Resource Thread For Away Fans

[Mr A]

Was thinking it might be useful for fans of each club to post details that might be useful to visiting fans.

Headings something like:

Does the club provide general info on visiting the ground? (provide links)

Where to have a pint and / or food before, during after game?

If staying over, any recommendations?

Getting to the ground: Is using public transport feasible? Where to park cars? Where to park buses?

Anywhere to avoid near the ground, or anything else away fans should be aware of?

Does your club have an Supporter Liaison Officer, if so, how to contact them?

[Mr A]

For Harps:

Does the club provide general info on visiting the ground? (provide links)

For Harps, general info on visiting Finn Park and the Twin Town can be found here: http://www.finnharps.com/fhfc/?page_id=1243
For big games, more specific information may be provided. In the first division I would expect few of these as segregation will usually be unnecessary, but here's an example from last year. http://www.finnharps.com/fhfc/?p=5298

Where to have a pint and / or food before, during after game?
Ballybofey has plenty of pubs and restaurants close to Finn Park. Barretts Bar is close to the ground on the Main Street and is where you are most likely to find home fans. Heaney's on Navenney Street is good too and popular for food. Navenney Grill is a chipper near Finn Park and the China Tower isn't too far away on the Main Street if that's what you're after. The food inside Finn Park is very cheap and the soup is absolutely legendary.

If staying over, any recommendations?
This is actually a tricky one for home fans to answer! But there is plenty of accommodation in the Twin Towns. Some prefer to stay in Letterkenny, again with lots of choice in terms of B+Bs and hotels.

Getting to the ground: Is using public transport feasible? Where to park cars? Where to park buses?

See links above, the first has a map with parking on it. Unless you're very tight on time bus parking should be easy enough, if tight on time use the Aldi car Park to drop off and can pick up there too, although it closes at 10pm. Public transport not really an option for getting home unless you stay over.

Anywhere to avoid near the ground, or anything else away fans should be aware of?

Nowhere to avoid particularly. Note for most games there are not a lot of Harps fans in the pub before hand as our support is so spread out. Note that if segregation is in place away fans usually have no cover. Unfortunate but that's the way things are until our long awaited move happens. Again- note the Aldi Car Park closes at 10, so make sure you get out before that if using it (and there are plenty of options anyway).

Does you club have an SLO (Support Liaison Officer), if so, how to contact them?

Yep. That would be me. Email aidanmcnelis @ finnharps DOT com.

[Mr A]

Also- feel free to post here anything like:

If clubs are having deals or there's connections with local business for specials or deals.
Also throughout the year posters could mentions events around a town that fans may be interested in. Popular outside events can put pressure on accommodation and traffic.
The thread could be an on-going heads up/reminder on local info for travelling fans.

[nigel-harps1954]

Barca Bar is closed now. The owner took over Barretts Bar on the main street in Ballybofey.

[Mr A]

That seems kinda mad- moving from a big place to a really small one. I guess that's where the trade is at.. is it still called Barrett's?

[nigel-harps1954]

Afaik the building in which he rented the Bara Bar was sold and he was forced into moving. Barretts Bar not changed name, it's bigger now too, off licence removed and there's a decent sized lounge in it now.

It'd be a grand spot for a pint for anyone visiting Ballybofey.

[Martinho II]

Mr A for the ones that are travelling up by Bus Eireann to Ballybofey is there a particular bus number to go from Letterkenny for those travelling from Dublin? Its ok for me as I can get a connecting bus from Sligo to Derry when coming from Longford.

[nigel-harps1954]

Mr A for the ones that are travelling up by Bus Eireann to Ballybofey is there a particular bus number to go from Letterkenny for those travelling from Dublin? Its ok for me as I can get a connecting bus from Sligo to Derry when coming from Longford.

When coming from Dublin you'd be getting the number 32 bus to Letterkenny, or you can get the 30 bus to Donegal Town and conection from there.
Number 64 or 480 gets you from Sligo to Ballybofey, likewise Letterkenny to Ballybofey.

Bus Feda also serves Sligo/Ballybofey/Letterkenny route, is much quicker, and cheaper too.

