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endabob1
27/11/2009, 12:30 PM
In a word no. The world Cup will be a huge success and despite the scaremongering of the British Press everything is pretty much bang on track.
Firstly we had the will the stadiums be ready panic infused headlines, they have faded as South Africa opened its first of the new stadiums more a year before the start of the World Cup and the remaining stadiums have been shown to be progressing on or close to schedule with Cape Towns striking new Green Point Stadium the final one due for completion next month some 6 months before the start of the games.

Now we have progressed to the horrors of crime in South Africa, yes South Africa has a higher crime rate than most of the developed world, no one is naive enough to dispute this but 30,000 new police are being recruited in advance plus a 45,000 reserve force which will be on duty for the duration of the games.

The infrastructure is going to be an issue only in terms of people who are not familiar with life in a city that doesnt have underground trains, trams etc… The government is putting in place a Rapid transport system designed to improve this, it is not without its flaws but with plenty of high quality accommodation, upgraded international standard airports and an improved local transit system I have every confidence in SA pulling this off.
South Africa is not new to organising international sporting events, clearly nothing on the scale of a FIFA world cup but lets see since the end of Apartheid;
1995 – Rugby World Cup
1996 – African cup of Nations
1997 – Lions Rugby Tour
2003 – Cricket World Cup
2003 – Presidents Cup Golf
2007 – Twenty20 Cricket World Cup
2009 – IPL Cricket (organised at 3 weeks notice due to fears over election violence in India, ironically it was held in South Africa during the most hotly contested elections since the beginning of democracy, without any trouble)
2009 - Lions Rugby Tour
2009 – Confederations cup

Add to these the annual A1 GP race, The world Superbikes GP at Kyalami, the 5 Super 14 franchises that host New Zealand and Australian teams every season, 3 European PGA tour sanctioned events annually and you start to develop an understanding that perhaps these people do know a little bit about organising international events.

Noelys Guitar
27/11/2009, 12:56 PM
In a word no. The world Cup will be a huge success and despite the scaremongering of the British Press everything is pretty much bang on track.
Firstly we had the will the stadiums be ready panic infused headlines, they have faded as South Africa opened its first of the new stadiums more a year before the start of the World Cup and the remaining stadiums have been shown to be progressing on or close to schedule with Cape Towns striking new Green Point Stadium the final one due for completion next month some 6 months before the start of the games.

Now we have progressed to the horrors of crime in South Africa, yes South Africa has a higher crime rate than most of the developed world, no one is naive enough to dispute this but 30,000 new police are being recruited in advance plus a 45,000 reserve force which will be on duty for the duration of the games.

The infrastructure is going to be an issue only in terms of people who are not familiar with life in a city that doesnt have underground trains, trams etc… The government is putting in place a Rapid transport system designed to improve this, it is not without its flaws but with plenty of high quality accommodation, upgraded international standard airports and an improved local transit system I have every confidence in SA pulling this off.
South Africa is not new to organising international sporting events, clearly nothing on the scale of a FIFA world cup but lets see since the end of Apartheid;
1995 – Rugby World Cup
1996 – African cup of Nations
1997 – Lions Rugby Tour
2003 – Cricket World Cup
2003 – Presidents Cup Golf
2007 – Twenty20 Cricket World Cup
2009 – IPL Cricket (organised at 3 weeks notice due to fears over election violence in India, ironically it was held in South Africa during the most hotly contested elections since the beginning of democracy, without any trouble)
2009 - Lions Rugby Tour
2009 – Confederations cup

Add to these the annual A1 GP race, The world Superbikes GP at Kyalami, the 5 Super 14 franchises that host New Zealand and Australian teams every season, 3 European PGA tour sanctioned events annually and you start to develop an understanding that perhaps these people do know a little bit about organising international events.

Good post. And the right decision was made by FIFA in this instance by choosing SA. Back to us hosting a major tournament. It could be done. But we would need a visionary at the helm. Possibly someone who has overseen major tournaments before. Not a Bertie/FF type within a thousand miles of having any input.

kingdom hoop
27/11/2009, 1:04 PM
That's an impressive list. But I'm still not convinced on South Africa. I mean, how many Eurovisions have they hosted? Not very many I think. And can you see some Zulu dance at half-time in the World Cup final going on to become an international sensation, selling out theaters from Japan to Argentina? Not bloody likely.

endabob1
27/11/2009, 1:12 PM
That's an impressive list. But I'm still not convinced on South Africa. I mean, how many Eurovisions have they hosted? Not very many I think. And can you see some Zulu dance at half-time in the World Cup final going on to become an international sensation, selling out theaters from Japan to Argentina? Not bloody likely.


