

Irish FA chief executive Patrick Nelson said the project is the "result of significant strategic thinking".

"We have been able to amass capital funding over a long period to make this vision a reality, and we look forward to working with our partners at Galgorm in the coming years," added Nelson.

Northern Ireland men's team manager Michael O'Neill said the centre will help the country's international teams prepare for games "better than ever".

"It will also inspire our future international stars on their journey in football from a young age," said O'Neill.

"High-quality pitches where coaches and players can work are essential for creating a high performance environment and strong identity across all age groups."

Northern Ireland women's manager Tanya Oxtoby said: "This initiative reaffirms our commitment to developing top-tier facilities and resources for our players.

"It strengthens our culture of excellence and high performance."

Gary McAllister, chairman of the Amalgamation of Official Northern Ireland Supporters' Clubs [AONISC], said "most fans will welcome the announcement".

"A first-class facility for current and future generations of Northern Ireland footballers is something every Northern Ireland fan should welcome," said McAllister.

"It's essential now that the project continues to make progress to be ready ahead of the target date of Euro 2028.

"Let's now see the investment in football facilities across the country from all levels of government and other stakeholders that our game has waited on for so long."

'A step in the right direction' - analysis

Stephen Watson, BBC Sport NI lead presenter

This is exciting news for Northern Ireland's national team managers Michael O'Neill and Tanya Oxtoby, who often hold their training camps in England, due to lack of facilities back at home.

Remember O'Neill opted to hold his pre-Euro 2016 training camp in Carton House in Dublin, so this facility has been a long time coming.

The home for this new facility will be at one of Northern Ireland's luxury hotel and spas - the Galgorm Resort. Their business is expanding and they have recently acquired the Roe Park golf resort in Limavady and Galgorm castle estate for £28m.

Planning permission is still sought but it's my understanding that two training pitches will be built, and this may help attract an international team to use the facilities for a Euro 2028 training base - if Northern Ireland don't qualify.

There are lots of unanswered questions about how this will work, and how much funding the Stormont Executive will provide, but it's certainly a step in the right direction for international football in Northern Ireland.