Stadium Updates (All Clubs)

[EalingGreen]

Fortwilliam church spire in the background of the colour photo?
Good call.

Thinking some more, the only reason not to think it's Solitude is that there was a crowd in that day!

[Shinkicker]

I may have missed it but what's up with the empty stand at the Drumcondra end of Tolka Park??

[D24Saint]

I may have missed it but what's up with the empty stand at the Drumcondra end of Tolka Park??

Ive heard two tales one was planning issues the other was foundation problems. Not sure what is the accurate version.

[nigel-harps1954]

Heard it was fire damage myself. I'm sure there's a truth the lies somewhere between each.

[joey B]

Pretty sure someone on here said it was foundation issues…

[2 Year Contract]

I heard foundation issues myself, but how come the dressing rooms that are housed in that stand are allowed to be used then? Also noticed towards the end of the game between Pats and Shels in Tolka, when the tunnel is pulled out for the players (which blocks fans on the riverside from leaving the ground), they had to walk up into that stand and back down the steps the other side of the tunnel. Just strange that it’s in use in that way if it’s foundations are that dodgy, unless the issue is just to do with the stand supporting the weight of a stand full of people for a prolonged period of time

[sbgawa]

I heard foundation issues myself, but how come the dressing rooms that are housed in that stand are allowed to be used then? Also noticed towards the end of the game between Pats and Shels in Tolka, when the tunnel is pulled out for the players (which blocks fans on the riverside from leaving the ground), they had to walk up into that stand and back down the steps the other side of the tunnel. Just strange that it’s in use in that way if it’s foundations are that dodgy, unless the issue is just to do with the stand supporting the weight of a stand full of people for a prolonged period of time


This is the problem i believe , a couple of thousend fans jumping up and down celebrating a Shels home win .......wouldn't have been a problem this year :p

[total hoofball]

I heard foundation issues myself, but how come the dressing rooms that are housed in that stand are allowed to be used then? Also noticed towards the end of the game between Pats and Shels in Tolka, when the tunnel is pulled out for the players (which blocks fans on the riverside from leaving the ground), they had to walk up into that stand and back down the steps the other side of the tunnel. Just strange that it’s in use in that way if it’s foundations are that dodgy, unless the issue is just to do with the stand supporting the weight of a stand full of people for a prolonged period of time
I don't know the technical ins and outs but on a basic level I've been told the stand can't hold 800-900 fans in the stand as there is a structural issue that could pose a risk with those numbers but the stand is cleared as safe for players/staff to use the dressing rooms and facilities underneath the stand. It's repairable but would cost a very hefty 6 figure sum so economical decision was taken to keep the stand closed to fans and continue to use it for dressing room facilities. The relatively small upgrades to the Ballybough end for away terracing and moving home supporters into the Riverside has been a winner so far

[EatYerGreens]

I heard foundation issues myself, but how come the dressing rooms that are housed in that stand are allowed to be used then?

If the footings for the structure aren't good enough, then the wait of hundreds of people on top will be of significantly greater issue than the much smaller number at a lower level in the changing rooms.

I'm surprised it hasn't fallen foul to the hackneyed old rumour that is attached to numerous libraries all around the world (especially at universities). That they failed to include the weight of the books when they did the calculations for its load-bearing, so then couldn't build it as high as they'd originally planned after they started it. Maybe the Tolka stand didn't factor in the weight of the spectators on top ? :eek: Every 15 or so people will equal about a tonne of added weight (depending on how fat they are, age, gender etc)

[EalingGreen]

If the footings for the structure aren't good enough, then the wait of hundreds of people on top will be of significantly greater issue than the much smaller number at a lower level in the changing rooms.

I'm surprised it hasn't fallen foul to the hackneyed old rumour that is attached to numerous libraries all around the world (especially at universities). That they failed to include the weight of the books when they did the calculations for its load-bearing, so then couldn't build it as high as they'd originally planned after they started it. Maybe the Tolka stand didn't factor in the weight of the spectators on top ? :eek: Every 15 or so people will equal about a tonne of added weight (depending on how fat they are, age, gender etc)
Sometimes the old ways are the best:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okf5enMCQmc

I think I read somewhere that those were all WW1 veterans, called in because they knew basic drill.