You think we should suggest they get Flatley in to advise? He could do a black & white minstrels type show, I'm sure that would go down a blast :D

backstothewall
27/11/2009, 1:15 PM
Good post. And the right decision was made by FIFA in this instance by choosing SA. Back to us hosting a major tournament. It could be done. But we would need a visionary at the helm. Possibly someone who has overseen major tournaments before. Not a Bertie/FF type within a thousand miles of having any input.

Realistically the only sports administrators we have who have the experience to organise this kind of thing are from horse racing and rugby.

twoenz
27/11/2009, 1:21 PM
and if Ireland was dropped in a country as big as South Africa, it would take a couple of weeks to find it).



While you make some excellent, valid points, that's the one that matters the most. We've been told that already as Henry's actions confirmed. We're in the 3rd world when it comes to being worth something as a TV market.

When USA was chosen to host USA 94 they could have held it in Ireland if we compared it as a population that actually cared. But the longer term goal was to make the world's largest TV market sit up and take notice. I'm sure at some point down the line we'll be lining up in Russia, China and even India. Not for the good of the 11 a side treasure, but for "the game" of making FIFA as much money as possible.

irishultra
27/11/2009, 1:30 PM
No. Poor football stadiums, sparsley populated island with poor transport it wouldn't be very likely sadly.

Scotland would struggle and they have much better foundations than we do.

backstothewall
27/11/2009, 1:41 PM
Why does everyone keep mentioning poor transport?

The Irish transport network is excellent, or at least it certainy will be by 2015. We will have brand new motorways and rail links to every major city, and airports in Dublin, Belfast, Derry, Cork, Limerick and Galway.

The length of time the train from Belfast to Derry takes is one black spot, but otherwise I think we are well set up in terms of transport. And if we were to successfully bid for a major event, we could easily electrify the railways and/or buy new rolling stock.

irishultra
27/11/2009, 2:15 PM
But you have to ask yourself what has Ireland got that Norway, Scotland, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland don't have? I mean I couldn't even invision something like that being staged here let alone think of it in any meanginful way.

With an island population of over 6 million it shouldn't be that inprobable but as has already been said we have the football stadiums of a country like Albania, who like Ireland won't be hosting any international events anytime soon.

How much stadiums do you need to co-host?

Lansdowne
Croke Park
A stadium in Belfast
Thomond Park

Thats 4 stadiums in two countries.

kingdom hoop
27/11/2009, 2:23 PM
Why does everyone keep mentioning poor transport?

I partly agree with you, but I suppose the point to note is that we have a reasonable standard of transport, but only relative to population we have. In other words, the standard of infrastructure must be viewed in light of the amount of people that use it. For example, if you looked at the roads in Beijing in isolation you'd say they've a good infrastructure. But then when you drop howevermany million people in there the infrastructure isn't so great.

I think the main problem is that UEFA don't allow terracing. If they did, I think the GAA would soften up at the sniff of a few quid. I think we'd manage the logistical problems after that, there'll be plenty of empty hotels available anyway.

Gather round
27/11/2009, 2:32 PM
You've got the Europa Cup Final in 18 months time, and I think the u-21 is doable even if UEFA expanded the finals to 12 teams, as I hope they will. Games in Tallaght, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Derry*, maybe Dundalk, Droghedea, Sligo etc. with a showpiece final at Lansdowne.

* I'm not expecting an automatic qulification as co-host, don't worry ;)


The length of time the train from Belfast to Derry takes is one black spot, but otherwise I think we are well set up in terms of transport. And if we were to successfully bid for a major event, we could easily electrify the railways and/or buy new rolling stock

Although not quite sharing your enthusiasm for Aughnacloy as a transport/ sporting hub as per a previous thread, I think reopening of the Derry-Portadown-Dublin line via Strabane, Omagh and Dungannon is feasible in the next few years. At which point Derry and Dublin bound travellers can avoid Belfast entirely. But aye, the north coast line should be improved as well.

Crosby87
27/11/2009, 3:24 PM
Speaking of stadiums Does anyone know where i would have seen U2 play in Dublin the summer of 1993? Or was it 1994? People sometimes ask me where the show was and I cant remember the venue... I remember it was a pretty big outdoor stadium. Well big to me at 16.

backstothewall
27/11/2009, 3:27 PM
Although not quite sharing your enthusiasm for Aughnacloy as a transport/ sporting hub as per a previous thread, I think reopening of the Derry-Portadown-Dublin line via Strabane, Omagh and Dungannon is feasible in the next few years. At which point Derry and Dublin bound travellers can avoid Belfast entirely. But aye, the north coast line should be improved as well.

