{{Short description|Sports ground in Antrim}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Use Hiberno-English|date=June 2019}} {{Infobox venue | name = Corrigan Park | nickname = | native_name = ''Pairc Uí Chorragáin'' | native_name_lang = Irish | fullname = | former_names = | logo_image = | logo_caption = | image = | image_size = | image_alt = | caption = | pushpin_map = United Kingdom Greater Belfast | pushpin_mapsize = | pushpin_map_caption = | pushpin_label_position = | pushpin_relief = | address = Whiterock Road, Belfast | location = Northern Ireland | coordinates = {{coord|54.59237|-5.97736|region:GB_type:landmark|display=inline,title}} | type = | event = | built = | opened = 12 September 1926 | renovated = 2001 <br /> 2020–2021 | expanded = 2020–2021 | closed = | demolished = | owner = St John's | operator = | surface = Grass | scoreboard = | production = | cost = | architect = | builder = | project_manager = | structural_engineer = | services_engineer = | general_contractor = | main_contractors = | seating_type = | capacity = 2,100 (2021) <br /> 3,700 (600 seated) (2021–present)<ref name="Corrigan new capacity">{{cite web |title=GPA back Antrim's bid to play Ulster tie against Cavan at Corrigan Park |url=https://www.the42.ie/antrim-cavan-corrigan-park-gpa-5711939-Mar2022/ |website=The42.ie |access-date=18 March 2022}}</ref><ref name="New Corrigan capacity"/> | suites = | record_attendance = | dimensions = | field_shape = | acreage = | volume = | tenants = Antrim GAA | embedded = | website = <!-- {{URL|example.com}} --> | public_transit = }} '''Corrigan Park''' is a Gaelic games ground on the Whiterock Road in west Belfast that served as the main venue for GAA in Belfast until the opening of Casement Park in 1953. It is named in honour of John Corrigan (1881–1916),<ref name="Humphrey">{{cite book | title = A Place to Play: The People and Stories Behind 101 GAA Grounds | first = Humphrey | last = Kelleher | date = 2023 | chapter = Corrigan Park | publisher = Merrion Press | isbn = 9781785374814 }}</ref> who was secretary of the Antrim County Board when Antrim won Ulster Senior Hurling Championship titles between 1909 and 1913.<ref name="hist">{{cite web|url=https://naomheoinclg.com/club-information/history/|title=History|publisher=St John's GAA | website = naomheoinclg.com | quote = Corrigan Park is named after John Corrigan, a dedicated Secretary to the County Board when Antrim won Ulster Titles from 1909 to 1913 }}</ref>

It is home to St John's GAA club and also hosts Ulster club<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.independent.ie/sport/mcconville-goals-decisive-430028.html | title = 1998 Oct 12 McConville Goals Decisive | website = independent.ie}}</ref> and colleges matches.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.independent.ie/sport/saints-sights-on-mcrory-glory-415198.html | title = 1991 Ulster colleges final | website = independent.ie}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.independent.ie/sport/sportslines-477789.html | title = Sigerson 2004 Queen's Univ 1-7 Sligo IT report | website = independent.ie}}</ref>

==History== ===Development=== The ground was officially opened in 1926.<ref name="Humphrey"/><ref name="hist1">{{cite web|url = https://naomheoinclg.com/club-information/corrigan-park-home-of-st-johns/ | website = naomheoinclg.com | title = History of Corrigan Park | accessdate = 20 December 2024 }}</ref> In the late 1920s, additional improvements were built at the ground, including a new stand, player facilities and an entrance from Whiterock Road.<ref name="hist1"/> While, following the opening of Casement Park in 1953, it was suggested that the county board might sell Corrigan Park,<ref name="hist1"/> control of the ground was transferred to St John's GAA club.<ref name="hist1"/> The club undertook a number of developments at the ground in the 1950s and 1970s.<ref name="hist"/>

In 2021, following extensive renovations which included the construction of a 600-seat stand and terracing, the capacity of the park increased from 2,100 to 3,700.<ref name="Corrigan new capacity"/><ref name="Corrigan capacity">{{cite web |title=Antrim left waiting over their right to play at Corrigan Park |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/antrim-left-waiting-over-their-right-to-play-at-corrigan-park-1.3922601 |website=Irish Times |access-date=27 April 2021}}</ref><ref name="New Corrigan capacity">{{cite web |title=West Belfast GAA club to unveil new 2,600-capacity stand |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/west-belfast-gaa-club-to-unveilnew-2600-capacity-stand-40400683.html |website=Belfast Telegraph |access-date=13 February 2022}}</ref>

===Hurling=== Corrigan Park was associated with the run of the Antrim hurling team to the final of the 1943 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship. The ground staged the quarter-final in which Antrim beat Galway and the semi-final in which Antrim beat Kilkenny, both unexpected results at the time. Its tight, confined space was regarded as being advantageous to the home side in those matches.<ref>{{cite book | last = Corry | first = Eoghan | title = Illustrated History of the GAA | publisher = Gill & MacMillan | year = 2005 | location = Dublin, Ireland | pages = 250 }}</ref>

===Football=== Among the major football championship matches it staged were the Cavan-Antrim Ulster championship semi-finals of 1930, 1931 and 1949. Its last major provincial football championship match was Antrim v Donegal in the Ulster championship of 1952.

Corrigan Park also hosted Antrim's Round 2 Qualifier defeat to Kildare in the 2019 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.bbc.com/sport/gaelic-games/48731923 | title = All-Ireland qualifiers: Antrim crash out to Kildare in second round at Corrigan Park | work = BBC Sport | date = 22 June 2019}}</ref>

===Camogie=== Corrigan Park staged the All Ireland Camogie finals of 1944, 1946, and 1947, two of which were won by Antrim, and also several of Antrim's semi-finals. It became known as the "home of camogie" during this period.<ref>{{citation | title = The Evolution of the GAA | first = Donal | last = McAnallen | publisher = Ulster Historical Foundation | date = 2009 | isbn = 978-1-903688-83-0}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== * [https://naomheoinclg.com/club-information/corrigan-park-home-of-st-johns/ History of Corrigan Park on St John's GAA club website]

{{Gaelic games venues}} {{Antrim GAA}}

Category:Antrim GAA Category:Gaelic games grounds in Northern Ireland Category:Sports venues completed in 1926 Category:Sports venues in Belfast