[EatYerGreens]

I think I read somewhere that those were all WW1 veterans, called in because they knew basic drill.

And weren;t afraid to follo commands that potentially see them killed :D

[EalingGreen]

And weren;t afraid to follo commands that potentially see them killed :D
Ha ha, very good! Though to be fair to their regard for Health & Safety in those days, they might have had an oul fella stationed out the back, checking to see any cracks opening up.

And thinking some more about it, its more likely that those people in the video were actually workers building the stadium, many of whom were also WW1 veterans who therefore "knew the drill".

Meanwhile, here's what looks like another Belfast Roof, this time on the old Lourdes Stadium, one-time home of Drogheda:

https://media.balls.ie/uploads/2015/07/14154305/lourdes.jpg

Though from googling, it seems this has since been demolished as the site was refurbished.

[GUFCghost]

any chance Drogs could move back to Lourdes? Have they any plans for a new ground? United Park looks awful on telly

[Martinho II]

any chance Drogs could move back to Lourdes? Have they any plans for a new ground? United Park looks awful on telly

Where was Lourdes located GUFC as I was never in it ?

[EatYerGreens]

any chance Drogs could move back to Lourdes? Have they any plans for a new ground? United Park looks awful on telly

They could probably do with a trip to Lourdes :p

[EatYerGreens]

Where was Lourdes located GUFC as I was never in it ?

It's still there - across from the hospital. The council own it these days.

[Straightstory]

The claim that Lourdes Stadium was 'regarded as one of the finest stadiums in the league' is mystifying. It was a complete dump - even worse than United 'Head In The Game' Park.

https://www.balls.ie/football/6-former-league-of-ireland-grounds-that-are-still-in-use-300971

[Longfordian]

I didn't know until now that Parc Ui Rinn and Flower Lodge are the same place. I've never been to it but have read both names over the years without any idea of the connection.

[EatYerGreens]

I didn't know until now that Parc Ui Rinn and Flower Lodge are the same place. I've never been to it but have read both names over the years without any idea of the connection.

Yeah - the GAA swooped in to buy Flower Lodge, which was a huge loss to football in Cork. None of the grounds used since (Bishopstown, Turners Cross) compared to Flower Lodge, or its potential.

The real story of how Cork GAA bought Flower Lodge (irishexaminer.com) (https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/arid-20275107.html?msclkid=cc8e7eb2c61e11ec8249b466315c 6d5e)

[brendy_éire]

The real story of how Cork GAA bought Flower Lodge (irishexaminer.com) (https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/arid-20275107.html?msclkid=cc8e7eb2c61e11ec8249b466315c 6d5e)

Interesting that they thought the AOH wouldn't sell to the GAA. Never understood why Cork GAA have two decent grounds beside each other in such a large county.

On another point, at Turners Cross, can people just watch the match from the outdoor area of the Horseshoe pub (or Corner Flag, as it is now)?

[El-Pietro]

On another point, at Turners Cross, can people just watch the match from the outdoor area of the Horseshoe pub (or Corner Flag, as it is now)?
Yep. Not sure how good the view is though.

[nigel-harps1954]

Big boost for Shels today. Tolka is to be kept for sporting use after DCC abandoned plans to rezone it.

[oldfan]

https://m.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/dcc-chief-owen-keegan-favourable-towards-richmond-park-redevelopment-with-shelbourne-set-to-remain-at-tolka-park-41617002.html

[Glen Of Aherlow]

I see St Pats were included in the statement , anybody hear anything about redevolping Richmond ? hard to see what could be done given location of ground

[bohsmug]

Yeah, I was surprised to hear about Richmond. Could easily fit 2 small roofed stands, 1 behind each goal. Maybe a bit like Inver Park in Larne if there's enough space for new dressing rooms. After that, not sure. The site is quite small and access is limited. The main stand always felt quite tight to me. It could look lovely with modest improvement, just not sure if it's feasible.

