Problems with Oriel Park....

[patsh]

From the Irish Times

FAI Cup tie in doubt as turf war looms in Dundalk

The Football Association of Ireland appear to have walked themselves into yet another difficult situation, on this occasion apparently taking their eye off the ball in relation to the forthcoming Dundalk versus Drogheda United FAI Cup third-round tie, which is due to be televised live by TG4
The match is scheduled to take place on a revamped Oriel Park in Dundalk this Friday. As of yesterday, however, the game had not received approval from football's governing body. Nor had the pitch received the green light from Fifa, who have yet to inspect the newly installed artificial surface. And, furthermore, extensive reconstruction and renovation works at the ground are still far from being complete.

At a press conference in Oriel Park yesterday Dundalk launched the new surface. The final touches to the pitch, which is the first of its kind in the National League, were being applied as the press conference was in progress.

However, Dundalk FC chief executive Seán Connolly expressed confidence the new surface - while not at its optimum - would be "perfectly playable".

He went on to state he didn't anticipate any difficulties with the FAI passing the pitch as playable, or with Fifa - who are due in Dundalk today to view the pitch.

"It is known that it takes three months for these type of pitches to settle in," said David Fry of Pride Sports and Leisure yesterday, who installed the pitch.

"Once the pitch is tested by Fifa tomorrow and the certificate is handed out then the pitch can be played on. In four to six months' time there won't be any sign of the rubber crumb which is so prominent at the moment."

However, the question is - will the FAI and ultimately Fifa give Friday's FAI Cup tie the thumbs up?

The difficulty for Dundalk FC and the FAI in particular, who have responsibility for the staging of the local derby, is that the match is only four days away. At present the pitch is in a very poor state, a mixture of sand and crumb rubber right through the surface making it highly unstable underfoot.

Drogheda United players were out training on the surface for an hour yesterday and manager Paul Doolin refused to comment about the state of the pitch afterwards.

The Drogheda players were not available for comment either, but it was clear that the club from the south of the county were far from impressed with what they had experienced.

A short time later an official spokesperson for Drogheda United stated that "following the attendance of our management team and players at Oriel Park this morning, we have been in contact with the FAI to express our grave concerns around the staging of Friday night's cup tie at Oriel Park".

Asked if the club would refuse to play on the new pitch, the spokesperson said, "We will be keeping the situation closely under review over the next 24 to 48 hours and will take whatever steps are necessary to safeguard our players."

Questions must now be asked of the FAI. How was this unsatisfactory situation allowed to develop and why was an earlier date not set for all work to be completed satisfactorily?

To a layman looking at the pitch and surroundings yesterday afternoon there seemed no way a match could be played at Oriel Park this Friday night.




© The Irish Times

[Peadar]

Drogheda United manager Paul Doolin has insisted his side will refuse to play Dundalk at Oriel Park this Friday claiming that the new artificial pitch Dundalk have installed is dangerous.

Taken from BreakingNews.ie (http://www.breakingnews.ie/2005/08/23/story217385.html)

[patsh]

Taken from BreakingNews.ie (http://www.breakingnews.ie/2005/08/23/story217385.html)
I hope FIFA pass it fit to play...:p

[Cosmo]

Nobody will know til later today where its on.

Definitely not in monaghan anyway - so its united park or boriel.

Oh the joys of being able to charge them for the use of united park on friday :D

[thejollyrodger]

http://newsfeed.tcm.ie/images/people/pauldoolin.jpg
dreadful picture :D

[patsh]

http://newsfeed.tcm.ie/images/people/pauldoolin.jpg
dreadful picture :D
I think it captures his inner essence!:D

[Peadar]

From these pictures (http://www.dundalkfc.com/news/050726_OrielBlog.html), it doesn't look too bad.

[Macy]

Is that paul doolin or the bloke from the "C'mon West Ham" coke ad from a few years ago? :D

[Jerry The Saint]

http://newsfeed.tcm.ie/images/people/pauldoolin.jpg
dreadful picture :D

It doesn't do him any justice because it's cropped off at the top and bottom.

Here's the full picture: http://wso.williams.edu/~rfoxwell/starwars/pics/OldAnakin.jpg

:eek:

[superfrank]

He just looks bad in every picture! :D :eek: Ever see the one of him on eleven-a-side?? He looks like a someone plotting to rob your house, not how his team are going to marginally win a game they dominate. :D

Anyway, the pitch doesn't look so bad in this (http://www.dundalkfc.com/photos/050821_oriel7.jpg) pic. The stand looks good too.

