Michael O'Neill expects national training centre project to progress by 2028

Yahoo Sports1 min read • Latest: Sep 2, 2026, 6:36 PM

Last updated Sep 2, 2026

Michael O'Neill expects national training centre project to progress by 2028
Summary

Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill has expressed optimism regarding the Irish Football Association's plans to open a national training centre by 2028. The proposed facility, intended to support senior, underage, and women's teams, is slated for a site near the Galgorm Resort outside Ballymena. Although the association maintains its commitment to the project, officials are currently working to address objections raised by local residents. In the same briefing, O'Neill confirmed that Liverpool defender Conor Bradley will not participate in the upcoming Nations League campaign. Bradley continues to recover from a knee injury sustained in January. O'Neill stated that while the recovery is being managed carefully, he does not expect the player to be available until at least the international break in March 2027.

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Status Watch
  • The Irish Football Association plans to open a new training centre near Ballymena by 2028.
  • The project remains in the planning phase as the association addresses local resident objections.
  • Conor Bradley will miss the remainder of the 2026 Nations League campaign due to a knee injury.
  • O'Neill anticipates that Bradley may be fit to return for international matches in March 2027.
Latest Updates
  • 6:36 PMYahoo SportsO'Neill 'hopeful' training centre plans progress
  • 6:32 PMBBC SportO'Neill 'hopeful' training centre plans progress
What they're saying
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Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill says that he is "certainly hopeful" that the Irish Football Association can move forward with plans to have a National Training Centre open by 2028.

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Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill says that he is "certainly hopeful" that the Irish Football Association can move forward with plans to have a National Training Centre open by 2028.

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