Stadium Updates (All Clubs)

[Buller]

130m x 80m is minimum for a GAA pitch, 120m x 90m is maximum for a football pitch. So, assuming they wouldn't want to go minimum with the GAA pitch you'd probably be adding maybe 12-15 meters beyond what would be need for football alone. Not massive, and I'd say a good bit less that with an athletics track, but the smaller the stands the bigger the gap would probably seem. It never looked too bad in Croke park, but the stands dwarf the pitch in any case.

RSC example is spot on for dimensions, it has a 97m width distance between the two stands on google maps.

[EatYerGreens]

130m x 80m is minimum for a GAA pitch, 120m x 90m is maximum for a football pitch. So, assuming they wouldn't want to go minimum with the GAA pitch you'd probably be adding maybe 12-15 meters beyond what would be need for football alone. Not massive, and I'd say a good bit less that with an athletics track, but the smaller the stands the bigger the gap would probably seem. It never looked too bad in Croke park, but the stands dwarf the pitch in any case.

Plus they'd have the cost and hassle of repainting the pitch for every game there. That's ok for Lansdowne, where games aren't that frequenct and the money involved is huge. But for an LOI club and a small GAA County - would they want the cost and hassle ?

[placid casual]

Has anyone bothered to ask why they want to invest in GAA facilities, and more pertinently, Louth GAA facilities.
I won't pretend to be up to speed with who does what succeswise in the aul bogball, but don't remember louth "troubling the scorers much" in my lifetime.. Could dundalk or a joint effort of drogs/dundalk not convinced them that their citizenship can be bought using football facilities, with teams that have at least "troubled the scorers" in the past

[outspoken]

Lots of talk about about why Dundalk can't ground share etc. Large part of the new gaa stadium is standing, wouldn't comply with UEFA requirements therefore they'd still end up in Tallaght. The whole idea of a new stadium in Dundalk or an upgraded Oriel is they can have big European nights in the town.

[EatYerGreens]

Has anyone bothered to ask why they want to invest in GAA facilities, and more pertinently, Louth GAA facilities.
I won't pretend to be up to speed with who does what succeswise in the aul bogball, but don't remember louth "troubling the scorers much" in my lifetime.. Could dundalk or a joint effort of drogs/dundalk not convinced them that their citizenship can be bought using football facilities, with teams that have at least "troubled the scorers" in the past

Surely its the State that decides where and when this money gets allocated ? I don't think a cosy chat from a couple of clubs is going to change much in all honesty. There will presumably be very clear processes re applying for funding from it. I don't think Irish football really wants to open the pandora's box of performance-related public funding

[oldfan]

I think the State only checks out the investors/philanthropists to make sure they're not too dodgy.
What Sport or arts facility they donate to is up to them but obviously has to be one of the things listed in whatever Act allows this "cash for visas".

[Philosophizer]

The whole idea of a new stadium in Dundalk or an upgraded Oriel is they can have big European nights in the town.
The gaa ground wouldn?t be perfect, but so what if they still had to use Tallaght every now and again.
Is it really worth building a 10k all seater for euro games that may never actually happen. Dundalk average attendance is about 3k.

[nigel-harps1954]

Sounds like the RSC, no?

Exactly..

[ToberonaTornado]

Lots of talk about about why Dundalk can't ground share etc. Large part of the new gaa stadium is standing, wouldn't comply with UEFA requirements therefore they'd still end up in Tallaght. The whole idea of a new stadium in Dundalk or an upgraded Oriel is they can have big European nights in the town.

Louth GAA seem to be proposing a 4080 capacity seated stand(could change < or >) which is Cat 2. For Cat 3 your looking for only 420 extra seated accom - which isn't beyond doable.

Maybe worth nothing in long term but it's also worth some consideration that the guys from StatSports are the current shirt sponsors of the Louth GAA Senior team and have built up a great relationship with them in recent years.

https://louthgaa.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/211130_dg040-scaled-900x600.jpg

[nigel-harps1954]

UEFA Categories are about much more than just capacity though. GAA stadia tend to prioritise capacity over facilities, where many of the stadia around the 32 counties have capacity for UEFA category 3 or 4, I'd wager that none of them, bar perhaps Croke Park, would pass all Cat 4 requirements, and even Cat 3.

