Stadium Updates (All Clubs)

[Louth4sam]

Any Dundalk fans know what the issue with the lease is?

“We still have the issue of the lease at Oriel Park not being resolved which prevents us at this moment in time from getting a Sports Capital Grant. That’s an issue that is in the pipeline to be resolved please God. If that is, then we will try and go from there."

We have a long term lease on Oriel Park with the strict condition football is played there. As far as I know there are problems applying for grants if you don't own the ground so I'd imagine this is the issue

[colonelwest]

Any Dundalk fans know what the issue with the lease is?

“We still have the issue of the lease at Oriel Park not being resolved which prevents us at this moment in time from getting a Sports Capital Grant. That’s an issue that is in the pipeline to be resolved please God. If that is, then we will try and go from there."


I suspect it relates to the ownership of Youth Development Centre (Oriel Active). It wasn't taken over by the new shareholders and is still owned by the previous owner. However, Oriel Park is leased to Dundalk FC with strict conditions as it's use.

Far as I know the YDC is on Gerry Matthews land, just the access to it is through OP which is owned by the Casey family and leased to DFC long term (think it's a 99 year lease? Could be wrong on that, vaguely remember it might be even longer than that!)

The rent for OP is extremely low but as White Horse said there are strict conditions to the terms of the lease:

Guaranteed use for football
The club has to control any licenced business/ premises inside OP/ on Casey owned OP land
The club can't sublet any part of OP to another company/ business.

Plenty more clauses in it but they're pretty much the relevant ones.

I remember when Gerry Matthews was finishing his tenure up as owner and the Casey family were 100% against any changes to the leasehold which may be detrimental to the football club and it's use of Oriel/ the land.

There was a lot of stuff behind the scenes sorted out when the new ownership took over as there were several grey areas between Gerry Matthews land the YDC was built on and the Casey owned OP coupled with the club having been the named party in getting a grant of the Dept of Sport to get the development of the YDC going, which was fine when the owner of the club/ other land was the same person but when the split happened that obviously complicated things then with the leasehold on the land/ club etc and GM then being in control of one and not the other. I assume that was all sorted out but I don't know the specifics bar the original plan for the YDC bars gate receipts to go to DFC & it to be sub let to Gerry Matthews then.

I would think that similar issues would arise with the leashold/ ownership of the land in relation to getting a Sports Capital Grant, i.e security of the lease, ownership of any new building work going on on the land and who actually would be the legal signatory on any grant/ legal documents etc.

It seems a bit of a clusterf**K but the Casey family are 100% DFC and have only ever looked out for the best interests of the club, just a far more complicated legal situation in order to get anything sorted.

[SalvadorSanchez]

I'd say it'd be like Tallaght, they've played American football and Rugby there, the National archery championships were held there too If I'm not mistaken
Suppose that'd be ok...

[Nesta99]

There have been previous grants awarded to Dundalk FC in the past and the lease was not an issue so it possible that the YDC caused a clusterf*ck in general that will have to be cleared up before another grant happens.

[Paddyfield]

Photo from Galway United Supporters Trust website of new players tunnel exit under the Comer Stand at Terryland

[colonelwest]

Photo from Galway United Supporters Trust website of new players tunnel exit under the Comer Stand at Terryland

What is this? A centre for ants?!

https://38.media.tumblr.com/ddd51256d3a94a133976df8d5057d333/tumblr_n7l20wuQuf1tuk7ruo3_400.gif

[brendy_éire]

Phase 1 of Brandywell work due to start on 28th May, apparently.
Glentoran stand to be demolished and new 1,800 seater stand with corporate facilities to be built in it's place.

I'll believe it when I see it.

[outspoken]

Phase 1 of Brandywell work due to start on 28th May, apparently.
Glentoran stand to be demolished and new 1,800 seater stand with corporate facilities to be built in it's place.

I'll believe it when I see it.

3G pitch to be installed in October according to journo on Twitter yesrerday

[pateen]

I see Limerick homes are marked for the Markets Field.