[thejollyrodger]

Dundalk's pitch battle reaches final countdown
http://www.unison.ie/irish_independent/stories.php3?ca=94&si=1455976&issue_id=12906

WHEN you have been waiting all season to see your team play a home game, a few more hours shouldn't matter too much but the frustration was clearly etched on faces at Oriel Park yesterday.

Dundalk's FAI Carlsberg Cup tie against arch-rivals Drogheda United on Friday night in front of a live TV audience was hanging in the balance and dozens turned up to watch the drama unfold.

On the newly-laid artificial surface a team of FIFA experts were carrying out the start of two-day tests to determine whether the game should get the go-ahead and end Dundalk's six-month Oriel exile.

Irrespective of whether or not the green light is given, Dundalk's gamble of becoming the first Eircom League club to install an artificial pitch seems set to pay-off.

The €500,000 surface which Dundalk now possess is the first of its kind in the world. It conforms to FIFA's exacting two-star standard, the highest possible rating for a hi-tech surface, and it won't be long before it is winning plaudits from those who really matter - the players and the spectators.

Visually, it looks like a grass surface and walking on it one is amazed by the resemblance to a well-manicured and closely cropped surface.

As the testers went about their work yesterday afternoon a group of schoolchildren were playing into one of the goals and it was obvious that the bounce of the ball is true thanks, say the experts, to the 70mm of in-fill.

The one problem clearly evident was the spray of rubber dust every time the ball bounced or was kicked but Dundalk officials say this will disappear once the pitch has bedded in properly.

Dundalk fans who wandered up the Carrick Road out of curiosity yesterday admitted they were impressed at the quality of the surface. They believe the days of trudging to Monaghan and Drogheda to watch their team are over.

"I was a sceptic," admitted one, "but I've changed my mind completely. It's absolutely fantastic and nobody can have excuses for not being able to play on it."

Even Dundalk's legendary groundsman Mickey Fox, now in his 80th year, is amazed at the quality of the surface and he should know as this is the fourth different pitch he has seen at Oriel Park since he joined the ground staff in 1942. "I was watching Drogheda train here on Monday and it was a joy to watch the ball zipping across the surface," he says.

Quality grass surfaces like those at the top Premier Division grounds like Tolka Park and Turner's Cross can cost up to €65,000 each year to maintain while Dundalk reckon that they will slash their bill from €40,000 to just €1,500 per annum.

That's a sum that will cause many club chairman to ***** up their ears.

While Dunfermline had to rip up their plastic surface over the summer after the SPL clubs voted to outlaw it, their pitch did prove that artificial turf is actually safer than grass.

Of the six injuries Dunfermline had last season, which forced players out of the game for a month or more, four came away from home while UEFA's own figures show that show 3.2 muscular and ligament injuries per 1000 playing hours on artificial surfaces compared with 7.6 on grass.

O'Kane admits that Dundalk's pioneering trail has been tough. They've been through the mill after their funding fell through and they had problems getting the necessary paperwork in order to draw down a Government grant of €1m.

They had to sell their training pitch, Hiney Park, but moving the new pitch towards the main stand has created enough room to build a new training ground on the other side of the ground. They are also building new terracing and a clubhouse complete with new dressing room.

Dundalk hope that new surface will generate up to €2,000 per week in rental revenue and already two junior league games are booked this week.

"The town is buzzing. Everybody is getting ready to come back to Oriel Park and we'll have 5,000 here on Friday for the Drogheda game if it goes ahead," says Dundalk chairman Tony O'Kane.

As evening fell, the two FIFA experts continued to work their way around the pitch probing, prodding and analysing the new surface while all the time the numbers watching grew - in anticipation of a bright new dawn for Dundalk FC.


I think the pitch will get the nod from FIFA. It should save dundalk a few quid over the coming years

[Peadar]

I think the pitch will get the nod from FIFA.

I think we should all get them if it does.
Wouldn't make much difference to hoofers like Shels but teams who like to play ball would really benefit.

[fosterdollar]

Could that be another justification for a move back to Winter league?

[Krstic]

Could that be another justification for a move back to Winter league?

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER!!! :ball:

[Pablo]

i hate Dundalk. 1991 and all that. i still have nightmares. ;(

[Peadar]

Could that be another justification for a move back to Winter league?

I hope not.
Our fitness levels in Europe have to be the big plus.
We need to prove that this is true.
Hopefully City can add weight to that argument tomorrow night.

[fosterdollar]

I agree with your point. I meant that if the pitch is successful in Dundalk and others follow suit then the pro-winter fans will use that as another reason to re-open the winter league (or lack of opposition to it on the basis of flooded pitches, etc.). Tied to all the other reasons that have been thrown around before it could send the balance of favour to the winter set-up.