Completely agree with you. Not only would it make direct Dublin-Derry trains feasible, it would also cut down on the amount of time it takes to go Belfast-Derry, and put stations in places like Omagh and Strabane which could serious do with a quick way to get to and from Belfast. I also reckon there should be at least a feasability study into re-opening the line from Portadown to Sligo via Armagh, Monaghan, Clones and Enniskillen. And perhaps the line to Athnrey and Galway/Ennis beyond that.

And if an all-ireland Premier Division of some kind was set up, what better way to get to away games?

Greenforever
27/11/2009, 3:33 PM
Speaking of stadiums Does anyone know where i would have seen U2 play in Dublin the summer of 1993? Or was it 1994? People sometimes ask me where the show was and I cant remember the venue... I remember it was a pretty big outdoor stadium. Well big to me at 16.


Croke Park

tricky_colour
27/11/2009, 3:43 PM
Speaking of stadiums Does anyone know where i would have seen U2 play in Dublin the summer of 1993? Or was it 1994? People sometimes ask me where the show was and I cant remember the venue... I remember it was a pretty big outdoor stadium. Well big to me at 16.


R.D.S. Arena?

http://www.u2tours.com/find.src?TOUR=Zoo+TV+-+Zooropa

August 27, 1993: Dublin, Ireland at R.D.S. Arena
U2 Concert Listings from U2tours.com (27 November 2009)]

Maybe you can spot yourself here?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9iz5jFS9vE

Greenforever
27/11/2009, 3:44 PM
Comparisons to the LOI are irrelevant to a joint bid - my siggestion of a joint bid with Scotland and a bid at the same time for a rugby world cup would need to be handles by completly independent specialists, on behalf of the FAI SFA etc.

Platinum ONe have shown waht can be done by professionals in brining Real MAdrid to Dublin, and before anyone says yes but that was a one off match, yes it was but lok at the audience it attractedworld wide, and when the first posts on this forum sugested Real Madrid were coming to Tallaght it was greeted with ridicule.

Another advantage we would have is Ryanair!!

Ryanair fly to virtually every potential qualifier and also have daily links from Scotland to Ireland, making the tournament very accessible for all suporters. And where Ryanair dont fly Easyjet and BMI fly to probably every other potential qualifier.

Crosby87
27/11/2009, 9:52 PM
Wow tricky you are good. I was def at that show. Now I know. I cant believe Ive been to the great RDS arena. Thanks.

GUFCghost
28/11/2009, 8:13 PM
How about a co-host with the 4 Nations (Us, the North, Wales, Scotland)


Lansdowne Road
Windsor Park (if developed to 30,000)
Murrayfield
Edinburgh
Millenium Stadium
Cardiff City Stadium

We need to have eight to launch a bid, so there would be two new stadia built, one in Ireland and one in Northern Ireland?

Id say they would let us use Croke park if we pay them,that means we need one more.

soccerboy
29/11/2009, 5:14 PM
we have no hope of hosting a major tournament,only stadiums we have are aviva and croke park,possibly thomond and our infrastructure is abysmal,terrible traffic in all our cities and poor public transport...it would be a logistical nightmare,scotland would never bid with us again

Metrostars
29/11/2009, 6:00 PM
It's a non starter. Only Aviva would be good enough for it. No point in discussing GAA stadiums because the Euros are in the middle of the GAA season.

The ONLY way this could ever happen here is if the local game took off and there were a number of large enough soccer stadiums in say Cork, Limerick, Galway, another one in Dublin. But unfortunately that won't happen either.

irishultra
30/11/2009, 12:23 AM
Even if football took off here it would still be pushing it.

dan o d
30/11/2009, 3:07 PM
in a joint irish scottish there would be a lot of contraversy in glasgow between celtic and rangers , because i think you can only put forward one stadium from each area.
that wud leave the bid with 3 definites- lansdowne, celtic park/ibrox and hampden.
croker would be in the middle of the gaa season and thomond is too small. im not sure about the scottish fa and its use of murrayfield either.
in 2020 there will also be 24 teams in the euros so wed need at least 7 top class stadiums

fionnsci
30/11/2009, 3:48 PM
Id say they would let us use Croke park if we pay them,that means we need one more.

