Dundalk's pitch and ground discussion thread.

[Nesta99]

Maximum impact...No I phrased it badly, i wasnt suggesting that his shop should boycotted. I was more saying that he is playing a risky game and could jepordise his reputation and his ongoing business interests. He is putting his notoriously difficult nature in a very public domain and I am surprised some of his closest associates haven't had a quiet word of advice.

[Ezeikial]

A packet of Tayto for anyone who manages to say anything original here...................

[patrickccfc]

A packet of Tayto for anyone who manages to say anything original here...................

Cheese and onion :cool:

[nigel-harps1954]

A packet of Tayto for anyone who manages to say anything original here...................

The lines were painted on crooked when Harps played there.

[White Horse]

The lines were painted on crooked when Harps played there.

That was the pre-match pints of Harp.

[nigel-harps1954]

That was the pre-match pints of Harp.

That stuff is good in name only.

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

A packet of Tayto for anyone who manages to say anything original here...................

It's a great pitch. Everyone loves playing on it.

[patrickccfc]

It's a great pitch. Everyone loves playing on it.

Funny how nobody complains if you happen to beat dundalk on their own "turf"

[vinnie]

Should we not start giving out about the unfair advantage they get from their new Scoreboard now ?

[Nesta99]

Should we not start giving out about the unfair advantage they get from their new Scoreboard now ?

Its only half an advantage as only half the crowd can see it as has been the predictable complaints on everything by some of us Dundalk natives:rolleyes:

[RathfarnhamHoop]

now I wasn't born until after Milltown was knocked down so maybe my view of it has only been made from picture that flatter it but is it just me or does Oriel look like a bad version of Milltown?

[Nesta99]

Bad version? At the time that Milltown was open they were both among the better grounds in the league. If anything Oriel was in better nick at the time. They were similar in that the stand was of similar size and then a generally open type ground of terracing. Oriel has stood still and is now a relic of bygone era of football ground on this island and lower English leagues. There is a photo of Turners Cross from 1991 I think here somewhere and it was all grass banking but now is much they type and size of ground we all should have.

[White Horse]

now I wasn't born until after Milltown was knocked down so maybe my view of it has only been made from picture that flatter it but is it just me or does Oriel look like a bad version of Milltown?

They were both from a similar era so shared some charateristics, particularly when Oriel Park had the larger terrace at the shed side. Milltown was a much bigger stadium though.

[oriel]

I been to Milltown about 10 times before it closed in 87, without doubt one of my favourite ever LOI grounds. I loved the deep terrace and high roof all along one side, almost like Tolka back in the day but with a much longer roof. Behind both goals were open terracing but proper terracing with crash barriers. On the camera side the stand was probably 2/3 the size of oriel park now, but not as high. To be fair that side is almost similar to oriel park before any new seating was installed.

I always thought Milltown had the appearance of a div 3 ground in England (now lge 1), if memory serves me right, the pitch was usually of a very high standard too. I think floodlights only went in quite late though, maybe only for its last 4 or 5 years, always thought that strange as Oriel got lights in 1967, not sure when Tolka got lights but I do remember back in the day when all teams played on Sunday's, that only oriel, dalymount, possibly tolka and later mill town had 3.30 kick offs all year round. The rest were 2.15 in the winter and 3.30 sept to October, then from start of March.

Edit. I forgot Milltown also had a little stand behind the goal, in the corner of the entrance side too.

[RathfarnhamHoop]

Yeah I think its probably a bit unfair of me to compare photos of a stadium in its prime to a stadium that has been around a while needs some work done on it. It was just I saw some photos of Milltown the other day and thought that it looked very similar to Oriel with the small stand on one side and a covered standing area on the other side. Except the terraces behind each goal i thought put it ahead of Oriel but again probably unfair comparing the two of them.
I have heard that the Milltown pitch was on par with the best in England at one point and a few former Rovers players I know said it played a part in them signing for Rovers because they liked to play on the ground and it was the best pitch in Ireland to do that on.

[Nesta99]

Ah I dont think its an unfair comparison as there were definitely similarities. One is gone and the other has changed little really since '87 and before even bar cosmetic improvement. Dont recall much about the pitch in Milltown but as this thread has had mentioned only half or so of games are played on good/bad surfaces but I dont recall it being mentioned tbh. It is hard to consider that during the mid to late 80's and prior these were considered acceptable and even modern, certainly by irish standards. Opinion on what a modern ground was changed dramatically after Bradford, Hysel, and Hillsborough obviously. Not that with attendances here at the time crowd congestion or crush wouldnt have been top of the list of safety concerns. That said I still cant imagine 18,000 odd people in Oriel on a couple of European nights - just seems nuts looking at the old place now or the temporary extension of the stand being planks on blocks (or maybe building scaffold?) when you consider that 5000 at the league decider with Cork seemed pretty packed.