EDIT: probably should mention that we have had good runs in europe before despite being out of season

[Peadar]

EDIT: probably should mention that we have had good runs in europe before despite being out of season

We've had the stats up here and this is already the most successful decade for Irish football in Europe, despite the fact that we're only half way through it and the fact that Longford have represented us on a number of occassions. :p :D

[fosterdollar]

We've had the stats up here and this is already the most successful decade for Irish football in Europe, despite the fact that we're only half way through it and the fact that Longford have represented us on a number of occassions. :p :D

Exactly, and if you'll allow me to play devil's advocate, what have Longford achieved in Europe as a result of summer football?

I'm not saying the success in Europe has improved but it could be argued that the standard was improving over the years anyway as european experienec increased.

[eamoss]

The pitch has passed F.I.F.A testing.


Bring on Friday!!!! :p

[Peadar]

The pitch has passed F.I.F.A testing.

Good news, eamo.
This is an historic moment for Irish football and indeed, football the world over.

[fosterdollar]

I wonder will Carlo Ancelotti be turning up at the game so...

[eamoss]

From dundalkfc.com

NEWSFLASH
MATCH GOES AHEAD IN ORIEL
Dundalk have been awarded a FIFA license for the use of the new surface at 12pm today. The FAI and FIFA have given approval for Dundalk's FAI Cup match with Drogheda United to go ahead in Oriel Park on Friday night. Kick-Off 7.45. Tickets on sale from Oriel Park and Emerald Sports.

[carrickharp]

Good luck with the new pitch looking foward to seeing it on TV.

[Cosmo]

From dundalkfc.com

NEWSFLASH
MATCH GOES AHEAD IN ORIEL
Dundalk have been awarded a FIFA license for the use of the new surface at 12pm today. The FAI and FIFA have given approval for Dundalk's FAI Cup match with Drogheda United to go ahead in Oriel Park on Friday night. Kick-Off 7.45. Tickets on sale from Oriel Park and Emerald Sports.

Nothing confirmed by drogheda yet though

[Sheridan]

Nothing confirmed by drogheda yet though
Given that the options on the table are;

A: Show up and play at explicit request of national and world governing bodies.

and

B: Forfeit the match

...I'm not sure what there is to "confirm."

[patsh]

I can't see how Drogheda can object, it will also be a first for the Dundalk team to play on the surface, so no advantage there, and Dundalk are hardly going to object to the pitch on the grounds that its dangerous, are they?

Drogheda will have to play, I think, and anyway they should win this game well.
Is Doolin just looking for an excuse in case things go pear shaped?

[thejollyrodger]

Best of luck to Dundalk and their new pitch. I hope it is a sucess

[superfrank]

What bout the rest of the stadium? How many are Dundalk expecting for the match? You'd think around 3-4 thousand.

[Cosmo]

Given that the options on the table are;

A: Show up and play at explicit request of national and world governing bodies.

and

B: Forfeit the match

...I'm not sure what there is to "confirm."

Drogheda have made an objection according to LMFM :)

[Slash/ED]

I think we should all get them if it does.


agreed, I certinaly hope Shels new ground has one. Not just for the quality of the pitch, but the money you could gain by renting it out 24/7 to either other teams or have a deal like Dunfermline had where you pay a certain amount of money and get to have a match with your mates inside the stadium

[fosterdollar]

Drogheda have made an objection according to LMFM :)

Have you heard the basis for it yet?

[dcfcsteve]

Could that be another justification for a move back to Winter league?

Jeez FD - this has been chewed over numerous times in other posts.

No-one is calling for a return to Winter football.

It's too early to make a judgement on Summer football.

End of story.....

[fosterdollar]

I wouldn't say nobody has been calling for it. And The story may have ended before Dundalk got their pitch in place but it is reasonable to bring it back up as i believe it could be used as a pro-winter league argument backer. I'm not saying i would but some would surely.

[dcfcsteve]

Good news that it's passed, and good luck to Dundalk with it. Very brave of them to take a gamble and lead the way on this one. Great to see an EL club being genuine world innovators.

Looking forward to watching the game on TV as well. Hope there's a big crowd for it - it will be a genuinely historic occassion, after all.

[dcfcsteve]

I wouldn't say nobody has been calling for it. And The story may have ended before Dundalk got their pitch in place but it is reasonable to bring it back up as i believe it could be used as a pro-winter league argument backer. I'm not saying i would but some would surely.

No-one in any vague position of authority or influence has been calling for a return to Winter football, and that's all that counts.

A few fans whinging on here is irrelevant. Those sort of people tend to always have something to blame the state of Irish football on....

No more cold winter evenings in Finn Park and the Carlisle Grounds. Thank feck....

