Top Mayo stadium set to see light restored in spring

The saga over the damaged floodlighting system at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park in Castlebar is expected to be resolved within the next two months.

One of the pylons was damaged during Storm Eowyn over 12 months ago and has laid grounded since in a nearby car park.

As a result, there are no night games during the Allianz National League series, the first home game against Dublin taking place next Sunday afternoon.

Now Paul Cunnane, Mayo GAA communications officer, has confirmed the works on restoring the floodlights are expected to be competed before the start of the Connacht SFC series.

“There’s works ongoing over the last couple of months, and we’re waiting for the lighting pole to be delivered," he told the Irish Independent.

"The latest update we have is that there is approximately a 12-week lead time, so the delivery date is mid-March.

"And as soon as it comes in, all going to plan, it can go straight up and be operational within a few days.

“Just one pylon base was damaged in the storm.

"There were a number of engineers’ reports back and over about what was needed.

"There were also some changes to building regulations over the last number of months. That’s why it has taken so long.

“They actually completed the concrete works last week. A full foundation and base had to be relayed.”

An attendance of around 15,000 is expected at the venue for Sunday's clash.

“There’s certainly a big appetite. Obviously with new management coming in to Mayo, new management coming in to Dublin, it’s not on TV anywhere, so it’s either on radio or you have to be there to find out what’s going on,” Cunnane added.