[TonyD]

I see St Pats were included in the statement , anybody hear anything about redevolping Richmond ? hard to see what could be done given location of ground

Certainly would seem to be limited scope for developing Richmond much, given the tight surroundings, especially the river on one side. Hard to see the inclusion of Richmond in the statement as much more than platitudes. The council had a chance to help Pats with the Richmond arena plan and weren’t willing to do so. If this means they will give some actual help as regards developing Richmond then it will be good news, but I remain sceptical.

[Glen Of Aherlow]

Certainly would seem to be limited scope for developing Richmond much, given the tight surroundings, especially the river on one side. Hard to see the inclusion of Richmond in the statement as much more than platitudes. The council had a chance to help Pats with the Richmond arena plan and weren’t willing to do so. If this means they will give some actual help as regards developing Richmond then it will be good news, but I remain sceptical.

Yeah struck me as being lip service from Keegan where Richmond is concerned , don't think Bohs will get their shiny new stadium either , probably a bit of an upgrade on what's there at Dalymount currently

[sbgawa]

Yeah struck me as being lip service from Keegan where Richmond is concerned , don't think Bohs will get their shiny new stadium either , probably a bit of an upgrade on what's there at Dalymount currently

Id be happy to see Tolka retained and with a bit of work both it and Dalymount could be made fit for use.
Knock down the two empty stands in Dalymount and put in covered Terace +Seating and you have 6k stadium.
Tolka knock down the empty stand and replace with covered Tce/Seats accross the width and you have 5.5k.

Not shiny new Stadiums but fit for purpose and deliverable.

[Nesta99]

The claim that Lourdes Stadium was 'regarded as one of the finest stadiums in the league' is mystifying. It was a complete dump - even worse than United 'Head In The Game' Park.

https://www.balls.ie/football/6-former-league-of-ireland-grounds-that-are-still-in-use-300971

Whomever wrote that was being sentimental for sure. It was a real headache of a place from being derelict, to fending off the grab all types looking for exclusive use of the site, to getting LCC to fund something functional - original proposal had 4 running lanes (not even an outer 4 lanes increasing the grass area) so unusable for competitive athletics and could only have been used for training, trying to be suitable for all but would have been damn all good to any, standard LCC trying to do capital sports projects on the cheap. It was hoped that DUFC would be amenable to taking it on in exchange for United Park which was a non runner for a all sorts of reasons. In the end at least a proper track was done.

[Kingdom]

Id be happy to see Tolka retained and with a bit of work both it and Dalymount could be made fit for use.
Knock down the two empty stands in Dalymount and put in covered Terace +Seating and you have 6k stadium.
Tolka knock down the empty stand and replace with covered Tce/Seats accross the width and you have 5.5k.

Not shiny new Stadiums but fit for purpose and deliverable.

I am assuming that this is a commendable effort at serious urine extraction?

[EatYerGreens]

Big boost for Shels today. Tolka is to be kept for sporting use after DCC abandoned plans to rezone it.

Fair play to everyone involved in the Save Tolka campaign.

I thought they'd left it too late myself and that they were only going to jeopardise the Dalymount plans, but full credit to the campaigners for their work - and also to the Council for listening.

The big question now will obviously be how much funding the counciil is willing to make available to redevelop the 3 stadia, and how the remainder will get paid for.

[red bellied]

https://youtu.be/3rNaiBPNdUM

Footage here from the old Lourdes ground in drogheda (second half of video). Even then it was rough for a loi ground.

[Martinho II]

I am delighted that Shels can keep Tolka. think Save Tolka campaign played a blinder and ran a superb media campaign in winning Keegan over considering his bad press with Dublin Corp over the last few years in particular. Great day for Loi football!

[ciaraa]

https://youtu.be/3rNaiBPNdUM

Footage here from the old Lourdes ground in drogheda (second half of video). Even then it was rough for a loi ground.

