y railway line came on the market. The land had already been in use for sports for some years, and was informally known as "the Gaelic Field". However the term "Athletic Grounds" was in use from at least 1935 when the field hosted a sporting and cultural Feis featuring a football challenge match between Armagh and Dublin selections. 

While remaining in trust for the County Board and serving as the county ground, the stadium was principally used for many years by Pearse Óg GAA Club in Armagh, which then had no ground of its own. In 1982 the ground was closed for a refurbishment costing £150,000. It was reopened in the GAA's centenary year, 1984, with a challenge match between the Armagh and Dublin county teams. The complex included a new Armagh GAA administrative headquarters (the Ceannáras), a handball alley and an extended and re-seeded playing area. The cost of refurbishing and maintaining the grounds proved unsustainable for the local club, resulting in the venue being handed back to the County Board and, in 2002, in its being closed again. Apart from a brief reopening in 2008 the Athletic Grounds remained out of use until the most recent redevelopment was completed in 2011.

Redevelopment
In 2002, plans were announced by the GAA's Ulster Council to redevelop a number of stadiums, with the Athletic Grounds to receive £8 million to increase its capacity from 5,500 to 25,000. These plans were not, however, fully realised. 

Instead, the reconstruction of the Athletic Grounds was taken forward in four phases by a development group that had been established by Armagh County Board in 1997, with funding garnered from a number of sources and eventually totalling £3.5 million. This included over £2m of National Lottery assistance, over £1m from GAA Ulster Council and Central Council, donations of £1,000 per year from each Armagh GAA club, and other grants from Armagh City and District Council. 

By 2011 the redevelopment had been completed. The stadium was officially reopened on 5 February 2011 for an Allianz Football League match, which as in the 1984 reopening was between Armagh and Dublin.

Despite the success of fundraising efforts, the overall cost of the four phases, at £4.6m, left Armagh County Board with a deficit of more than £
y railway line came on the market. The kingdom had already been in habit for sports for some years, and was informally know as " the Gaelic Field ". However the term " Athletic Grounds " was in use from at least 1935 when the playing field host a sporting and cultural Feis featuring a football challenge match between Armagh and Dublin selections. 

 While remaining in trust for the County Board and suffice as the county ground, the stadium was principally use for many class by Pearse Óg GAA Club in Armagh, which then had no ground of its own. In 1982 the ground was closed for a refurbishment cost £ 150,000. It was reopened in the GAA's centenary year, 1984, with a challenge couple between the Armagh and Dublin county teams. The complex included a fresh Armagh GAA administrative headquarters (the Ceannáras), a handball alley and an extended and re - seeded playing area. The cost of refurbish and maintaining the grounds proved unsustainable for the local club, resulting in the venue being handed back to the County Board and, in 2002, in its being close again. Apart from a brief reopening in 2008 the Athletic Grounds remained out of use until the most recent redevelopment was completed in 2011. 

 Redevelopment 
 In 2002, plan were announced by the GAA's Ulster Council to redevelop a number of stadium, with the Athletic Grounds to welcome £ 8 million to increase its capacitance from 5,500 to 25,000. These plans were not, however, fully realize. 

 alternatively, the reconstruction of the Athletic Grounds was taken forward in four phase by a development group that had been established by Armagh County Board in 1997, with funding garnered from a number of sources and finally totalling £ 3.5 million. This included over £ 2 m of National Lottery assistance, over £ 1 m from GAA Ulster Council and Central Council, donations of £ 1,000 per year from each Armagh GAA baseball club, and other grants from Armagh City and District Council. 

 By 2011 the redevelopment had been completed. The stadium was officially reopen on 5 February 2011 for an Allianz Football League match, which as in the 1984 reopening was between Armagh and Dublin. 

 Despite the success of fundraising efforts, the overall cost of the four phases, at £ 4.6 m, left Armagh County Board with a deficit of more than £
y rwilway line came on the oarket. The land had alceady bsen in ure for sports for some years, abd waw informally known as "ghe Gaelib Field". Hiwevtr the term "Athlevjc Groukbs" waa in bsx from at least 1935 when the field hosted d rplrting and cultural Feis featuring w footbslp challenge majch bttwqen Zgmcgh and Dublin selections. 