[Slash/ED]

Yes, no matter how successful the pitch is it should in no way, shape or form lead to a return to winter soccer.

[superfrank]

No-one in any vague position of authority or influence has been calling for a return to Winter football, and that's all that counts.

A few fans whinging on here is irrelevant. Those sort of people tend to always have something to blame the state of Irish football on....

No more cold winter evenings in Finn Park and the Carlisle Grounds. Thank feck....
Ah, cmon it's not that bad. If you huddle into the Shed you wont freeze. And at least there's concrete under our seats unlike Belfield.

Anyway, I don't want a return to Winter football and I can't imagine a sane football fan who would.

[NY Hoop]

It is a gamble by Dundalk and lets hope it pays off. But as for every club copying them?? Wait and see first.

But why oh why didnt they start on this at the end of last season? :o

KOH

[fosterdollar]

A few fans whinging on here is irrelevant.
Right Adam, close the site. We've finally reached the climax of foot.ie. Shows over folks. Time to get back to work. :D

[superfrank]

Why would all teams want this artificial pitch?

We, as has been noted on this site many times before, have an excellent natural pitch so what's the advantage in changing it?

[Slash/ED]

Why would all teams want this artificial pitch?

We, as has been noted on this site many times before, have an excellent natural pitch so what's the advantage in changing it?

Because clubs only have one real asset, their ground, and for the most part they lie empty and not making any money for you at all bar once every two weeks. With an artifical pitch you can have people playing on it 24/7, so you could rent it out to every local team around to train/play there, let fans spend money for a chance to play there. In other words the thing could be making money for you round the clock without the disadvantage of making the pitch completley unplayable. I'd imagine it costs less to maintain too, and you have a quality surface all year round.

[MariborKev]

I'd imagine it costs less to maintain too, and you have a quality surface all year round.

Apparent cost of looking after pitch is around €1.5k per annum, compared to €40k for the natural surface

[dcfcsteve]

Right Adam, close the site. We've finally reached the climax of foot.ie. Shows over folks. Time to get back to work. :D

Adam - can I take over the URL to set-up a porn site.....? :D ;)

[Cosmo]

Drogs statement:

Notwithstanding the fact that the FIFA – appointed team were in the process of approving the laying of the new Pitch, Drogheda United expressed their reservations in writing on Tuesday afternoon to the F.A.I. with regard to Player Safety on a pitch surface which has not had the normal bedding-in time to settle.
The F.A.I. has replied to Drogheda United today at 1.15pm to state that the match would proceed as scheduled.

[patsh]

Drogs statement:

Notwithstanding the fact that the FIFA – appointed team were in the process of approving the laying of the new Pitch, Drogheda United expressed their reservations in writing on Tuesday afternoon to the F.A.I. with regard to Player Safety on a pitch surface which has not had the normal bedding-in time to settle.
The F.A.I. has replied to Drogheda United today at 1.15pm to state that the match would proceed as scheduled.
So I presume thats that, and Drogheda will play at Oriel?

[bigmac]

Apparent cost of looking after pitch is around €1.5k per annum, compared to €40k for the natural surface


Makes it a no-brainer if you can get the capital together to lay one in the first place. In UCD, there are 2 hockey pitches side by side (one is for hockey only - national stadium etc. and the other one can be rented out for soccer/ to schools etc.)
The cost of renting the pitch for an hour is around 50 or 60 euro (open to corrections here) and costs about 20 euro to rent a quarter of the pitch which is the perfect size for a crossfield game of soccer.
It should be possible to earn around a thousand euro a week (conservative estimate) just by renting out the facility to 5 a side teams, or nightowls leagues etc.
I agree that some clubs have good grass pitches but in other places the pitches are abysmal - the RSC for example was never actually laid as a football pitch, it was just the infield of the track was grassed over when the track was built.

[Xlex]

despite summer soccer we are still playing in some awful weather both at the beginning and especially at the end. Alot of games are usually called off each season and we have had the misfortune of havingtwo or three high profile games called off due to sudden rainfall. It still makes sence to at least look into the costings for one of these artifical pitches.

[Bald Student]

During league games in the Faeroes we were allowed onto the astro pitches for a kick about at half time. Dundalk should have a similar policy.

[Slash/ED]

Makes it a no-brainer if you can get the capital together to lay one in the first place.


Absolutley. Even without renting it out you'd make your money back and more. It's 38.5k a year saved plus whatever extra rent money you can squeeze out of it which would probably be far more than that. That is alot of money in EL terms, and the added benefit is a top class playing surface no matter what. Also, it would save teams renting out other pitches for their youth teams, U21s and for training, more money saved. When you add it all together, it is a big deal.