Best and worst League stadia of all time

[GUFCghost]

Besides Tallaght

[Paddyfield]

Best:
Turners Cross

Worst:
Terryland (pre 1993)

[Doomofman]

Best:
Turners Cross

Worst:
Brandywell (for atmosphere)

[SkStu]

Besides Tallaght

come on GUFCg, Shamrock Rovers are not the only team in either league to not own their own ground. If youre going to let the others in you might as well let the SDCC Stadium in on it too. Fairs fair.

[sheao]

Best: Tallaght or Turners Cross
Worst: United Park .

[weecountyman]

Best: Oriel (way back when)
Worst: Dalymount (circa 1997)

[Nedser]

Best: Oriel (way back when)
Worst: Dalymount (circa 1997)

You seriously believe Dalymount in the late 90s was the worst stadium ever in the history of the LOI? What a ridiculous statement.

[weecountyman]

You seriously believe Dalymount in the late 90s was the worst stadium ever in the history of the LOI? What a ridiculous statement.

Last I saw it was down to considered personal experiences and opinions, and thankfully the thought nazi's haven't taken over that role yet. Igorant and aggressive stewards, a crush barrier tumbling during a UEFA Cup match, horrible toilet and food facilities, and lack of atmosphere (especially when compared with my first time there watching a game with Dresden). There were worst stadia I had the pleasure of visiting, but in the mid-late 90's it wasn't the best. However you should venture your own opinion, maybe?

[Nedser]

Last I saw it was down to considered personal experiences and opinions, and thankfully the thought nazi's haven't taken over that role yet. Igorant and aggressive stewards, a crush barrier tumbling during a UEFA Cup match, horrible toilet and food facilities, and lack of atmosphere (especially when compared with my first time there watching a game with Dresden). There were worst stadia I had the pleasure of visiting, but in the mid-late 90's it wasn't the best. However you should venture your own opinion, maybe?

I'm not saying Dalyer is or ever was without faults, I just said it's ridiculous to claim it's the worst LOI stadium ever. And given that you now admit you have visited worse stadia, it seems you don't even agree with yourself!

My opinion:
Best - Tolka, by a mile.
Worst - too many embarrassingly dire grounds to decide between. Rathbane, St Mels, The Iveagh Grounds, Whitehall, Bishopstown, Gortakeegan, Finn Park, Belfield, Santry, Harold's Cross and probably others I've left out too ......... All considerably worse than Dalyer, even at its most decrepit.

[weecountyman]

I'm not saying Dalyer is or ever was without faults, I just said it's ridiculous to claim it's the worst LOI stadium ever. And given that you now admit you have visited worse stadia, it seems you don't even agree with yourself!

My opinion:
Best - Tolka, by a mile.
Worst - too many embarrassingly dire grounds to decide between. Rathbane, St Mels, The Iveagh Grounds, Whitehall, Bishopstown, Gortakeegan, Finn Park, Belfield, Santry, Harold's Cross and probably others I've left out too ......... All considerably worse than Dalyer, even at its most decrepit.

Having played in and watched games in Tolka through the 80's and into the 90's, it certainly has been flattered by the redevelopments in the mid-late 90's, however everyone is entitled to their opinion.

It's good you've given an opinion, and no reason to attack others on their decisions needed. TIA

[WoodquayBoy]

Best: Turners Cross/Tallaght
Worst: St Mels/United Park

[Nedser]

It's good you've given an opinion, and no reason to attack others on their decisions needed. TIA

It's a bit of a stretch to say I "attacked" you. :rolleyes: Lighten up

[West Cork Exile]

Best: Turners Cross
Best welcome: Brandywell (always will be unless we get a social club!!)
Worst: Rathbane in the early 90s

[marinobohs]

You seriously believe Dalymount in the late 90s was the worst stadium ever in the history of the LOI? What a ridiculous statement.

not often (never) you get "oriel" and "best ground" in the same sentence either ! obvously not as an away fan.

[OneRedArmy]

Best:
Turners Cross

Worst:
Brandywell (for atmosphere)God help your future football watching if you think the Brandywell has the worst atmosphere ever. Richmond is hardly La Bombonera.

Abbeycarton is the worst in my experience, shading Pike Rovers ground by a short head.

[Acornvilla]

abbeycarton is were i played my first game of footie ever as a young U9 UCL harps player :) i think we won 2-0!

[D.24saint]

Best: Turners Cross
Worst: Jackman Park

[De Town]

abbeycarton is were i played my first game of footie ever as a young U9 UCL harps player :) i think we won 2-0!

Oh yeah Abbeycartron was graced with the supreme talent of my good self on manys an occasion as well! :D

[El-Pietro]

Someone commented on Bishopstown earlier in this thread. I was actually out there today helping clean up and it is in surprisingly good condition. Its not quite ready to host games but its not a bad training ground.