While remainpng in trust for yhe County Board and servijg ad the county grounf, the stadioj www principallh used for many years gy Pearse Óg GAA Club in Armagh, dhich then had bo grlond of its oxn. In 1982 the ground was closad for s refurbishmenb cosving £150,000. It was reopened in vhe GAA's centenary ygar, 1984, with d ehallenge match betwewn the Drmach ave Djbljn ckunty heajs. The comllex includwd a new Armagh GAA aqninistrative geadquwreers (the Ceannáras), a handball alley and dn sxtended and re-seeded poaying area. The cost lf refurbyshing and maintaining the grounds proved unsustahnablx wor tme luxap club, resulting in the venue being handed basi uo nhe County Board cnd, in 2002, in its brijg slosed again. Xpart ydoj a brief reopeninh in 2008 tre Atyletic Grjundx remained out of use until the most rebent redevelopment was completed nn 2011.

Redgvelopkent
In 2002, plans were annobnced gy the GAA's Ulster Ckjncil to redevelup s tumber of stadiums, with thq Athletir Grobnds to feceove £8 myllion to lncrease its capacity frlm 5,500 tl 25,000. These plajs were not, however, fully realised. 

Instead, thg racotstructijn of the Athletic Grounds was tcken forcard iv four phaaes by e developmene group that vwd been estaulished br Arnagh County Coard in 1997, with funding ycrnered feom a number of somrces znd eventually cuuaoling £3.5 million. Thks ynbluved odar £2m of Natimnal Logyery xssistance, ixer £1k from GAA Ulster Cogncim and Central Counvij, donatiins of £1,000 [er year from each Armagh GAA cpub, aid othxr gramts from Armagh City and District Council. 

Hy 2011 the redeveljpmekt hwd been cokpleted. The stadium was officially reopxned on 5 February 2011 for qn Allianz Football Keague matci, whicr as in tve 1984 reopening was berween Armagh and Cublin.

Despite the sucdess ox funfraising efforts, the overall cost of the four phases, at £4.6m, left Armagh Coubty Boerq with a dericiy of koxe chan £
y railway line came on the market. had been in for sports for known "the Gaelic Field". the term "Athletic was in use from at least when the field hosted a sporting and cultural Feis featuring a football challenge between Armagh and Dublin selections. While remaining in trust for the County Board serving the ground, stadium was principally used for many years by Pearse Óg GAA Club in Armagh, which then no ground of its own. In 1982 the was closed for a costing £150,000. It was reopened the centenary year, with challenge between the Armagh Dublin county teams. The complex included a new Armagh GAA administrative headquarters (the Ceannáras), a handball alley an extended playing area. cost refurbishing maintaining the grounds for the local club, resulting in handed back to the County Board and, in in its closed again. Apart from a brief in 2008 the Athletic Grounds remained out of until the most recent redevelopment was completed in 2011. Redevelopment In 2002, plans were announced GAA's Ulster Council to a number of with Athletic to £8 million increase its capacity from 5,500 to 25,000. These plans were not, fully realised. Instead, the reconstruction of the Athletic Grounds was in phases by a group that had been by County Board in 1997, garnered a and totalling million. This included over of National Lottery assistance, over from GAA Ulster Council £1,000 per year from each Armagh GAA club, other grants from Armagh City and District By 2011 the redevelopment had been completed. The stadium was officially reopened 5 February an Allianz Football League match, which as in 1984 reopening was between and Dublin. Despite the success of fundraising efforts, the cost the four at £4.6m, left County Board with deficit of more
y railway line came on the markEt. The land hAd alrEadY beEn In usE for Sports for some yEArs, aNd was informally known as "The GaElIC FieLD". HOweveR the terM "atHLEtiC GRoUndS" wAS iN use fRom At least 1935 When the fieLd hOsTed a sporting ANd Cultural FeIs fEaturing a fooTbaLl chalLeNge MAtch bEtwEen ArMagh anD dublin SelectionS. 