[wonder88]

During one of my first games in Terryland I remember overhearing some men near me describe Ballybofey as a great soccer ground, which compared to where we were was true I suppose. As Oriel park is proving these days facilities are not the most important factor in attracting crowds to LoI matches. Also in relation to kick off times, was 2.30 the early-ist even in the Dec/Jan months? Pats one season fixed some games for Sunday morning when live English soccer on tv started, in order to boast crowds numbers. Any of their fans know how long this experiment lasted?

[oriel]

Kick off times for most clubs without floodlights, all bar oriel park, dalymount, tolka and later milltown, varied from 2.15 in deep winter to 2.30, then changed to 3.30 in brighter months to follow suit with the floodlight grounds. All on Sunday's. I think the changeover to night time kick offs was around the same time as sky came onboard to show live TV in England as I think clubs got compensation towards their initial floodlights that were put up.

I'm not sure when Dundalk changed to night time first,maybe around 1991, I remember most of the double winning season of 1987/88 played on Sunday afternoons. They also went with Thussday nights and this continued right up to their last season the FD (7 continuous mostly dreadful seasons too) and changed to Friday nights from first season back in 2009.

Interesting point someone made on better facilities and if this would attract more crowds, I think Dundalk are probably close to their max average with the current avg of 3,300, however better facilities would have a better chance of keeping this at that level for leaner seasons, and ofcourse what is on offer to away fans going on the terrace is simply not good enough presently.

[Nesta99]

I'd love to know a bit more about the SKY money for floodlights back early '90s. Was it money to the FAI/League that could be borrowed against to install or upgrade existing floodlights? I have a vague recollection of it at the time but have no idea of the reasoning. I also think that prizemoney was withheld or part of it to repay the SKY 'loan' as some sort of deal fell through and the SKY money didnt materialise in the end. Was about 12 years when this chat was going on so struggling with the detail.

[wonder88]

All clubs got floodlights at the time, so money must have come from Sky, but I have no details on how it was distributed to clubs etc. Do anyone know the year when games moved to Friday night and was it a central league decision? Also UCD had their games on Thursday for many seasons, in order to catch the students before they went home I suppose. Other pick Saturday night of course. It be interesting to find out where is the UCD support coming from, students, ex students, staff or local area?
There was live tv English soccer before Sky, ITV used to broadcast on Sunday afternoon and some clubs used to try and avoid a clash with that as well.

[Hitman]

Have we had the positioning of the away dugout in Oriel yet?

[White Horse]

That is a new one. Kenny Shiels is out with a tape measure at half time though.

[Nesta99]

Away dugout close enough for Caulfield and Fenlon to get themselves heard by the 4th official but sure we can add it to the list. Dugouts in United Park are practically both in the same half of the pitch so there will be fun when Derry visits in the Cup.

[Charlie Darwin]

Away dugout close enough for Caulfield and Fenlon to get themselves heard by the 4th official but sure we can add it to the list. Dugouts in United Park are practically both in the same half of the pitch so there will be fun when Derry visits in the Cup.
You could put the dugout across the street from the stadium and it'd still be close enough for Nutsy to make himself heard by the fourth official.

[Nesta99]

Fenlon's mind games guru and anger management sponsor!


http://foot.ie/attachment.php?attachmentid=2417&stc=1

[Ezeikial]

Oriel is the worst pitch in the country - says McCormack

Read more: http://www.derryjournal.com/sport/derry-city-news/oriel-is-the-worst-pitch-in-the-country-says-mccormack-1-7306838#ixzz44f3KRQSl



Conor McCormack gets red carded for the 3rd successive match against Dundalk

The pitch and the poor away section are clearly to blame

[El-Pietro]

You can't honestly think he deserved that second yellow. It wasn't even a foul. Not even close.

[White Horse]

You can't honestly think he deserved that second yellow. It wasn't even a foul. Not even close.

He could have been booked for several other fouls but the one he was sent off for wasn't a booking. Ref had lost the game at that stage.

[Ezeikial]

You can't honestly think he deserved that second yellow. It wasn't even a foul. Not even close.

I had a poor view of that one, so I don't really know about that incident.

McCormacks record of a hatrick of red cards is hardly even matched by Dermot Keely in his hacking prime

[Nesta99]

I had a poor view of that one, so I don't really know about that incident.

McCormacks record of a hatrick of red cards is hardly even matched by Dermot Keely in his hacking prime

You must have been in the away section so or sitting beside Shiels, or sitting in the away section of the stand...

[Ezeikial]

You must have been in the away section so or sitting beside Shiels, or sitting in the away section of the stand...

haha - I was right beside the away section in the stand (but I was also distracted 'cause I was munching on a packet of Tayto)

[Nesta99]

Should have held on to the crisps for the visit of Longford to torment them with!

[Martinho II]

think that Sky deal was in 1994 as our floodlights were turned on that year in 94/95 season in 1995 as have a programme of that game in Mullogher when our floodlights first came on..

[seand]

I had a poor view of that one, so I don't really know about that incident.