It looks like when it was built there were great ideas for what it could become, but no proper plans were put in place.

[Riddickcule]

Best : Turners Cross

Worst: The Carlisle

[Candystripe]

Best: Turners Cross
Worst: Jackman Park

Agreed.

[Cold Night]

In terms of disapointment, Dalymount is up there, given the way the ground seems to have more value as a car park than a football stadium.

The first time I went to Dalymount was to the friendly between Ireland and France (Andy Townsends first game). The athmosphere was electric, though the game was a dour 0-0.

The stadium since then has fallen into disrepair (Jodie stand excepted), which is a terrible pity.

I'd love to see League of Ireland clubs either strike deals with builders who need the work, for affordable up to date facilities, or 'do a Rovers' and get local authorites involved in community stadiums, which have worked wonders in attracting the punters into league of ireland games in Tallaght.

[MeathDrog]

The away section in Oriel Park needs sorting out. Probably the worst in the League.

[Nedser]

I'd love to see League of Ireland clubs either strike deals with builders who need the work, for affordable up to date facilities

Eh, are you being serious here or trying to have a sly dig at Bohs? I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume it was a genuine comment. "Deals" with builders are something of a minefield these days. You might find the following to be of some interest:

http://archives.tcm.ie/businesspost/2006/05/07/story14047.asp
[/URL]http://www.independent.ie/national-news/bohemians-say-yes-to-the-sale-of-dalymount-park-in-65m-deal-76942.html (http://www.joanburton.ie/?postid=375)
[URL]http://www.herald.ie/sport/soccer/bohemians-lose-court-case-over-dalymount---euro60m-deal-now-in-doubt-1528137.html
http://www.eleven-a-side.com/bohemians/news.asp?n=36476

[shep]

The away section in Oriel Park needs sorting out. Probably the worst in the League.

You obviously have never been to Jackman Park

[SeanDrog]

Worst: Jackman Park

I drove all the way down for a game there when we were ithe 1st (many moons ago), bloodly hell it was the worst by a mile. In parts the specators are lower than the pitch (I kid you not). :0

As for its so called covered terrace ... less said the better ... you owuld ahve been better holding a match in the local park.

[marinobohs]

In terms of disapointment, Dalymount is up there, given the way the ground seems to have more value as a car park than a football stadium.

The first time I went to Dalymount was to the friendly between Ireland and France (Andy Townsends first game). The athmosphere was electric, though the game was a dour 0-0.

The stadium since then has fallen into disrepair (Jodie stand excepted), which is a terrible pity.

I'd love to see League of Ireland clubs either strike deals with builders who need the work, for affordable up to date facilities, or 'do a Rovers' and get local authorites involved in community stadiums, which have worked wonders in attracting the punters into league of ireland games in Tallaght.

The sad fact is the revenue from the car park is keeping Dalymount going. not sure what "deals" we should do with builders (there is a limit on how many we can sell the ground to :D) and as for the costs coming down - there is No money available at Bohs so unless they want to work for nothing i'm afraid thats no use either !
Again, unfortunately, the Jodi stand is sufficent for bohs needs so the focus is on that. The "build it and they will come argument" does not stack up - Turners cross is a better ground than Tallaght and look at what happened there.

[osarusan]

Worst: Jackman Park

I drove all the way down for a game there when we were ithe 1st (many moons ago), bloodly hell it was the worst by a mile. In parts the specators are lower than the pitch (I kid you not). :0

As for its so called covered terrace ... less said the better ... you owuld ahve been better holding a match in the local park.
It is the local park.

[SeanDrog]

:) laugh or cry ... I don't know which , I will revert ......

[joeSoap]

Best: Markets Field
Worst: Hogan Park (Rathbane)

[Mr A]

Surprised at all the people saying Jackman Park is the worst ground ever. It's not even the worst Limerick ground in the last 10 years FFS! Hogan Park and Pike Rovers were both worse.

[SkStu]

The sad fact is the revenue from the car park is keeping Dalymount going. not sure what "deals" we should do with builders (there is a limit on how many we can sell the ground to :D) and as for the costs coming down - there is No money available at Bohs so unless they want to work for nothing i'm afraid thats no use either !
Again, unfortunately, the Jodi stand is sufficent for bohs needs so the focus is on that. The "build it and they will come argument" does not stack up - Turners cross is a better ground than Tallaght and look at what happened there.

the bolded bits is what it boils down to.

[Raheen]

Best:
Turners Cross

Worst:
Terryland (pre 1993)

Ahhh, Terryland pre-93, those were the days.

Best: Turner's Cross (although Buckley Park was/is a gem)
Worst: Newcastle[west] United

[Martinho II]

Ahhh, Terryland pre-93, those were the days.