[nigel-harps1954]

Anyone who can get behind the draw to help make this a reality would be highly appreciated.

First proper visuals we've seen, and it's beautiful.

1583130420006092806

[Martinho II]

Anyone who can get behind the draw to help make this a reality would be highly appreciated.

First proper visuals we've seen, and it's beautiful.

1583130420006092806

Heard the interview on Johnny Wards and Dan McDonnells podcast hes one of the Mr Men isnt he Nigel?

[Mr A]

Indeed he is

You can read even more in depth blethering here: https://www.extratime.com/articles/29496/finn-harps-new-stadium-plans-and-vision-for-the-future/

[Buller]

Great stuff! That video is Galway United DVD material.

Great that Finn Park is being retained for the academy too, massive bonus.

Is that concrete shell of a stand that currently exists being retained in the new stadium? The seated stands in that video looked very small only 5 or 6 rows tall.

[Neish]

Great stuff! That video is Galway United DVD material.

The seated stands in that video looked very small only 5 or 6 rows tall.

Well the video may not be exactly how it will look but 6 row of say 20 seats is 120 x 15 or so blocks and its 1800 seats in one stand

[nigel-harps1954]

Current existing structure is being kept yeah. I think it's something like 1950 seats in it, so there'll certainly be much more than 5 or 6 rows in that. The far side will be slightly smaller though, about 1,400 seats, so could be looking at that side having 7 or 8 rows deep.

[ger121]

Indeed he is

You can read even more in depth blethering here: https://www.extratime.com/articles/29496/finn-harps-new-stadium-plans-and-vision-for-the-future/

When I heard the piece on the podcast, I was wondering if he and the Mr A on here, were one and the same.

[bohsmug]

Well the video may not be exactly how it will look but 6 row of say 20 seats is 120 x 15 or so blocks and its 1800 seats in one stand

Can only assume you're thinking of GAA pitchside stands cos I'd have that as about a 50% overestimation. Pitchside stand would be circa 200 seats per row, give or take.

It's a great way to build a stadium I think. An impressive main stand and then decent functional (and covered!) stands for the rest. I hope they get the camera pointed at the main stand.

[Mr A]

When I heard the piece on the podcast, I was wondering if he and the Mr A on here, were one and the same.

Pretty sure we are. Never been in the same room as another one anyway.

[Mr A]

Well the video may not be exactly how it will look but 6 row of say 20 seats is 120 x 15 or so blocks and its 1800 seats in one stand

Yeah the existing structure will remain part of it so the main stand part of video is slightly inaccurate as in reality it will be more substantial- we will have a better version in time but with draw approaching used what we had.

[Martinho II]

Pretty sure we are. Never been in the same room as another one anyway.

hint hint the first time I heard of ye guy was from yer fanzine. Think I ordered a handful of fanzines from ye from guts of 20 yrs ago now!

[Mr A]

Ha! Down to the River to Pray (DTTR).. Mr T and I drove that, while also doing a bunch of club stuff too. Nowhere like an LOI club for having plenty of hats.

And of course we both ended up owed money, but sure you'll have that

[Mr A]

Tonight is the night of the big Harps draw! If you are sick of the terrible away facilities at Finn Park, this is your chance to help change that, and sure you might win €20,000 in the process.

https://annualdraw.finnharpsfc.ie/

[passinginterest]

Tonight is the night of the big Harps draw! If you are sick of the terrible away facilities at Finn Park, this is your chance to help change that, and sure you might win €20,000 in the process.

https://annualdraw.finnharpsfc.ie/

Looking forward to the call telling me I've won the €20k!

Was at the Rovers match in Tallaght last night and new stand looks steeper and taller than any of the others. I think having the structure there is already helping to increase the noise level and atmosphere. With the improved corporate facilities etc. that it's going to bring it should be a fantastic facility once it opens.

[Philosophizer]

Was at the Rovers match in Tallaght last night and new stand looks steeper and taller than any of the others. I think having the structure there is already helping to increase the noise level and atmosphere. With the improved corporate facilities etc. that it's going to bring it should be a fantastic facility once it opens.
I thought the same when I saw it last night. I should have got some pictures and posted them here now that I think of it. It kind of dwarfs the main stand a bit. It will be significantly higher than the main stand.

