Stadium Updates (All Clubs)

[Buckett]

Is that lease for exclusive use? Will the running track remain?
Galway Utd were recently in talks with Galway FA for a long term lease on Terryland, not sure how that's going

[Partizan]

Is that lease for exclusive use? Will the running track remain?
Galway Utd were recently in talks with Galway FA for a long term lease on Terryland, not sure how that's going

AFAIK, it's not for exclusive use as the running track will remain but it does make the case for redevelopment of the RSC (which plans for were drawing up a few years ago) a lot more solid.

[Nesta99]

The EU have banned pitches with microplastics/rubber tyre filling from 2031. There are alternatives available that use cork and the like.

About all Cork is good for!!

[EatYerGreens]

AFAIK, it's not for exclusive use as the running track will remain but it does make the case for redevelopment of the RSC (which plans for were drawing up a few years ago) a lot more solid.

Personally I loathe football grounds with running tracks. It pushes the crowd too far back, and really impacts both the view and the atmosphere/intensity. I appreciate that Waterford are hardly flushed with options since Kilcohan Park is no longer an option, but I jusst think the RSC will prove limiting for them.

[Larry 'da' Wyse]

About all Cork is good for!!

Not all Cork happy with them. Sultans from way back ...
https://www.footballandmusic.co.uk/sultans-of-ping-fc/no-more-plastic-pitches/

[Martinho II]

See that Cobh Ramblers are moving to turners cross at start of next season as they are turning the pitch Astro now!

[JC_GUFC]

Personally I loathe football grounds with running tracks. It pushes the crowd too far back, and really impacts both the view and the atmosphere/intensity. I appreciate that Waterford are hardly flushed with options since Kilcohan Park is no longer an option, but I jusst think the RSC will prove limiting for them.

I agree but Kilcohan is a dog track too so they’re used to some sort of track around the pitch.

The atmosphere is decent in the old stand at Waterford these days.

Bar a whole new stadium there aren’t really any other options for them. The Waterford FA ground Ozier Park isn’t suitable at all for LoI.

[Martinho II]

I agree but Kilcohan is a dog track too so they’re used to some sort of track around the pitch.

The atmosphere is decent in the old stand at Waterford these days.

Bar a whole new stadium there aren’t really any other options for them. The Waterford FA ground Ozier Park isn’t suitable at all for LoI.

Kilcohan was a place I was never in JC. Wheres Ozier Park?

[ForzaForth]

Ozier Park is about 10 minutes walk from the RSC but nearer to the middle of Waterford city. Quite close to the big Tesco at Poleberry if you know it. Up a lane so you don't really get a good view of it unless you're in it. Appears on Google Maps if you search for it.

[SPXcyan]

Tis a lovely non-league type of ground, but not even close to LOI standards.

[Nesta99]

For any stadium development nerds there is some interesting reading below. Would be good if there was an upated UEFA guide for small stadia. I dont have access to a current copy of the Green Guide which is the stadium safety bible that basically guides all deveopments and deals with temporary, semi permanent structures etc- all the stuff that is most relevant to LoI. If someone wants to pay the £95 and share feel free. There is a worked example which may be of interest to people wondering why ED Park may seem like it had an unnecessary restricted capacity for the cup semi final. The last link being from 1996 I think is interesting to see how regulations change and for Harps fans get the lie of the land on how plans for their new stadium could change over the next 20-25 years and could maybe get ahead of the curve and get applying for grants for the reviewed review of the review of reviewed plans.

https://sgsa.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Worked-Example-A-Football-and-Rugby.pdf

https://editorial.uefa.com/resources/01f9-0f842793b513-3ec14e88e0ef-1000/uefa_guide_to_quality_stadiums.pdf

https://laois.ie/wp-content/uploads/Code-of-Practice-for-Safety-at-Sports-Grounds.pdf

[Larry 'da' Wyse]

The 6th edition of the Guide to safety at sports grounds aka Green guide (2018) is in the public library, if its of interest.

[Nesta99]

Everyone is looking for a slice of the pie! €35mil for 3300 regardless of ancilliary facilities and shared sports areas still seems a bit much. Its not a pressing need for the sport either imo with some modernisation of existing facilities sufficient. If this gets the go ahead in the absence of any progress on LoI facility funding then serious questions will have to be asked - trust after the old FAI regime and the faux pas by the current lot may be very hard earned. One thing of note when in Iceland, in particular. for European games is the multi sport aspect of clubs and how shared spaces seemed to cut duplication while still providing good access to sports - rather than 1 place to serve the country there could be a number of acceptable sized arenas at existing football clubs. If done properly (big shed looks aside) the YDC in Oriel is ideally suited as a regional centre/campus that could be developed up to national standard to host national events for part of €35m, the Showgrounds similar. The clubs and many other sports get side by side benefits. The YDC has already hosted international and world championship events in Badminton. Again I wish there was some attempt at joined up thinking rather than sports trying to go it alone (GAA pulled it off rooted in discrimination), resulting in funding being spread so thinly that there is a bunch of half baked efforts rather than fewer properly done facilities - 4 lane athletic track type efforts.
https://www.rte.ie/sport/basketball/2023/1219/1422781-35m-redevelopment-of-national-basketball-arena-planned/

[nr637]

See that Cobh Ramblers are moving to turners cross at start of next season as they are turning the pitch Astro now!