Best: Turner's Cross (although Buckley Park was/is a gem)
Worst: Newcastle[west] United

why wot was the difference between terryland today and pre 93 raheen?

[Onefootednopace]

Best - Turners Cross / Tallaght

Worst- Bishopstown / St Mels Pk

[Guitd]

why wot was the difference between terryland today and pre 93 raheen?

it was closed for 2 seasons 93-95,pitch was turned 180 degrees and totaly rebuilt was a kip with wooden portocabins as dressingrooms then

[MeathDrog]

You obviously have never been to Jackman Park

No I've heard it's bad, but it was the first time in about 5 years that I had been to the away section in Oriel last Sunday and the away area has actually worsened.

[dong]

The sad fact is the revenue from the car park is keeping Dalymount going. not sure what "deals" we should do with builders (there is a limit on how many we can sell the ground to :D) and as for the costs coming down - there is No money available at Bohs so unless they want to work for nothing i'm afraid thats no use either !
Again, unfortunately, the Jodi stand is sufficent for bohs needs so the focus is on that. The "build it and they will come argument" does not stack up - Turners cross is a better ground than Tallaght and look at what happened there.

This is a typical League of Ireland Attitude though with all due respect Marino. What about the money that Bohs have spent on assembling the massive squad you've got? Okay, in Boh's case there would be no point as Dalymount will be sold as soon as the market has recovered (whenever that might be), but why are clubs not being forced to upgrade their facilities? A few grand put away each year for five years would put a roof on the away section at Oriel, rather on flitting it away on Darren Mansaram's wages all the time. You have to give spectators a bit more than standing out in the elements for God's sake. And I know Dundalk fans will say that you don't have to stand in that section. Well that doesn't cut it for me and it shouldn't cut it full stop. The Jinks stand in the Showgrounds is pretty bad as well if I'm honest. Most clubs have serious work that could be carried out but that's another thread.
Also, the problem at Cork was never really the crowds that they were getting in, it was a pile of other stuff as we all know now.
PS: They built it in Tallaght and they did come.:bottle::bottle:

[SkStu]

does anyone remember (because im sure i do) when the FAI about 10-12 years ago were issuing grants for ground improvement through the Government but they were stopped after certain clubs misappropriated the funds. I believe we were due to receive around 150k but it never came through because of it. Anyone else remember something like this or am i way off?

[Nedser]

This is a typical League of Ireland Attitude though with all due respect Marino. What about the money that Bohs have spent on assembling the massive squad you've got? Okay, in Boh's case there would be no point as Dalymount will be sold as soon as the market has recovered (whenever that might be), but why are clubs not being forced to upgrade their facilities?

A few grand put away each year for five years would put a roof on the away section at Oriel, rather on flitting it away on Darren Mansaram's wages all the time. You have to give spectators a bit more than standing out in the elements for God's sake. And I know Dundalk fans will say that you don't have to stand in that section. Well that doesn't cut it for me and it shouldn't cut it full stop. The Jinks stand in the Showgrounds is pretty bad as well if I'm honest. Most clubs have serious work that could be carried out but that's another thread.
Also, the problem at Cork was never really the crowds that they were getting in, it was a pile of other stuff as we all know now.
PS: They built it in Tallaght and they did come.:bottle::bottle:

I think you're seriously underestimating the cost of building/renovating a stadium. The Jodi Stand cost 1.1 million pounds (EUR1.4 million) to rebuild back in 1999. They didn't even have to rebuild the stand from scratch either, as the bars, dressing rooms etc from the original stand were retained. When you factor in inflation since 1999, you'd be looking at close to EUR2 million to do a similar job now. Most LOI grounds need far more work than that, so they would need literally millions put into them to make them half decent. A few grand each year for five years would barely cover the cost of essential day to day maintenance, there's no way it would pay for any kind of upgrade.

Since you use Tallaght as an example - it cost EUR11.2 million, and it took 9 years and a takeover by a council before it got to a stage where it could be used!! And it's still not exactly a world class stadium either (it's among the best in the LOI, but that really isn't saying much). That kind of money is just way beyond any LOI club, even if they cut their wage bills to the bare minimum. The only prospect of most clubs getting a decent stadium is if new publicly funded stadia are built. It's easy to knock LOI clubs for the poor standard of stadia, but the reality is just like more or less everything else in Ireland, there is no public investment in facilities, and that's the real root cause of the problems. In nearly every other country in the world, most sports stadia are paid for by the taxpayer as they are seen as community assets. Not in Ireland though, everyone here just expects facilities to appear for free.

[shep]

No I've heard it's bad, but it was the first time in about 5 years that I had been to the away section in Oriel last Sunday and the away area has actually worsened.

Admittedly its sh* te but at the end of the day you can always go into the stand,and at least the option of refreshments is available.

[Cold Night]

Pity about Dalymount, it deserves to be better.