Gaelic games have had a somewhat difficult history in Ballymena, a town with a substantial Protestant and unionist majority, whereas the GAA has traditionally drawn its support from the mainly Catholic nationalist community.

The council not only blocked access to public playing fields but attempted to prevent the club acquiring its own grounds.

The 1965–68 All Saints used a pitch at St Patrick's School, as did the revived club until it rented parish lands at Hugomont.

As this field was of very poor quality, and to meet increased demand, the club applied in 1976 to Ballymena Borough Council for the use of civic land, but was rejected nem.

A Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) councillor objected to the GAA's goals of promoting Irish games, language and culture, to the then Rule 21 ban on participation in GAA sports by members of the crown forces, and to the requirement that the Irish tricolour – "a foreign flag" – be flown during matches.

The Commissioner, Stephen McGonagle, upheld the club's complaints, holding that the council's "high-handed and arbitrary action" amounted to discrimination and maladministration.

Those submitting formal objections included Mid-Antrim Unionist Association, two Orange lodges, Ballymena Black Chapter, and the local Free Presbyterian Church.

In 1981 a Northern Ireland Office junior minister (the region then being under direct rule) over-ruled the inquiry and granted planning permission to the club.

The minister, David Mitchell, attended a meeting of Ballymena Borough Council to explain his decision, but on a vote was asked to leave.

In August 1996, the new premises were attacked by arsonists, but they were restored and formally opened by the then President of the GAA, Jack Boothman, in February 1997.