I’m guessing they’ll put their own singing section there and then move away supporters to the south stand?

[EatYerGreens]

Looking forward to the call telling me I've won the €20k!

Was at the Rovers match in Tallaght last night and new stand looks steeper and taller than any of the others. I think having the structure there is already helping to increase the noise level and atmosphere. With the improved corporate facilities etc. that it's going to bring it should be a fantastic facility once it opens.

More importantly - does it stifle the wind ? :)

[EatYerGreens]

I thought the same when I saw it last night. I should have got some pictures and posted them here now that I think of it. It kind of dwarfs the main stand a bit. It will be significantly higher than the main stand.

I’m guessing they’ll put their own singing section there and then move away supporters to the south stand?

The South Stand is the trickiest to manage regarding away fans though, as they'd have to go past the home fans to get there. So from a crowd safety and security point of view - and acknowledging the fact that issues regarding an element of Rovers support are not exactly unherd of - it would surely makes most sense to house away supporters at a point nearer to where they can be separated and get in and out of the area with minimum contact with home support ? Or is that worrying too much about all of this ?

[sbgawa]

I'd say the away support will be kept in the East stand as it is now.

[Philosophizer]

I'd say the away support will be kept in the East stand as it is now.
That would be a shame. It would be some spectacle to see the home fans in the big new north stand and the away fans filling the south stand - mainly thinking of the derbies against Bohs. Pats and Shels who could pack out the south end.

[placid casual]

There is no chance of the away fans getting near the South Stand. Keep them in the east stand at the square end. I don't think the North stand will be opened for most of the games tbh, as the attendences will not require it. No opposition LOI fans would bring more than 1,100 to Tallaght anyway, except maybe for latter stages cup games or potential top 2 meetings I'd say. Hopefully the European games will see enough interest to have all 4 stands open.

[2 Year Contract]

There is no chance of the away fans getting near the South Stand. Keep them in the east stand at the square end. I don't think the North stand will be opened for most of the games tbh, as the attendences will not require it. No opposition LOI fans would bring more than 1,100 to Tallaght anyway, except maybe for latter stages cup games or potential top 2 meetings I'd say. Hopefully the European games will see enough interest to have all 4 stands open.

Pats brought more than 1100 to Tallaght in both league games this season as well as 1500 for a glorified friendly in February. Allocation sold out on all 3 occasions

[Partizan]

Anyone who can get behind the draw to help make this a reality would be highly appreciated.

First proper visuals we've seen, and it's beautiful.

1583130420006092806

I think I'll be in a zimmerframe by the time Harps build that stadium.

[nigel-harps1954]

I think I'll be in a zimmerframe by the time Harps build that stadium.

Sorry to hear you're planning on having those sort of health issues in the coming years.

[Philosophizer]

No opposition LOI fans would bring more than 1,100 to Tallaght anyway, except maybe for latter stages cup games or potential top 2 meetings I'd say.
Well that’s already been disproven by the post above.
I’d say that Bohs, Pats and Shels would easily bring a lot more fans to Tallaght than Derry. Often more than 1100, as long as they’re offered the tickets.
The Rovers/Bohs match is quite a big event these days. I’d say a few hundred neutrals and day trippers go along to that one, as well as it bringing casual fans out of the woodwork.
Keeping it empty would be a bit weird, especially if games are on tv it would look better to put fans in it.

[culloty82]

Dublin City Council gives the Option 3A Dalymount development the green light - on the one hand, a compact, four-stand, almost 8,000 capacity ground would seem ideal for Bohs, but on the other, after all the protracted planning so far, fans will have to wait a further three years for completion:

https://bohemianfc.com/?p=18646

[EatYerGreens]

Sorry to hear you're planning on having those sort of health issues in the coming years.

Ant word on how much the Harps fundraiisng draw raised Nigel ? What's the plan to make up the shortfall if there was one?

[EatYerGreens]

Dublin City Council gives the Option 3A Dalymount development the green light - on the one hand, a compact, four-stand, almost 8,000 capacity ground would seem ideal for Bohs, but on the other, after all the protracted planning so far, fans will have to wait a further three years for completion:

https://bohemianfc.com/?p=18646

Isn't 8,000 bigger than the previous proposal (6k) ?