How many of the league's 20 clubs have an astro type pitch, I know Dundalk and I think Derry have?

:confused:

[joey B]

How many of the league's 20 clubs have an astro type pitch, I know Dundalk and I think Derry have?

:confused:

Athlone and Kerry aswell along with Cobh installing one now…..

[nr637]

Any update on the new proposed terrace area stand for Derry?

[nigel-harps1954]

Any update on the new proposed terrace area stand for Derry?

No idea how true, but was told there was objections from residents and there's a hold up with it.

[oriel]

DFC have a Q+A with new owner tonight, Brian Ainscough, its on in oriel park.

Have heard plans are for new pitch and lights in 2025 and for seating behind each goal (no date) and replacement seats on the 3k that are already in, but would assume 2025 for all of that, he may allude to more detail tonight.

Then again, we have down this road many times.................

[nr637]

DFC have a Q+A with new owner tonight, Brian Ainscough, its on in oriel park.

Have heard plans are for new pitch and lights in 2025 and for seating behind each goal (no date) and replacement seats on the 3k that are already in, but would assume 2025 for all of that, he may allude to more detail tonight.

Then again, we have down this road many times.................


Hope someone asks him why he left Kerry FC ?

[EatYerGreens]

Hope someone asks him why he left Kerry FC ?

Presumably because Dundalk have more potential than Kerry FC. It'll almost certainly be due to that harsh reality.

[pateen]

DFC have a Q+A with new owner tonight, Brian Ainscough, its on in oriel park.

Have heard plans are for new pitch and lights in 2025 and for seating behind each goal (no date) and replacement seats on the 3k that are already in, but would assume 2025 for all of that, he may allude to more detail tonight.

Then again, we have down this road many times.................

And stuff like that is not cheap anymore

[EatYerGreens]

No idea how true, but was told there was objections from residents and there's a hold up with it.

It's already received planning permisison though, so that can't be an issue.

[A N Mouse]

It's already received planning permisison though, so that can't be an issue.

There been few stories about back and forth with NI Water over capacity to handle waste in the area. Think one suggested POD was going to pay for any remedial work.

Course now I'm looking for something to link to google is failing me, but want to say last update was shortly before Christmas.

So it might happen this side of 2025. Or once NIW have rinsed POD, he'll no longer be a billionaire, but the water network around Belfast will be able to cope with the couple extra domestic swimming pools that got installed.

[D24Saint]

Dundalk’s new owner Brian Ainscough labels club’s Oriel Park home a ‘pigsty’ | Independent.ie (https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/dundalks-new-owner-brian-ainscough-labels-clubs-oriel-park-home-a-pigsty/a1785222002.html)

Article in the Irish Independent about the recent meeting in Dundalk.

[dundalkfc10]

Dundalk’s new owner Brian Ainscough labels club’s Oriel Park home a ‘pigsty’ | Independent.ie (https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/dundalks-new-owner-brian-ainscough-labels-clubs-oriel-park-home-a-pigsty/a1785222002.html)

Article in the Irish Independent about the recent meeting in Dundalk.

I wish I was at that meeting last night as ive been tokld nobody wanted to ask him a hard question.

When asked about the state of Oriel for the Longford game, he said it was bad etc and it would be resolved before the Drogheda game! but nobody thought to ask him why was it not done before Longford game, wasnt as if he wasnt around and never seen the place in the days leading upto the game.

No question on why Hoban was allowed leave (he was under contract)
No question on why we are 4 weeks away from start season and still need at least 4 players according to the manager
No question on why the bar was closed last game/no shop open for even a cup of tea (He did say he was looking get someone run bar alright but surely they could got someone behind bar pull pints for few hours before a friendly ffs)

[oriel]

I wish I was at that meeting last night as ive been tokld nobody wanted to ask him a hard question.

When asked about the state of Oriel for the Longford game, he said it was bad etc and it would be resolved before the Drogheda game! but nobody thought to ask him why was it not done before Longford game, wasnt as if he wasnt around and never seen the place in the days leading upto the game.

This was asked by a girl, possibly the first question.

No question on why Hoban was allowed leave (he was under contract)

Yes thought that was odd, it was not asked.

No question on why we are 4 weeks away from start season and still need at least 4 players according to the manager.

