MacHale Park

Discussions with the owners of the land where MacHale Park now stands commenced in 1929 and the deal was concluded on 7 March 1930.

The official opening took place on 24 May 1931, when about 4,000 spectators attended a match between Mayo and Kildare, which ended in a draw.

The ground was reopened on 15 June 1952 with a game between the reigning All-Ireland champions Mayo and Meath; which also ended in a draw.

In 1990 the Connacht Council decided to grant aid Dr. Hyde Park, County Roscommon with a view to making it the main venue in the province.

Over the course of the next 12 years, the ground was converted into a 32,000 all-seater stadium and new dressing rooms, improved press facilities, dug-outs and a wheelchair area were constructed.

In March 2005, the Mayo County Board took control of MacHale Park on a 50-year lease with a view to upgrading the stadium.

The €16 million redevelopment works included improved facilities for spectators, a museum, underground training areas, and County Board offices.

[6] In December 2024, it was announced that Connacht will play against Munster in rugby union at MacHale Park for the first time on 29 March 2025.

This was the first Connacht final to take place in MacHale Park and the first big game there since the stadium's redevelopment.

Few gave Mayo, without a Connacht title for 12 years, any chance against arch-rivals Galway who had just been crowned League champions.

However, on a blazing hot summer's day, a tremendous performance of high fielding by Willie Nally propelled Mayo to a famous victory and they would go on to clinch the Connacht title over Sligo, also at MacHale Park.

With time almost up, it appeared that Mayo had regained the title but Derek Duggan stepped up to kick a now-legendary long-range free to take the game to a replay.