[ToberonaTornado]

Dundalk:

Does the club provide general info on visiting the ground? (provide links

The club provide general info for 'BIG' match nights on social media and on their website.

http://www.dundalkfc.com/ - http://www.dundalkfc.com/club/matchday-information/
https://twitter.com/DundalkFC
https://www.facebook.com/DundalkFC/

Where to have a pint and / or food before, during after game?

Pubs close to the ground:
Kennedys(opposite the Railway Station) McGuinness',The Wee House.
For food: also Kennedys,The Jockeys and The Windsor.

If staying over, any recommendations?

Close to the ground:

Glengat b&b,Lismar b&b,Krakow b&b,Inisfree House b&b.


Getting to the ground: Is using public transport feasible? Where to park cars? Where to park buses?

The train station in Dundalk is less than a KM from the ground.There are no bus links but a taxi from within the town area is generally priced at €8.
Sevens Cabs: 042 93 77777
Fives Cabs: 042 93 55555

Anywhere to avoid near the ground, or anything else away fans should be aware of?

Try not to get isolated from friends or your supporters especially on 'BIG' match nights.

Does you club have an SLO, if so, how to contact them?

Robbie Mackin is Dundalk's SLO.(i cant find a contact number or e-mail for him so i'd just go http://www.dundalkfc.com/club/contact-information/ and put his name in the subject heading)

[outspoken]

Does the club provide general info on visiting the ground? (provide links): No

Pub/food: As you all know we are 3km outside the town so can only really recommend the Longford Arms hotel for food at that hour otherwise it’s one of the many chippers in the town. Valentines best place for a pint.

Staying over: Longford Arms is only hotel in town it’s a dump. There’s a few B and B’s but not sure of them.

Getting to ground: €7 in a Taxi or for those driving we’ve a huge and free to use car park at the ground.

Avoid: Not really, like any town it has its issues at night so wouldn’t go off alone.

SLO: Not that I’m aware of

[Martinho II]

Does the club provide general info on visiting the ground? (provide links): No

Pub/food: As you all know we are 3km outside the town so can only really recommend the Longford Arms hotel for food at that hour otherwise it’s one of the many chippers in the town. Valentines best place for a pint.

Staying over: Longford Arms is only hotel in town it’s a dump. There’s a few B and B’s but not sure of them.

Getting to ground: €7 in a Taxi or for those driving we’ve a huge and free to use car park at the ground.

Avoid: Not really, like any town it has its issues at night so wouldn’t go off alone.

SLO: Not that I’m aware of

for accomodation you have Keenans in Tarmonbarry which is a hotel just up the road towards Westport or in Rathowen Feericks which is a hotel also..

[bennocelt]

Was thinking it might be useful for fans of each club to post details that might be useful to visiting fans.

Headings something like:

Does the club provide general info on visiting the ground? (provide links)

Where to have a pint and / or food before, during after game?

If staying over, any recommendations?

Getting to the ground: Is using public transport feasible? Where to park cars? Where to park buses?

Anywhere to avoid near the ground, or anything else away fans should be aware of?

Does your club have an SLO, if so, how to contact them?

SLO? San Luis Obispo?

[Eminence Grise]

SLO = Spaceship Landing Officer. Handy for fans for whom there is no direct bus service.

[oriel]

Worth also mentioning that car parking has usually dozens of spaces in the train station opposite Kennedy’s pub in Dundalk just before 6 when the first of the Dublin commuter trains get in, but do pay the parking as they clamp. The pub itself opposite is a good sponsor of the club, they usually sponsor two games per year so it’s a good football pub. Food served before 6 and as long as you go in small groups, should be fine for most away fans. Even had well behaved Rovers fans in for the cup semi final last season !

[Bawnville Hoop]

Dundalk:


Anywhere to avoid near the ground, or anything else away fans should be aware of?



Away end is like a halting site.

There's no female toilets, a 15 minute row and paying for the main stand to use the home section may suffice.

They've no plans to upgrade facilities for away fans

[outspoken]

Worth also mentioning that car parking has usually dozens of spaces in the train station opposite Kennedy’s pub in Dundalk just before 6 when the first of the Dublin commuter trains get in, but do pay the parking as they clamp. The pub itself opposite is a good sponsor of the club, they usually sponsor two games per year so it’s a good football pub. Food served before 6 and as long as you go in small groups, should be fine for most away fans. Even had well behaved Rovers fans in for the cup semi final last season !