If you'd read the thread you'd know that only ONE city can have more than one stadium. Hampden, Aviva and Millenium would be used, that means only one of Croker, Ibrox, Parkhead and Cardiff City Stadium could be used. Anyway, 3/4 nations is out of the question.

fionnsci
30/11/2009, 3:49 PM
in 2020 there will also be 24 teams in the euros so wed need at least 7 top class stadiums

I think 12 is the minimum....

Riddickcule
30/11/2009, 4:28 PM
I think there needs to be 12 stadiums.

Say we co-hosted with Scotland(as an example):

Ireland

Lansdowne (50,000)
Croke Park (80,000)
Tallaght? (eg. 30,000)
New Cork Ground (30,000)
New Limerick Ground (30,000)
New Galway Ground (30,000)

Scotland

Hampden Park (52,000)
Celtic Park (60,000)
Ibrox (50,000)
Easter Road (30,000)
Tynecastle (30,000)
Pittodrie (30,000)


2020 is a long time away, new stadiums can be built in time if it was to happen.

Predator
30/11/2009, 4:37 PM
Where is the money coming from to build these new stadiums in Cork, Limerick and Galway?

galwayjames
30/11/2009, 4:38 PM
Tallaght? (eg. 30,000)

Tallaght is not big enough to be developed up to 30,000.

Riddickcule
30/11/2009, 4:50 PM
Where is the money coming from the build these new stadiums in Cork, Limerick and Galway?
FAI, if they really wanted it they could afford it over 10 years

Leeside Swagger
30/11/2009, 4:51 PM
God help us if any of the top English or Scottish teams qualify for the Europa League final in 2011. Dublin wouldn't have anywhere near enough beds to cater for the amount of fans that would travel and thats for one match. Even if we had the stadia, imagine 30,000 fans or more in Galway or Limerick looking for somewhere to stay? Its just not possible in this country.

fionnsci
30/11/2009, 5:05 PM
I think there needs to be 12 stadiums.

Say we co-hosted with Scotland(as an example):

Ireland

Lansdowne (50,000)
Croke Park (80,000)
Tallaght? (eg. 30,000)
New Cork Ground (30,000)
New Limerick Ground (30,000)
New Galway Ground (30,000)

Scotland

Hampden Park (52,000)
Celtic Park (60,000)
Ibrox (50,000)
Easter Road (30,000)
Tynecastle (30,000)
Pittodrie (30,000)


2020 is a long time away, new stadiums can be built in time if it was to happen.

Yet again, 12 stadiums, 11 cities.

You have 12 stadiums, 7 cities.

elroy
01/12/2009, 9:08 AM
FAI, if they really wanted it they could afford it over 10 years

Seriously?? No come on, seriously?!?!

tricky_colour
01/12/2009, 2:59 PM
Wow tricky you are good.

Yes I am:D (in my best Alan Partridge voice)

Just a question of plugging a few terms into google ie "U2 dublin 1993" and having plenty of spare time on your hands!! I have never heard of the place myself, and never seen U2 live.

I figured they would not play in Ireland very much, bands their size just do a few huge concerts.

DeLorean
25/04/2014, 10:50 AM
The FAI are submitting their bid today. Dublin Airport's two terminals and our fans reputation are sighted as our main selling points.

FAI to submit Euro 2020 bid
(http://www.rte.ie/news/2014/0425/611618-euro-2020-football/)

I think UEFA are announcing the successful applicants in September this year.

Bungle
25/04/2014, 11:02 AM
If we get to stage games, are we guaranteed qualification for it as a host, or if not once we hopefully qualify, will we be given our own games? Even if it wasn't Irish matches, it would be great to have other games in Dublin, so fingers crossed we're successful. I do think we have a great chance and Platini's idea is surely meant for countries like Ireland that otherwise haven't a prayer in hosting tournaments. Surely, it should rule out Germany, Italy etc for this reason.

DeLorean
25/04/2014, 11:33 AM
Unfortunately I think your last point in probably a bit naive, even though it makes perfect sense. The big boys will get some games for sure I'd imagine.

I remember Delaney saying that it would be great to be selected and a dream if we qualify as well. Therefore, the hosts won't be guaranteed qualification. You couldn't have 13 countries qualifying automatically anyway really. I don't know if we would get to play our games at home, but I would guess at it being random.

I think we have a great chance as well.

NeverFeltBetter
25/04/2014, 11:54 AM
I'd say they'd do their best to arrange for "hosts" to have at least one game at home, but everyone is going through qualifiers surely.

Dodge
25/04/2014, 12:11 PM
13 countries get games. Can't have them all qualifying automatically so everyone is going to have to go through the qualifiers.