I suppose that's a Q more for the manager / recruitment.

No question on why the bar was closed last game/no shop open for even a cup of tea (He did say he was looking get someone run bar alright but surely they could got someone behind bar pull pints for few hours before a friendly ffs)

Maybe they didn't want bar open for 'boozed up fans' the last thing these gigs need is heckling / out of order. That said maybe a new crew are being put together to run the two bars, as can't imagine there would be much trade off season, but there used to be a Sunday Night club, and seems a long time ago since 21st etc were held, big loss of revenue and needs to be addressed.






https://x.com/DundalkFC/status/1750152966663758067?s=20

Audio here- he is not promising to fix things today, but seemingly new portable seating might go in this season and he spoke about re-location of away fans. Anyone remember the League Cup Fina 2014 v Sham Rovers and final game v Cork City same season, a portable seating structure was installed behind the goal at the away fans end, almost similar but probably more modern that what Pats have behind their home goal now, that would do the trick and would look so much better at both ends.

[oriel]

Dundalk’s new owner Brian Ainscough labels club’s Oriel Park home a ‘pigsty’ | Independent.ie (https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/dundalks-new-owner-brian-ainscough-labels-clubs-oriel-park-home-a-pigsty/a1785222002.html)

Article in the Irish Independent about the recent meeting in Dundalk.

Don't think too many would disagree with that, two previous owners did almost nothing for spectator facilities, but ones before StatSports led group did spend over 2M, (P6 with Mike Tracey - before Mad Bill took over) on a new pitch, kitting out YDC and gym / players canteen etc inside / paid off council planning fees, but almost nothing for fans that you can see.

[Shinkicker]

I wish I was at that meeting last night as ive been tokld nobody wanted to ask him a hard question.

When asked about the state of Oriel for the Longford game, he said it was bad etc and it would be resolved before the Drogheda game! but nobody thought to ask him why was it not done before Longford game, wasnt as if he wasnt around and never seen the place in the days leading upto the game.

No question on why Hoban was allowed leave (he was under contract)
No question on why we are 4 weeks away from start season and still need at least 4 players according to the manager
No question on why the bar was closed last game/no shop open for even a cup of tea (He did say he was looking get someone run bar alright but surely they could got someone behind bar pull pints for few hours before a friendly ffs)
I see here you guys need 4 players! Imagine how it feels to be a Bohs Supporter with four weeks to go and news tonight that James McManus could be off to Coventry city. It's looking grim at this point.

[oriel]

https://x.com/DundalkFC/status/1750194395725332606?s=20

Well we only signed a GK today, actually had zero on the books as of this am, agent fxxxed up Shepherd deal, Cherrie not offered a deal and no 3 went to Glenavon to play under former DFC player now their manager, Stephen McDonnell.

[EatYerGreens]

I wish I was at that meeting last night as ive been tokld nobody wanted to ask him a hard question.

When asked about the state of Oriel for the Longford game, he said it was bad etc and it would be resolved before the Drogheda game! but nobody thought to ask him why was it not done before Longford game, wasnt as if he wasnt around and never seen the place in the days leading upto the game.

No question on why Hoban was allowed leave (he was under contract)
No question on why we are 4 weeks away from start season and still need at least 4 players according to the manager
No question on why the bar was closed last game/no shop open for even a cup of tea (He did say he was looking get someone run bar alright but surely they could got someone behind bar pull pints for few hours before a friendly ffs)

Dundalk fans only have themselves to blame for not asking the right questions so.

[Nesta99]

If you ask the right questions you might get the wrong answers!!

Questions above at least some can be answered without going to BA. Why was Hoban allowed to leave? Manager outlined his plans for 2024, didnt sit well with Hoban, he decided to leave - could have been resolved financially with new ownership but damage done on a football level between manager and player, done now and move on. Why are players still needed 4 weeks out from the season start? Change of ownership restricted recruitment when budgets were up in the air and yes its a case of playing catch up. Why was the bar closed? Previous ownership run down the level of staff and stock and initially there is need to (re)build volunteers/staff to give a dig out and get someone in to oversee things on at least an interim basis. Its not just about pulling pints, its also about palatable pints from a bar thats been out of use for a while. No shop, no soup, no tayto.....probably cause a lot of such stuff just gets done by volunteers, if a club is a miserable place to be the volunteers, even the stalwarts can take a step back with a wait and see on the new owner. Next game bar oopen and fully stocked, tayto and all and if not then yup, time to ask why.

Again its a case of wait and see if BA's leadership will make a difference but in the time he has had since buying in, I reckon there was a lot more pressing issues to deal with, Hoban, squad recruitmet/retention in general, licencing stuff, exemptions pending eg grant applications. Getting to know staff and volunteers and appropriate delegation. Convincing investors to buy in etc etc.

