[11] As a result, Longford considered plans to leave Pearse Park after GAA officials removed their home advantage for the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship on health and safety grounds.

However, there was a planning objection by local resident and former Longford GAA goalkeeper Liam Madden.

He requested that he be made county captain of Longford and be able to lead the team out to the theme of the television series Bonanza.

[12] Longford County Council approved the €2.5 million redevelopment, with Madden originally planning to appeal to An Bord Pleanála but dropped his appeal after receiving a hand written apology in Irish from the GAA and €100 in compensation.

[13] The development was completed in 2018 and the first match held was a Leinster Senior Football Championship game against Meath, with a reduced capacity of 6,000.