For a so called ‘’football pub’’ Kennedy’s are to keen on the old pre match singing.

[outspoken]

I think you mentioned this before. That’s certainly not the type of pub they want, I’ve seen loads of away fans there mainly of the older persuasion let’s say, and it’s generally a nice atmosphere with a lot of mingling and chatting away to the locals.

Ah yeah it’s a lovely pub especially the smoking area out the back and as you said locals are more than friendly just when someone says ‘’football pub’’ it’s a different image you get. Think Bover from Green Street and glasses flying everywhere 😂😂

[RathfarnhamHoop]

I can’t understand why away fans won’t pay the extra fiver and go into the stand in oriel park. If that was me I’d go straight to the stand. It’s quite a good view in the 100-150 or so seats reserved for most matches plus you have access to facilities. A good lot of away fans also get into the bars in the stand too. I often chatted to Bohs fans in particular in the main bar pre match.

When the redevelopment finally starts, I do think though that the current away terrace section will probably be the last to improve.

Its only 100-150 though so not possible for everyone to do that, best to leave those seats for people who cant really stand for the whole match

[oriel]

The away terrace section in Oriel Park cannot be defended, its a absolute disgrace, then again the view and section to the town side of the stand where a lot of supporters stand is not much better.

I take the point completely that only 100-150 seats are available in the stand for away fans, its nowhere near good enough and unfortunately I don't see this changing for at least a year.

[osarusan]

The away terrace section in Oriel Park cannot be defended, its a absolute disgrace, then again the view and section to the town side of the stand where a lot of supporters stand is not much better.

I take the point completely than only 100-150 seats are available in the stand for away fans, its nowhere near good enough and unfortunately I don't see this changing for at least a year.

Fair play, a decent honest post.

A poster can criticise an aspect of their own club or ground without being a traitor or whatever. I never understand the compulsion to blindly defend everything about a club.

[El-Pietro]

I can't speak for every away fan, but when I go to Oriel I stand on the terrace. I can't imagine paying to sit in the stand because sitting at football isn't my thing, especially at an away game. Many fans don't want to split up their vocal groups so would rather stay out on the terrace even though they can't see all of the pitch and may get wet/cold as a result.
Many more just choose not to go. It will be interesting to see our crowds at Oriel in the two trips we have in the early season. Some will choose to go to the Presidents cup and some to the league game, though most refuse to travel to Oriel in any circumstance.

[Mr A]

Can we try to keep this thread to useful advice for fellow supporters as opposed to one more sniping contest please?

[EatYerGreens]

Amen, Mr A !

Any Waterford fans got info on the RSC to post up ?

[Dalymountrower]

Where to have a pint and / or food before, during after game? :Anyone of the two Dalymount Bars, Back Page for good Pizza and a pint for a tenner. Brian Boru has good pub grub as has Mulligans Stoneybatter

If staying over, any recommendations? Its Dublin, stay with a friend or relative.

Getting to the ground: Is using public transport feasible? Where to park cars? Where to park buses? Buses can be parked by arrangemnt in Daymount Car Park, parking around the streets is safe enough. 2 Luas stops within ten minutes walk, numerous bus routes

Anywhere to avoid near the ground, or anything else away fans should be aware of? If staying for a pint in the ground after the game go to the middle bar

Does your club have an SLO, if so, how to contact them? Contactable through the Bohs web site I think

[bluemovie]

Blues

Does the club provide general info on visiting the ground? (provide links)

It will by the time the season starts, available at www.waterfordfc.ie

Where to have a pint and / or food before, during after game?

The RSC is notoriously probably the furthest from a pub of any ground in the league. It's a 10-15 minute walk from the city centre where there are plenty of pubs and food outlets to choose from. Our local is Norris's on Barrack Street and FRIENDLY away fans will always be well looked after there if you want to meet the home fans. Best give us a bit of advance notice though. There's a McDonalds with drive-thru and a Rockin Joe's diner beside the RSC. Aldi and SuperValu beside the ground too. If anyone is doing an overnighter, getting in touch on Waterford FC (Blues Supporters) page on Facebook is probably the best bet for advice.

