The ceremony which included a presentation on the plans was also attended by representatives from every club in Antrim.

The Centre of Excellence has received financial support from the GAA nationally as well as through the Ulster Council and from the fundraising body, Club Aontroma.

A 26 acre site has been acquired at Dunsilly for the £8million centre which will serve the needs of Antrim, as well as Ulster Council and the GAA nationally.

The overall masterplan has been completed and GAA officials are preparing to submit a planning application for Phase 1 of the project within the next few weeks. The Centre of Excellence is a core element of the Antrim Strategic Plan which was launched in December 2006. A major fund-raising drive is underway in the county, backed by Club Aontroma, which today announced a £50,000 contribution to the project.

President of the GAA, Nickey Brennan expressed his delight at the project: "This is the first launch of a regional infrastructure project enabled by the new GAA Strategic Investment fund. The Ulster Council, Antrim County Board and the Naomh Chomhgalls club are to be congratulated on their vision and commitment to the development of the GAA in this area.

"This project will ensure that there will be a long lasting legacy from the rental income from Croke Park which I believe will see the Association thrive in this large and growing urban area".

Ulster Chairman Tom Daly added: "We are now delighted to support Antrim's efforts in providing the physical infrastructure which underpins our games in the county and in the province. The plans which have been developed for the Dunsilly site are very exciting and I congratulate those involved for their vision, commitment and energy."

Welcoming progress on the Centre of Excellence John McSparran said: "This is the most significant development there has been for years in the GAA in Antrim.

"Considerable work has already been done in acquiring this land to date and has involved representatives from Naomh Comgall's, Club Aontroma, County officials with support from Ulster and Central Councils. It is a unique development in that it is much more than a facility just for clubs and County teams.

"This project will ultimately cost in the region of £8 million. As a County we must generate considerable revenue over the next few years. I want to take this opportunity to make a personal guarantee to Antrim supporters: every penny of the money we have raised and will continue to raise for this Centre of Excellence will be used specifically for this project. We are indebted to those who have supported our fund-raising initiatives so far.

Eamonn Prenter, Chairman of Club Aontroma handed over a £50,000 cheque to the project and stressed the continuing role his organization will play in the project.

"Club Aontroma has only been in existence for less than two years and we are pleased to be able to make a significant contribution to the development of the Centre of Excellence. Club Aontroma has organised the second Antrim Raceday on the May 30 and that event is already sold out."

On a local level, Paddy McGinley of St Comgall's GAA, spoke of the "truly momentous occasion", adding that the local club had a vision of this day, and with support from the Ulster Council, they were able to launch a successful bid to have the county join in developing the Dunsilly site.

"A small number of dedicated club stalwarts raised a considerable sum by dint of a countrywide raffle, a sum which was then matched and surpassed by others," Paddy said.

He added: "The Antrim County Board, thanks to the success of their own sweepstake, and sponsorship from Creagh Concrete, came on board, and Club Aontroma donated a considerable sum from their efforts.

"If all goes to plan, and we continue to raise the funding, there will eventually be facilities second to none in the country. Three grass pitches, two astro-turf pitches, a retail outlet, medical facilities, car park and indoor hall will be available to develop the stars of the future for both club and county."

Tickets for the Saffron Sweep, with over £100,000 in prizes, are still available, easily obtainable by entering the St Comgall's website. The tickets cost £100, with a Range Rover sport car as the first prize.

"An easy way to possibly get a ticket is to form your own syndicate, say of ten or twenty people, and then draw a number from a hat to see who keeps the ticket. You could win one of the great prizes, a Honda Civic car, luxury family holidays for three years or a cash prize. Win or lose, you will be helping the club and county to provide facilities for the young people of Antrim Town," Paddy suggested.

He added: "Hopefully when the scheme reaches fruition both St Comgall's and the county will be in a position to capitalise on the wonderful new facilities."