Poor Student
06/06/2005, 3:20 PM
MARK O'NEILL-CUMMINS EIRCOM LGE FOCUS
Shelbourne must be congratulated on
their plans to develop a new stadium in
the Swords/Donabate area of Fingal.
When the move happens, it can only be a
positive one for the champions.
Moving to the Fingal area will give the
club a ready-made supply of fans.
Fingal is a massive area and any club
operating out of there could expect to
draw support from places like Swords,
Balbriggan, Malahide, Skerries and
Portmarnock.
The thriving junior soccer scene in
this area also bodes well for Shels.
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2/4
Soccer News
MARK O'NEILL-CUMMINS EIRCOM LGE FOCUS
According to reports, a new stadium in
Fingal would have seating for over
7,000.
That's 2,000+ lower than at Tolka Park.
At present, Shels, and Bohs for that
matter, are never going to fill their
stadiums on a regular basis when the
demographics of the locality are taken
into account.
But, a 7,000 seater, in an area new to
eircom League soccer, is a different
proposition. When Shels integrate fully
into the Fingal area, those 7,000 seats
should be filled on a weekly basis.
Paddy Power Prices & Betting 297
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3/4
Soccer News
MARK O'NEILL-CUMMINS EIRCOM LGE FOCUS
Hopefully, when the design is fully
agreed upon, allowance will be made to
allow an increased capacity if needed
for big European ties, for example.
Tolka Park will probably be sold off
for housing but, in some ways, there is
not a great degree of sentiment
attached to the ground by Shels fans.
After all, they've only played there on
a regular basis since 1990.
Paddy Power Prices & Betting 297
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4/4
Soccer News
MARK O'NEILL-CUMMINS EIRCOM LGE FOCUS
Many people still think of Drumcondra
when they think of Tolka Park - Drums
played there from 1926 until they left
the league in 1972.
Of course, had history taken a
different course, Tolka could already
be long gone.
In 1972, the Kilcoynes (who then bought
and eventually sold Shamrock Rovers)
nearly bought Drumcondra and Tolka
Park.
Had that happened, Drums might still be
a League of Ireland club but in similar
homeless situation to Rovers.
Eh, not exactly a great piece. He seems to just be assuming it is a smart move for Shels because they are doing it. He seems to assume they must be guaranteed big support because they've decided to do this. I'll be intrigued to see what a move to an outer untapped Dublin population centre will do however I don't think it'll change Irish apathy to the eL. Also he seems to ignore the transport difficulties that some Shels fans have been going on about the site.
Shelbourne must be congratulated on
their plans to develop a new stadium in
the Swords/Donabate area of Fingal.
When the move happens, it can only be a
positive one for the champions.
Moving to the Fingal area will give the
club a ready-made supply of fans.
Fingal is a massive area and any club
operating out of there could expect to
draw support from places like Swords,
Balbriggan, Malahide, Skerries and
Portmarnock.
The thriving junior soccer scene in
this area also bodes well for Shels.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2/4
Soccer News
MARK O'NEILL-CUMMINS EIRCOM LGE FOCUS
According to reports, a new stadium in
Fingal would have seating for over
7,000.
That's 2,000+ lower than at Tolka Park.
At present, Shels, and Bohs for that
matter, are never going to fill their
stadiums on a regular basis when the
demographics of the locality are taken
into account.
But, a 7,000 seater, in an area new to
eircom League soccer, is a different
proposition. When Shels integrate fully
into the Fingal area, those 7,000 seats
should be filled on a weekly basis.
Paddy Power Prices & Betting 297
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3/4
Soccer News
MARK O'NEILL-CUMMINS EIRCOM LGE FOCUS
Hopefully, when the design is fully
agreed upon, allowance will be made to
allow an increased capacity if needed
for big European ties, for example.
Tolka Park will probably be sold off
for housing but, in some ways, there is
not a great degree of sentiment
attached to the ground by Shels fans.
After all, they've only played there on
a regular basis since 1990.
Paddy Power Prices & Betting 297
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4/4
Soccer News
MARK O'NEILL-CUMMINS EIRCOM LGE FOCUS
Many people still think of Drumcondra
when they think of Tolka Park - Drums
played there from 1926 until they left
the league in 1972.
Of course, had history taken a
different course, Tolka could already
be long gone.
In 1972, the Kilcoynes (who then bought
and eventually sold Shamrock Rovers)
nearly bought Drumcondra and Tolka
Park.
Had that happened, Drums might still be
a League of Ireland club but in similar
homeless situation to Rovers.
Eh, not exactly a great piece. He seems to just be assuming it is a smart move for Shels because they are doing it. He seems to assume they must be guaranteed big support because they've decided to do this. I'll be intrigued to see what a move to an outer untapped Dublin population centre will do however I don't think it'll change Irish apathy to the eL. Also he seems to ignore the transport difficulties that some Shels fans have been going on about the site.