Dundalk v AZ Alkmaar

**nigel-harps1954** · 18/11/2016, 1:01 PM

Sh*te. Forgot about tickets. Had planned to go too.

**Martinho II** · 18/11/2016, 2:16 PM

Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954

Sh*te. Forgot about tickets. Had planned to go too.

kind of annoyin that it was done this way as I called up to Ticketmaster yesterday in Stephens Green SC and was told they can sell them online and not face to face so thats ruined my plans in smoke!

**oriel** · 18/11/2016, 5:10 PM

http://www.dundalkfc.com/az-tickets-sold/

When the draw was made I would have thought 5k at the first game and if we got 4k at the other two matches it would have been decent. Amazing how a few good results changed everything, that's all 3 sold out or very close to I think. The 20.05 kick off times helped too, Rovers had all 3 of their home group EL games at 18.00, that was bad luck.

Hopefully there will be another 'home' match after xmas, although I still say it will be a long shot to retain second spot and qualify, but we definitely have a chance of making it. The last match away to Macabi will be key though.

**jinxy lilywhite** · 18/11/2016, 7:53 PM

Originally Posted by oriel

http://www.dundalkfc.com/az-tickets-sold/

When the draw was made I would have thought 5k at the first game and if we got 4k at the other two matches it would have been decent. Amazing how a few good results changed everything, that's all 3 sold out or very close to I think. The 20.05 kick off times helped too, Rovers had all 3 of their home group EL games at 18.00, that was bad luck.

Hopefully there will be another 'home' match after xmas, although I still say it will be a long shot to retain second spot and qualify, but we definitely have a chance of making it. The last match away to Macabi will be key though.

Of course it's key. No matter what result next Thursday beat macabi and we finish above them in the group.

**Nesta99** · 19/11/2016, 12:30 PM

The financial rewards of the next 2 games and finishing second is significant again ;- 300k for runners up in the group + bonus payments for results (max 720k, min 120 + any amount of 120k not awarded will be pooled redistributed acording to wins). 500k for round of 32 appearance and market pool share of 16mil divided by the number of national associations represented in that round. So another 2million is certainly possible with a result in the next 2 games if other results are favourable also.

**EatYerGreens** · 20/11/2016, 1:26 AM

No surprise the AZ game is a sell-out, as it's key to how the group unfolds. If AZ lose, they're out effectively. And with Maccabi unlikely to get much from Zenit (unless they decide to coast now they're qualified), a Dndalk win would have a big impact on who is likely to make 2nd place.

The sooner Tallaght Stadium gets expanded the better. It's ridiculous that the next biggest football stadium in the Republic after the 51,000 seater Aviva is the 6,000 seater Tallaght. The revamped Dalymount will obviously help, but we won't see that for a while yet. Irish football infrastructure is appalling.

**El-Pietro** · 20/11/2016, 8:41 AM

Originally Posted by EatYerGreens

No surprise the AZ game is a sell-out, as it's key to how the group unfolds. If AZ lose, they're out effectively. And with Maccabi unlikely to get much from Zenit (unless they decide to coast now they're qualified), a Dndalk win would have a big impact on who is likely to make 2nd place.

The sooner Tallaght Stadium gets expanded the better. It's ridiculous that the next biggest football stadium in the Republic after the 51,000 seater Aviva is the 6,000 seater Tallaght. The revamped Dalymount will obviously help, but we won't see that for a while yet. Irish football infrastructure is appalling.

Turners Cross holds 7500 ish, limited to 6900 at the moment.

**sbgawa** · 20/11/2016, 8:59 AM

This time next year rovers dundalk cork and derry wI'll be playing in the group stages in the 8000 seat tallaght stadium with new stand completed. ��

**Philosophizer** · 20/11/2016, 10:22 AM

Originally Posted by EatYerGreens

It's ridiculous that the next biggest football stadium in the Republic after the 51,000 seater Aviva is the 6,000 seater Tallaght. The revamped Dalymount will obviously help, but we won't see that for a while yet. Irish football infrastructure is appalling.

No whats really appalling is that millions and millions of public funds are spent building dozens of stadia around our country but they're tied to the GAA code and forbidden for use by any other sport.

Btw im sure dundlk could have used the rds if they wanted...

**White Horse** · 20/11/2016, 10:55 AM

Originally Posted by El-Pietro

Turners Cross holds 7500 ish, limited to 6900 at the moment.

I doubt it could stage Europa League games though.

**nigel-harps1954** · 20/11/2016, 11:09 AM

Originally Posted by Philosophizer

No whats really appalling is that millions and millions of public funds are spent building dozens of stadia around our country but they're tied to the GAA code and forbidden for use by any other sport.

Btw im sure dundlk could have used the rds if they wanted...

Don't think RDS makes Category 4 status.

**White Horse** · 20/11/2016, 11:21 AM

Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954

Don't think RDS makes Category 4 status.

The choices given to us was Tallaght, Aviva, or Thomond.

**legendz** · 20/11/2016, 12:58 PM

Originally Posted by Philosophizer

No whats really appalling is that millions and millions of public funds are spent building dozens of stadia around our country but they're tied to the GAA code and forbidden for use by any other sport.

Some of those stadia are making the RWC '23 bid possible. The GAA get on with their business and have influence. They fulfil a social role in getting young people involved in sport. They are in the position to get sporting grants like rugby and soccer. They don't necessarily need a municipal stadia. The FAI only have a lease on Aviva Stadium. The land is still owned by the IRFU.

Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954

Don't think RDS makes Category 4 status.

It should after it's redevelopment if it's going to be a world class stadium for it's capacity of 21,000. Their original plan was 25,000. When plans were finalised to cater for rugby and showjumping, 21,000 was the best fit.

**El-Pietro** · 20/11/2016, 3:04 PM

Originally Posted by White Horse

I doubt it could stage Europa League games though.

The comment was around size of the biggest football stadia, not their suitability for Europa League games.

**oriel** · 20/11/2016, 10:37 PM

Well fair point, and in my view, Turners Cross is by far the best ground in LOI. Its the only stadium that is even close to a typical lower English league ground, having 4 sides all seated and all covered.

Its the template for any LOI club. Tallaght is an excellent stadium and in time it may become the best LOI ground.

**sadloserkid** · 21/11/2016, 12:46 PM

Originally Posted by White Horse

The choices given to us was Tallaght, Aviva, or Thomond.

And Thomond wasn't chosen!!! More anti-Limerick bias from JD and the FAI.

**swinfordfc** · 22/11/2016, 2:23 PM

Back to the game, it will be interesting to see with abit of pressure now on Dundalk, how they cope with this - they need to keep it tight again like all other games - no silly mistakes by Garthland at the back cause their will get chances!