Great post thanks for that.

[Stav]

Well done to all but it will be interesting to see how much they have to pay to DCC before they start work on the proposed plans. Lot opf money involved but with a bit of luck it will happen and maybe be a template for other clubs in the city. Wonder what impact it will have on the Dalymount timeline.

[Glen Of Aherlow]

Well done to all but it will be interesting to see how much they have to pay to DCC before they start work on the proposed plans. Lot opf money involved but with a bit of luck it will happen and maybe be a template for other clubs in the city. Wonder what impact it will have on the Dalymount timeline.

Cal me a cynic but i can just see everything going on the long finger again for all three clubs , it's not as if Owen Keegan gives a damn

[Nesta99]

Cal me a cynic but i can just see everything going on the long finger again for all three clubs , it's not as if Owen Keegan gives a damn

€23m earmarked for his aborted vanity project might be burning a hole.

[Asterix]

Looked like work has started on the north stand in Tallaght.

[TonyD]

https://youtu.be/3rNaiBPNdUM

Footage here from the old Lourdes ground in drogheda (second half of video). Even then it was rough for a loi ground.

Is that first clip the Showgrounds ?

Yeah, the Lourdes stadium wasn’t good, but at the same time it looked to have more space for development, unlike United Park, which is incredibly hemmed in.


The pitches in those days though !!

[Jack B]

Will be interesting to see what the story with Richmond is. The club are understandably keeping their cards close to their chest after how the Richmond Arena move went, but they're saying they've found a way to get a "modern" stadium in the current location which had always seemed almost an impossibility.

[red bellied]

Is that first clip the Showgrounds ?

Yeah, the Lourdes stadium wasn’t good, but at the same time it looked to have more space for development, unlike United Park, which is incredibly hemmed in.


The pitches in those days though !!

Ya first clip is the Showgrounds, they won the league that year. The camera is facing the Jinks Avenue side which at the time was just a bank but money was then available after winning the league and a new stand was built for the following season and basically its more or less what's there today except all seated now. Roof was replaced at some stage as well.

[2 Year Contract]

So it looks like Dalymount won’t be going with the original plans in order to free up cash for Richmond and Tolka. On a positive note though they’re now looking at an 8,500 capacity for Dalymount rather than 6,000 and the ground will feel more like home for fans I’d imagine with the Jodi stand remaining

https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/dalymount-demolition-rebuild-scrapped-help-26941359

[D24Saint]

Its looking like it will be three upgrades instead on one landmark project. That suits our needs just fine for me. If we upgraded the main stand, the patrons and improve the two terraces it would be fantastic. Any clubhouse facilities that could be squeezed would be welcomed aswell.

[Antrim bob]

So it looks like Dalymount won’t be going with the original plans in order to free up cash for Richmond and Tolka. On a positive note though they’re now looking at an 8,500 capacity for Dalymount rather than 6,000 and the ground will feel more like home for fans I’d imagine with the Jodi stand remaining

https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/dalymount-demolition-rebuild-scrapped-help-26941359
That’s a better plan, retaining dalymount rather than another soul less legoland like tallaght

[John83]

I tend to treat all such projects as pie in the sky until they're actually being constructed. And the experience of Finn Harps has taught me not to trust even that! I suspect we will never see all three promised upgrades completed. Money will run out, NIMBYs will object, and priorities for the money will change before everything is built.

I think I'd rather see one good stadium than 3 bad ones patched up to be mediocre, but I'd also rather see 3 appropriately sized stadia than one white elephant. Which characterises the two plans better, I'm not sure.

Anyways, I hope to be pleasantly surprised. Legoland or not, Tallaght is a modern stadium rather than a decaying, flood-prone, hemmed-in ****box with inadequate parking. And I say that with some degree of affection for those grounds. Well, for two of them.

