Waterford are on the lookout for an alternative home venue with the redevelopment of Walsh Park now underway.
The work means that the ground will not be in a position to host Allianz Hurling League and Munster Championship games this year, with the county board currently in talks with Croke Park and the Munster Council around where their home fixtures can be accommodated.
Phase 1 of the redevelopment will see an uncovered seated area installed where the current Northern Terrace currently stands, while the Southern Stand will be refurbished.
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There are a further two phases which will be rolled out in the next couple of years, with the entire project expected to cost around €12m.
A Waterford statement read: “Waterford GAA are delighted to announce that the Phase 1 Redevelopment of Walsh Park has commenced. Following extensive discussions with the contractors and in order to meet the strict requirements of the six-month work programme, Walsh Park will not be available to host the scheduled inter-county games.
“Waterford GAA are currently in negotiations with Croke Park and the Munster Council regarding alternative venues for the Allianz Hurling League and Munster Championship games and the details will be advised in due course.
“It is the intention that Walsh Park will be available to host Waterford GAA Club Championship games from July.”
Waterford were due to open their Allianz Hurling League campaign at Walsh Park against Dublin on February 5 and were to have further home games against Antrim and Kilkenny, while Limerick and Clare were to come to the Waterford city venue in the Championship.
Waterford footballers play the bulk of their home games in Fraher Field in Dungarvan though that ground would be considered too small to cope with most inter-county hurling fixtures and their Championship games will most likely revert to Semple Stadium, while Kilkenny’s Nowlan Park may be an option for League fixtures.
In 2018, Walsh Park was deemed unfit to host Waterford’s Munster round robin home games against Tipperary and Cork, which were played in Limerick and Thurles respectively.
But Waterford fought successfully to have home games in the 2019 round robin series and again when the format was restored last year after the pandemic but have only recorded one win - last year’s Championship opener against Tipperary - from four Championship games at Walsh Park and their League record at the venue isn’t particularly formidable either.
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