So long as the design enables future expansion if required, then this is probably about as much as Bohs fans could hope for in reality. They're not in a great position to try to call the shots really.

[nigel-harps1954]

Ant word on how much the Harps fundraiisng draw raised Nigel ? What's the plan to make up the shortfall if there was one?

Never heard any figure yet. It's just one of a number of fundraising initiatives though. Sponsorship will play a big part in it, especially naming rights.

[nigel-harps1954]

Dublin City Council gives the Option 3A Dalymount development the green light - on the one hand, a compact, four-stand, almost 8,000 capacity ground would seem ideal for Bohs, but on the other, after all the protracted planning so far, fans will have to wait a further three years for completion:

https://bohemianfc.com/?p=18646

€40 million.

The boom is back baby.

[Shinkicker]

Isn't 8,000 bigger than the previous proposal (6k) ?

So long as the design enables future expansion if required, then this is probably about as much as Bohs fans could hope for in reality. They're not in a great position to try to call the shots really.
This is disappointing news to some extent. This is a new stadium and the orientation of the pitch changed estimated €40 million . The last word from Bohs was a renovated Jodi and new stand on the Connaught side with stands or safe terracing behind the goals. Leave the orientation of the pitch capacity approx 10,000 estimate €30 million, but as you say as long as it enables future expansion it will have to do.

[ger121]

Dublin City Council gives the Option 3A Dalymount development the green light - on the one hand, a compact, four-stand, almost 8,000 capacity ground would seem ideal for Bohs, but on the other, after all the protracted planning so far, fans will have to wait a further three years for completion:

https://bohemianfc.com/?p=18646

I’m worried about this proposal. Something is just off with this plan and the never ending stadium saga. €40 million will become €50 million due to delays and rising costs and it will be back to the drawing board for option 3a(ii)

[sbgawa]

Why not just stick a stand in opposite the jodi and have safe terracing on both ends? Is this just the council looking for "community facilities" rather than just sorting the stadium?
Bohs wouldn't even have to move out to do what I'm suggesting.
Sometimes perfection is the enemy of getting things done

[Glen Of Aherlow]

Why not just stick a stand in opposite the jodi and have safe terracing on both ends? Is this just the council looking for "community facilities" rather than just sorting the stadium?
Bohs wouldn't even have to move out to do what I'm suggesting.
Sometimes perfection is the enemy of getting things done

Can they put anything decent down the shopping center end if the the pitch orientation is left as is ?

[Philosophizer]

Why not just stick a stand in opposite the jodi and have safe terracing on both ends? Is this just the council looking for "community facilities" rather than just sorting the stadium?
Bohs wouldn't even have to move out to do what I'm suggesting.
Sometimes perfection is the enemy of getting things done
Bang on sbgawa! This has always been the most sensible option.

[Philosophizer]

Can they put anything decent down the shopping center end if the the pitch orientation is left as is ?
Maximum they’d be able to achieve would be a very thin stand. We’re talking a capacity of only a few hundred.
Could be a nice little away section though.

[outspoken]

What UEFA category will it be? Bit pointless spending that kind of doh if you can't host European games there down the line

[Philosophizer]

I’m worried about this proposal. Something is just off with this plan and the never ending stadium saga. €40 million will become €50 million due to delays and rising costs and it will be back to the drawing board for option 3a(ii)
I’m fairly underwhelmed by this myself. Keeping the Jodi and the current pitch orientation and rebuilding the other 3 stands to an 9-10k capacity, with one big terrace at des Kelly end (option 2) seemed the best proposal all along. All the talk a few months ago was that a total rebuild was too costly and didn’t make sense. But now they’ve pulled an option 3 out of somewhere, which is basically option 1 with improved capacity.
All this faffing around is getting annoying. Option 2 would have been the cheapest and best option for all.

[nigel-harps1954]

Am I the only person who thinks €40 million is an insane amount of money for a stadium of this size?

[ger121]

Am I the only person who thinks €40 million is an insane amount of money for a stadium of this size?

It won’t stop at €40 million either.

[Philosophizer]

Am I the only person who thinks €40 million is an insane amount of money for a stadium of this size?
Everything about this decision is mental.
I checked Twitter earlier and in the hundreds of comments about it I didn’t see any in favour, not one.