Breffni Park facts for kids
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Páirc Bhreifne
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 Kingspan Breffni
Location in Ireland
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| Address | Creighan, Cavan, County Cavan, H12 HX02 |
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| Location | Ireland |
| Coordinates | 53°58′55″N 7°21′33″W / 53.98194°N 7.35917°W |
| Public transit | Tractamotors Bus Stop; Cavan Bus Station |
| Owner | Cavan GAA |
| Capacity | 25,030 |
| Field size | 143 x 86 m |
| Surface | Grass |
| Scoreboard | Yes |
| Opened | 1923 |
Kingspan Breffni is a large sports stadium in Cavan, Ireland. It is the main home for Cavan GAA, which is the team for County Cavan in GAA sports. The stadium can hold about 25,030 people. About 5,030 of these are seated spots.
The name "Breffni" comes from the old name for the area. This area includes parts of County Cavan and County Leitrim. People often call Cavan the "Breffni County." Kingspan Breffni is located on Park Lane, just south of Cavan town. This stadium has hosted important international games. For example, it held the first test match in the 2006 Ladies' International Rules Series. This was between the Irish women's team and the Australian women's team. It also hosted a test match during the 2013 International Rules Series.
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History of Kingspan Breffni
Kingspan Breffni first opened its doors in 1923. A famous person named Eoin O'Duffy spoke at the opening. He encouraged the GAA to unite all Irish people. He wanted them to help guide the youth of Ireland.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the stadium was used in a different way. It became a drive-through test centre. This helped many people get tested safely.
Sports and Events at Breffni Park
Athletics Events
In June 2009, Kingspan Breffni hosted an amazing athletics event. A new world record was set there. This record was for a twelve-hour continuous relay race. A huge number of people, 1,868 participants, took part.
Camogie Development
Kingspan Breffni is also used to help grow other Irish sports. On June 7, 2009, the 2009 Cavan Camogie Development Fun Day took place here. This event was held to encourage young people to play camogie. It aimed to help the sport grow at younger age levels.
Gaelic Football Matches
Kingspan Breffni is a regular host for exciting Ulster Senior Football Championship matches. In 2009, Cavan played Fermanagh in a quarter-final. Many people thought Cavan would lose. But Cavan won 0–13 to 1–09! It was a big surprise victory.
The stadium has also hosted many national-level games.
All-Ireland Qualifying Games
Breffni Park has seen many important qualifying matches for the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship. These games help teams move closer to the championship final.
In 2005, Cavan played Donegal here. Cavan won 1–11 to 1–10. This win helped Cavan reach the fourth round of qualifiers. The stadium also hosted a game between Monaghan and Louth. Monaghan won that match by 1–12 to 0–14.
In 2007, a third-round qualifier was played at Kingspan Breffni Park. Derry played Laois. Derry won 1–18 to 2–11 and moved on to the quarter-finals. In 2011, the stadium hosted two more qualifier games. These were Louth versus Meath, and Cavan versus Longford.
Allianz National League Games
In 2004, Kingspan Breffni hosted a Division 1B match. This was between Cavan and Armagh. Cavan won easily with a score of 3–12 to 0–8. This was a big win because Armagh had been very successful in previous All-Ireland Championships.
In 2006, Breffni Park was chosen to host the Division Two Final of the Allianz National League. This game was between Donegal and Louth. Donegal's manager, Brian McIver, was not happy about this. He thought the final should have been played at Croke Park in Dublin. He felt that the National League is a very important competition. The GAA explained that the location was chosen based on where the teams were from.
Hurling League Finals
Kingspan Breffni Park has also hosted important hurling matches. On May 2, 2009, two National Hurling League Finals were played there. These were the Division Three A Final between Meath and Kildare. Also, the Division Four Final between Monaghan and Sligo took place.
International Rules Football
Kingspan Breffni has been a venue for international games. It hosted the first test match in the 2006 Ladies' International Rules Series. This was a historic game between the Irish women's team and the Australian women's team. Ireland won this match by a large score of 134–15. The stadium also hosted the first test during the 2013 International Rules Series.