A lot of the outstanding issues would be under the remit of a general manager, COO or whatever other fancy title. Do we have one? A more pressing question imo if so is what have they been doing to prepare for a new season irrespective of ownership - basic tidy up of the ground, having the stalwart volunteers on soup duty - doesnt or didnt need the new owners endorsement. Unless so many people have stepped back that a major effort is needed to reconnect with volunteers and for some micro managing a few old egos to get them back.

There are questions that answer themselves, ones that wont get an answer (yet) and ones that ye couldnt be bothered trying. Time has been against the club and new owner, not for the first time for Dundalk FC in recent seasons, its a tad too early to expect widespred fixes to the broad number of supporter gripes. If Im about come the 2024 close season I will lead from the front with all the difficult questions + some!!

[placid casual]

Story in the Independent today claiming the go ahead about to be given for redevelopment of dalymount pk. Not before time,and hopefully this protracted project can see some actual work done-Planning in Ireland,and Dublin in particular is such a snakepit, and symptomatic of the grubby political system we have here.
Presume bohs would go to tolka while development is done?

https://m.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/dalymount-park-redevelopment-set-to-be-given-green-light-by-councillors/a1415391876.html

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

There was some talk of them maybe going to the RDS

[sbgawa]

Theyll pay through the nose for the RDS and would be lost in it from an atmosphere point of view.
Tolka makes sense plus think of the CO2 created with all the Bohs fans traveling over to the southside compared to walking to Tolka

[D24Saint]

There was some talk of them maybe going to the RDS

Id imagine that would be a costly stadium to rent. Also playing football on a rugby pitch is never ideal. It would be a novelty as a away fan.

[kksaints]

Thought there was rumours of Bohs playing in Richmond Park when Dalymount is been redeveloped.

[nigel-harps1954]

Throw up a handful of temporary stands in the Phoenix Park. Be grand.

[2 Year Contract]

Thought there was rumours of Bohs playing in Richmond Park when Dalymount is been redeveloped.

There was a rumour flying about that Bohs had agreed it with pats but that was shot down quickly at the time by the pats club president who said that the clubs hadn’t even spoken about it

[RealJohn91]

Don't see Tolka happening at all especially with how awkward the fallout around the groundshare was.

[D24Saint]

Is the Morton Stadium an option.

[RealJohn91]

Is the Morton Stadium an option.
DCU took out a 40 year lease for it in 2021 so I would imagine it probably is alright with Bohs using their facilities already for the training ground.

[D24Saint]

DCU took out a 40 year lease for it in 2021 so I would imagine it probably is alright with Bohs using their facilities already for the training ground.

It could work them. Id say they could move the Mono stand over there aswell.

[thebronze14]

Would need a good bit of remedial work for Morton Stadium to be viable. I can't imagine they would get a certificate for many more than a thousand for there

[EatYerGreens]

Don't see Tolka happening at all especially with how awkward the fallout around the groundshare was.

Does DCC not own Tolka ?

[D24Saint]

Does DCC not own Tolka ?

Yeah they do actually. Wasn't the Save Tolka park campaign directed at the councils plan with the ground for housing.

[nigel-harps1954]

Would need a good bit of remedial work for Morton Stadium to be viable. I can't imagine they would get a certificate for many more than a thousand for there

Seems there plenty of plans to fix up Morton in the next few years with €3m already spent on it by DCU.

https://www.dcu.ie/commsteam/news/2023/sep/initial-phase-eu3m-upgrade-morton-stadium-complete

[Another Bohemia]

Seems there plenty of plans to fix up Morton in the next few years with €3m already spent on it by DCU.

https://www.dcu.ie/commsteam/news/2023/sep/initial-phase-eu3m-upgrade-morton-stadium-complete

The problem is there's only about 800 seats in Morton. Unless that drastically increases I doubt it's an option. I'd say Tolka is still the plan since it is still owned by the council. Even if ownership changes hands I can't imagine Shels turning down the money they would get that can be used to improve Tolka or their squad. Has there been any updates about the purchase of Tolka since Shels has been sold or is that dead in the water now?

[thebronze14]

Seems there plenty of plans to fix up Morton in the next few years with €3m already spent on it by DCU.

https://www.dcu.ie/commsteam/news/2023/sep/initial-phase-eu3m-upgrade-morton-stadium-complete

Looks a bit better now tbf...If that terrace opposite the main stand has toilet/ catering facilities then it isn't as bad as I remember

[nigel-harps1954]

Big problem with Tolka is the pitch. The ground staff would have huge issues having a game every week on what can be a difficult enough pitch at the best of times.

[RealJohn91]

Big problem with Tolka is the pitch. The ground staff would have huge issues having a game every week on what can be a difficult enough pitch at the best of times.
They already have that with the women's team playing there tbf but another team would make it even worse definitely.