[Glen Of Aherlow]

That’s a better plan, retaining dalymount rather than another soul less legoland like tallaght

Would'nt be a great lover of the soulless Legoland but on the other hand it will soon be a 10,500 capacity all seater stadium with four sides , all covered. Dalymount from reading that article will end up with a three sided stadium , Tolka two and a half sides and Richmond who knows ?

That's if any of it even happens this side of 2040

[Straightstory]

We all know, in our hearts, that none of us will live to see any of this.

[CorribsideSteve]

We all know, in our hearts, that none of us will live to see any of this.

I'm reminded of that song 'In the Year 2525'. Leitrim will win the All ireland in hurling before any of this happens but it gives us hope in its speculatory form.

[bohsmug]

https://bohemianfc.com/?cat=5

Club Statement

Following media reports this morning, Bohemian Football Club would like to clarify the current position in relation to the proposed redevelopment of Dalymount Park, a project which has been progressing since the acquisition of the site in 2015 by Dublin City Council.

There has been no change in the preferred and planned redevelopment of the stadium into a 6,000-seater facility with ancillary community facilities.

Following funding from both the Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) and DCC, the design team, which was appointed in 2021, led by Idom with support by Gilroy and McMahon, has been undertaking works on multiple fronts in preparation for redevelopment.

Indeed, there is currently a contractor on site this week conducting complex ground investigations.

In 2021, thanks to DCC, the physical infrastructure of the stadium changed for the first time in decades with the removal of the roof of Des Kelly Stand, which facilitated the stand’s continued usage.

The tender for the demolition of the Connaught Street Stand, which has been out of use for over a decade, is currently live, and that major structure is due for removal before the end of this year.

All this necessary, costly and detailed work, both physical and otherwise, will feed into the preliminary design, which is due imminently.

This will then feed into the final design to progress to Part 8 Planning subject to cost.

The Board of Bohemian FC has always been aware, as with any project funded by public monies, that should costs escalate to an unsustainable level that there would need to be alternative options on the historic site.

These options could potentially involve redesign and would utilise all studies and works already undertaken and stay within the funding mechanism of LSSIF and DCC as combined sources.

Such a redesign could also deliver a higher capacity facility without the need for a long period out of Dalymount Park where we have played continuously since 1901.

[Glen Of Aherlow]

https://bohemianfc.com/?cat=5

Club Statement

Following media reports this morning, Bohemian Football Club would like to clarify the current position in relation to the proposed redevelopment of Dalymount Park, a project which has been progressing since the acquisition of the site in 2015 by Dublin City Council.

There has been no change in the preferred and planned redevelopment of the stadium into a 6,000-seater facility with ancillary community facilities.

Following funding from both the Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) and DCC, the design team, which was appointed in 2021, led by Idom with support by Gilroy and McMahon, has been undertaking works on multiple fronts in preparation for redevelopment.

Indeed, there is currently a contractor on site this week conducting complex ground investigations.

In 2021, thanks to DCC, the physical infrastructure of the stadium changed for the first time in decades with the removal of the roof of Des Kelly Stand, which facilitated the stand’s continued usage.

The tender for the demolition of the Connaught Street Stand, which has been out of use for over a decade, is currently live, and that major structure is due for removal before the end of this year.

All this necessary, costly and detailed work, both physical and otherwise, will feed into the preliminary design, which is due imminently.

This will then feed into the final design to progress to Part 8 Planning subject to cost.

The Board of Bohemian FC has always been aware, as with any project funded by public monies, that should costs escalate to an unsustainable level that there would need to be alternative options on the historic site.

These options could potentially involve redesign and would utilise all studies and works already undertaken and stay within the funding mechanism of LSSIF and DCC as combined sources.

Such a redesign could also deliver a higher capacity facility without the need for a long period out of Dalymount Park where we have played continuously since 1901.

This line is a classic : 'In 2021, thanks to DCC, the physical infrastructure of the stadium changed for the first time in decades with the removal of the roof of Des Kelly Stand, which facilitated the stand’s continued usage.'

Thanks to DCC the physical infrastructure of the stadium changed for the first time in decade when they knocked down one of only two roofs in the gaff