Leitrim, for whom Keith Beirne was on form with nine points in all, drew level before half-time, with matters finely balanced at 1-10 apiece. His fifth-minute goal was later cancelled out by LeitrimвЂ™s Darragh Rooney. Sligo had the greater firepower and an attacking jewel in Niall Murphy, who scored 1-10. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/SportsfileДЄs for the game itself, a preliminary round of the FBD Connacht GAA Senior Football League, matters were fast-paced, with little time for ponderous play. There is that вЂwowвЂ™ factor when people come into the dome for the first time.вЂќД®van Lyons of Sligo in action against Darragh Rooney of Leitrim during the Connacht FBD League Preliminary Round match between Leitrim and Sligo at the NUI Galway Connacht GAA Air Dome in Bekan, Mayo. вЂњWeвЂ™re in the centre of the province so it is good for everyone involved in the GAA in Connacht.

We are the first to do this and I think others will follow. вЂњEveryone has been very supportive of whatвЂ™ve we done here. John Prenty, Connacht GAAвЂ™s long-serving administrator and driving force, agrees. Making GAA games possible 24/7, all year round came at a price of в‚¬3.1m and there are also the day-to-day running costs for this innovative project. With a roof height of 26 metres (twice the height of the goalposts), thereвЂ™s no danger of either a sliotar or a football kissing the ceiling вЂ“ even if Connacht GAA offered a prize for this impossible test. It looms overhead, keeping the west of Ireland weather out. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/SportsfileДЄside from the constant background hum of the technology that keeps the structure inflated, the white, curved ceiling of this spaceship-esque stage takes a while getting used to. ThereвЂ™s no wind here either so no excuses about teams not using the conditions to their advantage.Д¬illian McGloin of Leitrim kicks a point during the Connacht FBD League Preliminary Round match between Leitrim and Sligo at the NUI Galway Connacht GAA Air Dome in Bekan, Mayo. Given the dayвЂ™s weather conditions, typical for January, the temperature-controlled arena was a haven for the players, limited crowd (due to Covid restrictions), and media. In non-Covid times, thereвЂ™s scope for a matchday crowd of at least 2,000 and when the air dome is used to host conferences, corporate events, or concerts, an attendance of 10,000+ can be accommodated (a mixture of patrons seated and standing). The Leitrim team before the Connacht FBD League Preliminary Round match between Leitrim and Sligo at the NUI Galway Connacht GAA Air Dome in Bekan, Mayo. It also features a running track and a fully-equipped gym. Part of the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence at a venue situated between Knock and Ballyhaunis, the air dome вЂ“ now officially called the NUI Galway Connacht Air Dome following a recent partnership between Connacht GAA and the third level educational institution вЂ“ it has become the centrepiece.Д®ssentially a full-sized GAA astroturf pitch that is covered by an air-inflated dome, the pitch size is equivalent to that of Elverys MacHale Park. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/SportsfileДЄstonishing seems inadequate when describing an amenity that involved the expertise of DBS Engineering (a company based in Slovenia), SIS Pitches, Prunty Pitches, and Tobin Engineering. This is the future of indoor facilities вЂ“ not just for the GAA but for all sports in the country.Д¬onnacht GAAвЂ™s air dome, the largest indoor sports facility of its type in the world, hosted the first-ever GAA inter-county fixture indoors on Monday at Bekan.Д«efore a ball was kicked between Sligo and Leitrim, the first counties to experience this futuristic setting, we were wowed.ДЄ general view of action during the Connacht FBD League Preliminary Round match between Leitrim and Sligo at the NUI Galway Connacht GAA Air Dome in Bekan, Mayo.

Things between sligo and galway