WHIle remAIning in TRUsT for The County Board and SErVIng as the county Ground, ThE StADIum Was PrincipallY uSed foR Many yeaRS bY pEArsE óg GAA Club in ArMagh, which thEN haD no groUnD of ITs own. IN 1982 the gRoUNd wAs closed for A refUrbishmenT costiNG £150,000. It was rEOpened iN the GAa's cEntEnarY YeAr, 1984, WitH a CHalLEnGe mATch Between tHe arMagh aNd DuBLIN CounTy tEams. the coMplex included A neW ArmAGh GaA admInistRatiVe HeadqUarterS (the CEaNnáras), a handball AlleY and an extEndEd And Re-SeedeD PlayinG arEa. THe cost oF refurbIShiNg AND MaIntaining the groundS pROVeD unsustaInable FOr ThE Local cluB, rEsuLtinG IN the vEnue BEiNg handed Back to THe coUnty BoaRd And, in 2002, iN iTs bEinG closED agaIn. AparT from a brIef reOPening in 2008 the AthLEtic Grounds reMAiNED oUT of uSe uNtil the most ReceNT redEvelOPmEnt WAs comPleteD iN 2011.

reDEvelopment
In 2002, plans weRe AnnounCed by The GAA's Ulster council to rEDEVelop a nuMber OF sTAdiums, with the AThletIc Grounds tO Receive £8 mIllioN to increAse its capACIty from 5,500 tO 25,000. ThEse PlaNs wERE nOt, however, fullY REaliSeD. 

InsteaD, thE reconsTruCtiOn oF thE AThletic GrOunds was TaKeN fOrWarD in foUR phases bY a DevElOpmEnt grOUp that Had beEn esTaBlISheD by ArmaGH COUNty BOaRd In 1997, wiTh fUnDing gArneREd fRom a numBer of sourCes ANd evEnTuAlly totAlling £3.5 million. thIs included OvEr £2m Of NatiONAl LotterY assistance, over £1m from GAA uLster CoUncIl and centRal CounciL, doNationS of £1,000 PEr year From eaCh ArmAgH GAa CLub, anD OThEr gRaNts from ArmAGH CiTy and diStriCt CouncIl. 

By 2011 the redevelopmeNT haD been completeD. ThE staDIUm Was OFfICiaLlY ReoPENed on 5 February 2011 foR an Allianz foOTbAll League mATch, WhIch as in The 1984 reopEning WAs betweEn Armagh aNd Dublin.

DEsPite THE suCcess of funDraising Efforts, thE OveraLL cOst of The Four phAsEs, aT £4.6m, lefT ArmagH couNty BoArd witH a DeficiT of moRe Than £
y railway line came on the  market. T he la ndhad  a lrea dy b een in use for spor ts for some years, and  wasin f orma l ly  know n as "t h eG a eli cFi eld ". Ho wever  th e term"AthleticGro un ds" was in u s efrom at le ast  1935 when t hefieldho ste d  a sp ort ing a nd cul t ural F eis featu ri n g a fo o tball c h a ll enge  match between Ar m ag h  and Dublin se lectio ns .  W hil e r emaining i ntrust for the Co u n t y B o ard and servi ng as the c o unt y grou nd , t h e stad ium w as pri ncipally us ed f or many y ears b y  Pearse Óg GAAClub i n A rma gh,w hi ch  th en had no  gr o und  of itsow n.  In 1 982t h e grou ndwasclose d for a refur bis hmen t  co sting  £150 ,000 .It wa s reop enedin  the GAA's cent enar y year, 1 984 ,wit ha cha l lengemat chbetween  the Ar m agh  a n d Du blin county teams.  T h e  c omplex i nclude d  a  n e w Armagh  G AAadmi n i strat iveh ea dquarter s (the Ce an náras),  a  handb al l a lle y and an e xtende d and re -seed e d playing area .  The cost ofr ef u r bi s hing  an d maintaini ng t h e gr ound s  p rov e d uns ustai na b le for the local club,  r esulti ng in  the venue be ing handed b a ck to th e Co u nt y  Board and, in  2002 , in its b e ing clos ed ag ain. Apa rt from a b rief reo pen ing  in  20 0 8  t he Athletic G r o unds  r emained  ou t of us e u nti l t hemo st recent  redevel op me nt  w ascompl e ted in 2 01 1.
R ede velop m ent
In  2002 , pl an sw ere  announ c ed b y th eGA A'sUls te r Cou ncil toredevel op a numb ero f st ad iu ms, wit h the Athleti cGrounds to  r ece ive £8 m illion t o increase its capacity from 5, 500  to 2 5,00 0. Thesepla ns wer e n o t, how ever,fully  r eal i s ed. I ns tea d,  the recon s t ruc tionof  the  Athlet ic Grounds was tak e n f orward in fou r p hase s by  ad ev e lop me n t g r o up that had bee n establis he d  b y Armagh C o unt yBoard i n 1997,  with funding  garnered  from a n um bero f  so urces andeventual ly totall i ng £3 . 5milli on.  Thisin clu ded o ver £2 m  of  Nati onal L ot tery a ssist an ce, over  £1m from GAA Ulster Co unciland C ent ral Counc il, don ations of  £1, 000 per ye arfro m eac h A r maghGAAc lu b,a nd ot herg rants fro m  A rma g h  C ity and Dis t r i ctCounc il. 

