SETU Arena has been praised for its role in hosting the GAA World Games, with more than 480 games taking place across the four-day event.

The tournament brought thousands of players, coaches, supporters and visitors to the South East Technological University campus, with eight pitches in use throughout the competition.

The event was delivered in partnership with SETU Novus, the GAA, the Camogie Association and the LGFA, with staff working behind the scenes over the past 12 months to help plan and deliver one of the largest sporting events ever hosted at the venue.

As well as the huge volume of Gaelic Games fixtures, normal activity at SETU Arena continued throughout the event.

More than 600 gym users attended the facility over the four days, while 400 people took part in fitness classes — all without interruption to the regular service provided at the arena.

That achievement underlined the scale of the operation and the work carried out by SETU Novus and SETU Arena staff throughout the tournament.

SETU Novus is responsible for a range of services and facilities across the SETU campus, including the management of SETU Arena, food and beverage services, accommodation and support for sport and campus life.

The organisation paid tribute to the staff and partners who helped make the World Games a success.

“Throughout the four-day event our staff, alongside our partners across the Gaelic Games, have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to help ensure every athlete, coach, supporter and visitor had the best possible experience,” SETU Novus said.

“Their hard work, dedication, teamwork and enthusiasm made this event the success it was.”

With more than 480 games played, eight pitches in use, hundreds of gym users continuing to attend and 400 people taking part in fitness classes, the event presented a significant logistical challenge.

The ability to host the tournament while continuing to provide uninterrupted services to regular SETU Arena users highlighted the quality of the facilities and the staff operating them.

The successful staging of the GAA World Games further underlined SETU Arena’s credentials as one of the leading sporting and events venues in Ireland.

SETU Novus also thanked its “dream team” for their contribution to the event.

“Hosting an event of this scale takes an incredible amount of work, and every single member of our team played an important role in making it happen,” they said.

“To our dream team, thank you for everything you have done. We are incredibly proud of what we achieved together.”

The GAA World Games on WLR, powered by Clem Jacob Hire, proudly serving Waterford for 20 years! 

For the latest Waterford News and Sport, tune into WLR News on the hour and download the WLR App for news on demand.