If staying over, any recommendations?

Best hotel deals would probably with The Fitzwilton, Dooleys, Treacys, Travellodge, maybe the Marina. Viking Ramada is too far to walk from the centre but would have good deals.

Getting to the ground: Is using public transport feasible? Where to park cars? Where to park buses?

The 601 bus goes from the bus station on the quay to the RSC. It will probably have Ballybeg/WIT written on the front. But the ground is 10-15 minutes walk from the twon centre as I said.

Anywhere to avoid near the ground, or anything else away fans should be aware of?

Just avoid me if you win! Away fans are going to be in the city side of the new stand this year so you will enter at the SuperValu gate and have the first two blocks I think. Bohs, Dundalk and I think Cork fans would've been there for their most recent visits.

Does your club have an SLO, if so, how to contact them?

It might be me!

[EatYerGreens]

Does your club have an SLO, if so, how to contact them?

It might be me!

Congratulations on your elevation to the role of Secret Liaison Officer.

[pineapple stu]

UCD -

Does the club provide general info on visiting the ground? (provide links)
Yes - here (http://www.ucdsoccer.com/club/directions-to-belfield-bowl). There's also a campus map here (https://www.ucd.ie/t4cms/UCD%20Student%20Centre.pdf) (pdf download); the Bowl is 9.

From the M50, the quickest is to take exit 13 northbound/exit 14 southbound, head for Sandyford but keep in the left lane and go straight along the Drummartin Link Road (yes, that sounds a bit confusing - and it is a bit confusing in reality too). Then keep heading straight for about ten minutes and you'll come to the Clonskeagh entrance, which is the best one to go in.

Where to have a pint and / or food before, during after game?
Nearest is the Clubhouse Bar on campus (70 on the map); pizzas available until late (you can still get them after the game). It's less than a 5-minute walk from the ground. Donnybrook is less than a mile away as well - Kiely's does food. And obviously you can be at a bus stop in 10 minutes, and it's 15 minutes into town.

If staying over, any recommendations?
As above - there's plenty of buses to take you into town, so really any B&B/hostel/hotel in Dublin city centre is an option. Note the Montrose Hotel across the way from the ground is long gone.

Getting to the ground: Is using public transport feasible? Where to park cars? Where to park buses?
Lots of public transport options. DART and Luas are about a 30-minute walk from the ground - Booterstown and Windy Arbour stations respectively. Bus is the best by far; there's plenty of buses that go out the Stillorgan Road and up the flyover at the entrance to the campus; the 46A and 145 are the most convenient. But you're quicker getting off at RTÉ and walking up Greenfield Road; the ground is at the end of the estate. From the other side, the 11 passes by the Clonskeagh gate, which is about a 10-minute walk from the ground. Stillorgan, Greenfield and Clonskeagh entrances all marked on the map.

There's plenty of parking - best is to drive in the Clonskeagh entrance, turn left at the roundabout and park on the left (the "P" between 21 and 68 on the map). Note some of the spots are pay parking - I think they're marked in blue and are on the right as you go in - and the others aren't after 7pm. It's 50p/hour I think - but most of the spots are free, so just don't get clamped unnecessarily!

If you drive in the Stillorgan Road entrance, there's traffic restrictions in place around rush-hour which you can't drive around to the far side of campus (to stop people taking short-cuts on the way home from work). Your best bet in that case is to turn right immediately on entering and park in the O'Reilly Hall car park (the "P" just above 45 on the map); it's about a ten-minute walk to the ground from there. Parking on Greenfield Road itself is often limited on match-nights.

Buses tend to park opposite the players' entrance from the ground in the main car park there (the "P" between 36 and 70 on the map).

Anywhere to avoid near the ground, or anything else away fans should be aware of?
Nowhere to avoid really. People give out that it's a hard ground to find, but with a small bit of prep, it really isn't. If lost, head for the water tower. The Bowl is marked on maps around campus. Or use the one linked above.