McCormacks record of a hatrick of red cards is hardly even matched by Dermot Keely in his hacking prime

Reminiscent of Killian Brennan's glorious run of 7 games v Dundalk while at Pats: Yellow, Red, Yellow, Red, Yellow, Yellow (subbed off), Red

[Nesta99]

Well it seems as if the leagues most tested and scrutinised pitch has defied much opinion and has been deemed of sufficient standard for Europe's or even the worlds premier club competition.

I doubt Oriel Park's other infrastructure will be passed so easily!

[Charlie Darwin]

Well it seems as if the leagues most tested and scrutinised pitch has defied much opinion and has been deemed of sufficient standard for Europe's or even the worlds premier club competition.

I doubt Oriel Park's other infrastructure will be passed so easily!
What are FIFA's toilet requirements?

[Nesta99]

Hooligan proof or none at all depending on the visitors...

[Ezeikial]

On the day that the Oriel Park pitch yet again passes UEFA inspection


Dundalk FC ‏@DundalkFC (https://twitter.com/DundalkFC) 17h17 hours ago (https://twitter.com/DundalkFC/status/726089404184449025)
We can confirm that @DundalkFC (https://twitter.com/DundalkFC) has received a 2-Star FIFA pitch cert after tests this week making Oriel Park eligible for UEFA competition.



It is really ironic that Dundalk extend their unbeaten away record on a Dalymount Park surface that is more akin to a ploughed field.

Oriel Park pitch may be derided in many quarters, but it is a vastly superior playing surface to the current condition of many grass pitches around the league

[oriel]

On the day that the Oriel Park pitch yet again passes UEFA inspection



It is really ironic that Dundalk extend their unbeaten away record on a Dalymount Park surface that is more akin to a ploughed field.

Oriel Park pitch may be derided in many quarters, but it is a vastly superior playing surface to the current condition of many grass pitches around the league

It was dreadful last night, bumps all over the place, looked like zero work was done on it. That used to be a nice surface too.

[Yossarian]

It is really ironic that Dundalk extend their unbeaten away record on a Dalymount Park surface that is more akin to a ploughed field.


I actually couldn't believe how bad the surface was last night, it was like a herd of cows had been on it all week. But of course it will get no mention because it is grass. People can slate the pitch in Oriel all they like, and I agree it isn't great, but it is in much better condition than a fair few grass pitches in the league.

[The Donie Forde]

Those UEFA boys do love a bung!

[White Horse]

I actually couldn't believe how bad the surface was last night, it was like a herd of cows had been on it all week. But of course it will get no mention because it is grass. People can slate the pitch in Oriel all they like, and I agree it isn't great, but it is in much better condition than a fair few grass pitches in the league.

I listened to interviews with Stephen Kenny and Keith Long after the game last night.

I wasn't surprised to hear Kenny slate the pitch and say it was the worst pitch Dundalk have played on this season. What did surprise me was to hear Keith Long complain that the pitch is holding Bohs back.

[Charlie Darwin]

Everybody knows the state of the Dalymount pitch. You can see the lines are wonky for god's sake. Oriel is still awful too.

[White Horse]

Everybody knows the state of the Dalymount pitch. You can see the lines are wonky for god's sake. Oriel is still awful too.

Yet only one pitch has a dedicated thread.

I wonder whether UCD and Cabo would have preferred to play in Oriel last night.

[Ezeikial]

Yet only one pitch has a dedicated thread.



But without enough posts; even visiting managers are whinging less for heavens sake!

The aura of invincibility and 'unfair advantage' accusations are slipping. We need another pitch watering type controversy (when are Rovers visitors?)

[Nesta99]

But without enough posts;

We should ask admin to expand the title to pitch, ground and dugout positioning to increase some traffic. Actually now that you say the pitch has ceased to be the 2nd word out of Brian Kerr's mouth when Dundalk is discussed so something has to be done to talk up this incredible advantage - maybe that's why home form has dipped a little this season with no plastic pitch sicknotes among the visitors or watering scandals or managers putting the fear of god in to their players on the way to Oriel?!

[oriel]

Everybody knows the state of the Dalymount pitch. You can see the lines are wonky for god's sake. Oriel is still awful too.

At least the one in oriel park is even, dalymount looked pure dangerous the other night. One of the worst grass surfaces I've seen in years.

[Martinho II]

At least the one in oriel park is even, dalymount looked pure dangerous the other night. One of the worst grass surfaces I've seen in years.

heard martin o neill concerned with turners cross pitch as it is used by loads of clubs. so Bohs arent alone there!

[nigel-harps1954]

heard martin o neill concerned with turners cross pitch as it is used by loads of clubs. so Bohs arent alone there!

Pitch in Turners Cross not in the best condition at the minute at all. Very bumpy when Harps played there last week.

[ForzaForth]

There was a huge mound of sand in the car park in Ferrycarrig at the Harps match last Friday. The second pitch looked as if it had already been sanded, so I presume they're going to sand the main pitch as well. Would there be fertiliser in it to encourage grass growth?

A lot of progress has recently been made on the new toilet block as well. It looks almost finished.