They expect 30 countries to apply so I'd imagine our chances are slim enough

DeLorean
25/04/2014, 12:16 PM
29 to be exact... including two from Spain... Madrid and Bilbao. Both of those are applying for the 'finals package' as well as the standard package along with London, Cardiff, Brussels and Munich.

All of the rest are only applying for the standard package, which seems strange for heavy hitters like Rome, Paris, etc.

London will more than likely be selected one would imagine. I think if Cardiff are also successful that could diminish our chances.

Euro 2020 - Wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Euro_2020)

jbyrne
25/04/2014, 12:17 PM
from reading elsewhere i think its basically going to come down between us, wales and scotland to host games this side of europe

Bungle
25/04/2014, 2:22 PM
Unfortunately I think your last point in probably a bit naive, even though it makes perfect sense. The big boys will get some games for sure I'd imagine.

I remember Delaney saying that it would be great to be selected and a dream if we qualify as well. Therefore, the hosts won't be guaranteed qualification. You couldn't have 13 countries qualifying automatically anyway really. I don't know if we would get to play our games at home, but I would guess at it being random.

I think we have a great chance as well.

You would like to think that countries like Wales, Scotland, us, Finland and Armenia etc will really be looked after rather than the big boys. It would be great if the Scots or Wales got the finals package and we got a standard package. Unfortunately, I think it will be at best two from Scotland, Wales and ourselves over this side.

I think Turkey will get the final and probably deservedly so.

Bungle
25/04/2014, 2:23 PM
p.s just saw Wales are going for both the finals package and the standard package, while the Scots are going for the standard.

Dodge
25/04/2014, 3:35 PM
I think Turkey will get the final and probably deservedly so.

They've apparently pulled out of the running for the finals

Crosby87
25/04/2014, 3:35 PM
You think they will find Turkey to be stable enough to award them that Bungle?

Bungle
25/04/2014, 6:25 PM
If they give a tournament like the world cup to Russia, then they could easily give the European Championship semi final and final to a city like Istanbul. By all accounts, it's meant to be beautiful and it has hosted the Champions League Final. I haven't been there so can't comment on infrastructure, which is very important on winning these bids. In relation to Syria, I would say that alot can change for worse or for better in the next 6 years, which may or may not have a massive impact on Turkey. Anyhow, face it lads, if you had told me a few months ago that there was even a tiny possibility that Ukraine and Russia could go to war or be even remotely close to it, I wouldn't have believed you.

By the way, Cardiff has shocking transport infrastructure from my own admittedly limited experience of it there. I went to a Heineken Cup final there in 2008 and their train station couldn't cope with all the Munster fans. However, the Millennium is absolutely magnificent and would be a worthy venue.

Stuttgart88
25/04/2014, 7:33 PM
I was at the CL Final in 2005. It was a farce. A disgrace of a venue in a deserted wilderness of a location.

The UEFA / Europa final was in Fenerbahce's stadium a few years back though and that seemed to be a better affair.

The FAI is quite savvy these days and Delaney floats around the UEFA corridors of power quite smoothly. The 2 airport terminals is important and the explicit support of various public bodies and the key security, transport and hospitality stakeholders is the type of thing UEFA likes. I think we've a decent chance.

BonnieShels
25/04/2014, 7:41 PM
They've apparently pulled out of the running for the finals


Yeah. Concentrating on a solo bid for 2024.

Crosby87
25/04/2014, 8:01 PM
I think we've a decent chance.

It's a great chance if you factor in rumors that the FAI sent UEFA brass several large buckets of Crackbird just in time for lunch recently.
(Unfortunately they forgot napkins.)

DeLorean
26/04/2014, 1:05 PM
Not sure what has become of Spain, Wales and Belgium's bids but the it's now between Munich and London to host the semi finals and final.

BBC Football (http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/27171291)

DeLorean
28/04/2014, 11:55 AM
40% comes down to the stadium itself. This would surely give Wales a significant edge over us.

Wales confident over Euro 2020 bid (http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/27173319)

paul_oshea
28/04/2014, 12:27 PM
It's a great chance if you factor in rumors that the FAI sent UEFA brass several large buckets of Crackbird just in time for lunch recently.
(Unfortunately they forgot napkins.)

I had planned on getting to crackbirds this weekend, but by the time i got to croke park and back hadn't time to get there. That and the fact that I loved paying almost 7euro for a pint of heineken that i didnt leave early enough.

Nxt time crosby, il let you know if the standard has been kept.