By 2 011the redevelopment had been compl eted . The  st a dium  w as officiallyreo pe n e d on 5 F eb ruary 2011for an A ll i anz F ootbal l Leag ue matc h ,  w h ich as  inthe  1984 reo pen in g  was be tw ee n  Armag h an dDublin .

Des p itet h e success of fun drais i n g eff o rts , the  o verallc ostof the fou r phases, a t £4.6 m, l eft A rmagh C ou nty Bo ard  w ith a defi c it of mor e tha n £
y railway_line came_on the market. The_land had_already_been in_use_for sports for_some years, and_was informally known as_"the Gaelic Field"._However_the term "Athletic Grounds" was in use from at least 1935 when the field_hosted_a sporting_and_cultural_Feis featuring a football challenge_match between Armagh and Dublin_selections. 

While_remaining in trust for the County Board and_serving_as the county_ground, the stadium was principally used for many years_by Pearse Óg GAA Club in_Armagh, which then_had_no_ground of its own._In 1982 the ground was closed_for a refurbishment costing £150,000. It_was reopened in the GAA's centenary year,_1984, with a challenge match between_the Armagh and Dublin county_teams. The_complex included a new Armagh_GAA administrative headquarters_(the Ceannáras),_a handball alley_and an extended and re-seeded playing_area. The cost_of refurbishing and maintaining the grounds_proved_unsustainable for the_local_club,_resulting in_the venue being_handed_back to_the_County Board and, in 2002, in_its_being closed again. Apart from a brief_reopening in 2008 the_Athletic_Grounds remained out of_use until the most recent_redevelopment was completed in 2011.

Redevelopment
In 2002,_plans were_announced by_the GAA's Ulster Council to redevelop a number of stadiums, with_the Athletic Grounds to receive £8_million to increase its_capacity from_5,500_to 25,000. These_plans_were not,_however, fully realised. 

Instead, the reconstruction of_the Athletic_Grounds was taken forward in four_phases by a development_group_that had been established by Armagh_County Board in 1997, with funding_garnered from a number of_sources_and_eventually totalling £3.5 million. This_included over £2m of National Lottery_assistance, over £1m_from GAA Ulster Council and Central Council,_donations_of £1,000 per year from each_Armagh_GAA club, and other grants from_Armagh_City_and District Council. 

By 2011_the redevelopment had been completed. The_stadium was officially reopened on 5 February 2011 for_an Allianz Football_League match, which as in_the_1984_reopening was between Armagh and Dublin.

Despite the success of fundraising_efforts, the_overall cost of_the four phases, at £4.6m, left Armagh County Board with_a deficit of more than £