[brendy_éire]

Derry City

Does the club provide general info on visiting the ground? (provide links)

No, but really should.

Where to have a pint and / or food before, during after game?

The Bluebell Bar (known as Mailey's to locals) is the closest. It's cheap, friendly and there's always a fire on (even if it's 23 degrees outside). Also has an off-licence.
The city centre is 10-15 minutes walk from the ground, where you've any amount of bars and restaurants.
The chippy in the Brandywell has great chips. Not sure what the arrangements are for the new stand this year yet.

If staying over, any recommendations?

In the centre, cheapest hotel is usually the Travelodge. City Hotel and the Maldron are mid-priced. Swankiest are Bishop's Gate and Shipquay, maybe save them for when you're bringing the other half.
Plenty of B&Bs about too.

Getting to the ground: Is using public transport feasible? Where to park cars? Where to park buses?

Walkable from the town in 15 minutes or less.
The 7a bus goes past the Brandywell, but a taxi is only £4/€5.
On-street parking is available at the ground. There is a car park, but not sure what the story will be with it this year. I presume it'll be open to buses at least.

Anywhere to avoid near the ground, or anything else away fans should be aware of?

It's not a great area, but generally it's ok. The previous issues appear to have been sorted, though time will tell.

Does your club have an SLO, if so, how to contact them?

Hugh Curran. Facebook would be best.

[Lim till i die]

Just to add a couple of things to the Brandywell based on my experiences.

If you arrive at the ground way too early a man with a battered white transit will give four of you a lift in the back of it to the social club.

There's a fella in the social club sometimes that sells cheap fags.

From the social club to the ground in a taxi is three pound.

Avoid the food court in the shopping centre. Instead go out one of the side entrances and straight across from you is a pub serving dinners that will make you forget about the crimes against humanity you committed the night before.

Worth planning trips to Derry well in advance and checking out the houses/apartments. We've one booked for the 11th March (a Sunday fair enough) for five of us for 140 euro.

Walk the walls. It doesn't take long and it's a cool walk.

In short Derry is sound. :good:

[Hitman]

http://www.corkcityfc.ie/home/2018/01/15/first-time-fan/

[nigel-harps1954]

http://www.corkcityfc.ie/home/2018/01/15/first-time-fan/

It's well and good having these lists on here, but that's superb. Every club should have one of these on their website. Laid out excellently, and very informative.

[littlebray]

Bary Wanderers (Carlisle Grounds)

http://braywanderersfc.ie/carlisle-grounds/
has a history of the Carlisle.
http://www.braywanderers.com/showarticle.php?id=91
has better maps.

Neither has local food or drink options outside the Grounds.

[ToberonaTornado]

It's well and good having these lists on here, but that's superb. Every club should have one of these on their website. Laid out excellently, and very informative.

Ohhh stop! - it's ok :( and nothing much else.

[Mr A]

Infractions on the way if there is another round of sniping. Sick of this nonsense.

[EAFC_rdfl]

It's well and good having these lists on here, but that's superb. Every club should have one of these on their website. Laid out excellently, and very informative.
Definitely, you'd imagine a lot of fans might google the opposition team to get some info if planning to go to a match, and most likely the club website would be high on the results list.

[Mr A]

That's why we have the match night experience page and I share it with other SLOs and on opposition forums ahead of games :)

[EAFC_rdfl]

Useful info for 'new' home supporters too!

[Mr A]

We have responses for Harps, Dundalk, Bohs, Longford, Waterford, UCD, Derry. (apologies if I missed any)

Anyone else care to step up (am looking at you in particular Drogheda :) )

[sbgawa]

Shamrock Rovers

Getting to the ground
The ground is easy to get to with numerous public transport options.

Luas red line from city centre and all points between there and Tallaght

Bus number and where from
27 from Clare Hall
49,54a from Pearse street
65 Poolbeg street
76a Blanchardstown
77a Ringsend
76 Chapelizod

You can park in the Square for free on mach nights provided you park in the top car park (the one with the entrance which is nearest the Stadium) If you are going in the entrance that has a big Petrol station right beside it ...you are in the right place.
You take a ticket going in as normal and they lift the barriers when the match is over so everyone just drives out....including some lucky shoppers who happen to be there.

