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03 Oct 2025

Irish soccer legend turns eyes to Kilkenny after Kildare rejection

Kildare County Council rejected Given's proposals due to land zoned for equine-related development

Irish soccer legend lodges huge plans for Kilkenny after Kildare rejection

Shay Given is looking to set up Arena Padel in Ireland

A planning application submitted by former Irish goalkeeper Shay Given and his business partner, Declan Fagan, for a €4 million padel centre has been refused by Kildare County Council.

Kildare County Council’s decision to refuse planning permission for Arena Padel in Goffs comes a week after Given and Mr Fagan submitted a planning application to Kilkenny County Council for an Arena Padel in Gowran Park

Plans in Kilkenny are to open a state-of-the-art, 22,000 sq. ft indoor padel facility to build five padel courts on site. 

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It is understood that the planning application in Kilkenny includes a sauna, ice bath, changing rooms, and an indoor golf simulator. 

Padel is a racket sport played in an enclosed court, with the same scoring system as tennis, but with different rules, strokes and equipment. The sport originated in Mexico, but has long been popular in countries like Spain and Brazil. 

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On social media, Given had stated how “excited” he was for the project in Kildare and his Arena Padel project in general.

He stated: “It’s the fastest growing sport in the world, and it’s easy to see why. Padel can be played together by all ages and skill levels.

“We’ve founded Arena Padel to bring padel tennis to the masses by investing in purpose-built modern sports arenas.”

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