Taxi from city centre is around €40

Where to have a pint and / or food before, during after game?

The club have a chip/Burger van on site as well as Papa johns Pizza and there is talk of a number of new concessions available from first match, I will update when it is released.
Rovers fans drink in all the hotels around the Stadium, The Maldron, Aberley Court and the Plaza. I have seen plenty of visiting fans in the pubs, bit of needle sometimes but you know the drill, if you aren't looking for trouble etc. having said that sometimes the Guards don't let visiting fans into the Maldron if they think there is potential for hassle.
You can get food in the hotels plus there is numerous restaurants in Tallaght village and in the Square shopping centre.


If staying over, any recommendations?

The Maldron
The Plaza
the Aberley Court all within 5 minutes walk of the Stadium


Do we have a SLO....
Not sure


This is a work in progress will update before first match

[Mr A]

Did a bit of a clean-up. We have established that the away end at Oriel is less than ideal and for better comfort and shelter the stand should be considered. Let's leave it at that on that subject.

Happy for people to post constructive stuff regarding other clubs BTW.

[Mr A]

Any Cobh fans want to take a shot at this?

[WoodquayBoy]

Any Cobh fans?

[Martinho II]

Any Cobh fans want to take a shot at this?

I stayed overnight in Cobh last season for a Cobh game so I will do it! Commodore hotel is where I stayed and I had a reasonably great night in it. It was throbbing that Saturday night and is unique for their strange shaped lifts!
Cobh is so unique that theres not a bus eireann running to it. I got Bus Eireann to Cork City and walked to their train station and took the hourly frequency trains down to Cobh.Its 30 mins by train down to it as it serves a good few stations to it as its also close to the Midleton railway line From Cobh train station to the ground its a ten minute walk across from there. Its high up on a hill overlooking it! I remember climbing at least forty steep steps to it across from the station. You come to a road take a left and walk down that road you cant mistake their floodlights in the distance.. hope this helps!

[outspoken]

I stayed overnight in Cobh last season for a Cobh game so I will do it! Commodore hotel is where I stayed and I had a reasonably great night in it. It was throbbing that Saturday night and is unique for their strange shaped lifts!
Cobh is so unique that theres not a bus eireann running to it. I got Bus Eireann to Cork City and walked to their train station and took the hourly frequency trains down to Cobh.Its 30 mins by train down to it as it serves a good few stations to it as its also close to the Midleton railway line From Cobh train station to the ground its a ten minute walk across from there. Its high up on a hill overlooking it! I remember climbing at least forty steep steps to it across from the station. You come to a road take a left and walk down that road you cant mistake their floodlights in the distance.. hope this helps!

Jack Doyle’s pub is the best spot to hit pre match and a nice chipper across the road. Bar at the ground also.

[Mr A]

Love the bar in the ground. Have had some great nights in there.

[ciaraa]

Love the bar in the ground. Have had some great nights in there.

Cobh bar is pure class. Asked for a hot whiskey there couple of years ago and got a hot rum. Didnt even know that was a drink.

[Martinho II]

Cobh bar is pure class. Asked for a hot whiskey there couple of years ago and got a hot rum. Didnt even know that was a drink.

had forgotten ye had a bar. had a great night last time I was up there last season!

[trevy]

The footballgroundguide website has an Ireland section with lots of information and photos of all Premier grounds and a few first division ones too.

[bennocelt]

Cobh bar is pure class. Asked for a hot whiskey there couple of years ago and got a hot rum. Didnt even know that was a drink.

it is a class bar alright. When i was there, the visiting teams fans (i wont mention the team!) were acting up slightly. But the old couple who were running it had them in control at all times, nothing aggressive but told them politely to stop acting the maggot, and were well able to handle them. If it was a pub with security I imagine it could have got out of control. I was dead impressed as they seemed to know exactly how to handle a noisy football crowd.
Friendly bar to boot as well.

[forza]

Ah Cobh, bunch of us ended up drinking cans in a field behind the ground some years ago (it was a sunny Good Friday as far as I remember) and having great craic with the Gardai and the locals, I highly recommend this field :D