How is it coming along?

[SeanDMRooney]

Phase 1 of Brandywell work due to start on 28th May, apparently.
Glentoran stand to be demolished and new 1,800 seater stand with corporate facilities to be built in it's place.

I'll believe it when I see it.

Any link to that in the local press or anything ?

[Dodge]

Any link to that in the local press or anything ?

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-foyle-west-30876684

http://www.londonderrysentinel.co.uk/sport/football/derry-city/derry-city-duo-go-to-brentford-1-6528926


"We can now confirm the start date for 28 May when there will be diggers on site working on the stand. It's like a late Christmas present to be finally be told the start date."

[Jofspring]

I see Limerick homes are marked for the Markets Field.

How is it coming along?

Work going on all the time with diggers etc...in. Rumour going around though that the club have requested the first game of the season home to Bohs be switched to Dalymount and the licensing being lenient as the Markets Field won't meet the standard for the first few games.

Pictures on LEDP website, a Facebook page called Markets Field, the independent supporters club page and more.

[nigel-harps1954]

Is the actual building work starting on 28th May though, or just the demolition of the Glentoran stand? Seems as though, going by anything I've read so far, phase one is the clearing of the site and preparation of the new pitch?

[SeanDMRooney]

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-foyle-west-30876684

http://www.londonderrysentinel.co.uk/sport/football/derry-city/derry-city-duo-go-to-brentford-1-6528926

Well I mean if Windsor Park was anything to go by if it gets started it could fly up ?

[Aaron]

Is the actual building work starting on 28th May though, or just the demolition of the Glentoran stand? Seems as though, going by anything I've read so far, phase one is the clearing of the site and preparation of the new pitch?

Phase 1 involves clearing the Lone Moore Side, building stand with changing rooms, medical rooms and then pitch is being done, with Dog track being moved into the Showgrounds. Phase 2 will involve building rest of stand when money is cleared

[SeanDMRooney]

Phase 1 involves clearing the Lone Moore Side, building stand with changing rooms, medical rooms and then pitch is being done, with Dog track being moved into the Showgrounds. Phase 2 will involve building rest of stand when money is cleared

so is whats pictured here both phases ? http://www.derryjournal.com/news/first-pictures-reveal-new-look-brandywell-1-6163519

[Aaron]

Yeah thats how it will look when complete

[Kingdom]

In relation to Dalyer, if they lay an artificial pitch, which would be eligible for European/Uefa games, then surely they can't hold any other official ground sports such as rugby, gaa, hockey etc due to pitch markings, or has technology come on a huge amount now?

What I'd love to see, given the sheer space of the site, and considering the council are coming on board is to look at other possibilities. There is a school there (St. Peters?) that always looks cramped. You would imagine that with a redevelopment/new build, that the school could could be incorporated with state of the art technology and access to decent facilities.

I love Dalymount, and really this is a great opportunity to turn into a fantastic, modern, relevant city centre stadium. I have reservations as to whether that will happen. If the DCC aren't going to do that, then they'd be as well off selling it for residential units and building something more suitable elsewhere for the two clubs.

I don't see where the UEFA money and the FAI come into all of this though - referring to the soundbytes from Delaney months ago - it seems this is purely DCC paying off the debt, utilising Shels and then renting Dalymount. Are DCC going to redevelop, or is that where the UEFA money goes?

[Nesta99]

In relation to Dalyer, if they lay an artificial pitch, which would be eligible for European/Uefa games, then surely they can't hold any other official ground sports such as rugby, gaa, hockey etc due to pitch markings, or has technology come on a huge amount now?


White wash is white wash whether its on an artificial pitch or not. The field turf doesnt have to have premanent markings and could be marked as a grass pitch. The better technology would be to look at a hybrid pitch rather than plastic.

[colonelwest]

Any more updates/ pics on Markets Field? Ditto on Harps. Heard the floodlights were stuck into MF there, must get onto Wally to get down there and do a few updates.

[Jofspring]

Any more updates/ pics on Markets Field? Ditto on Harps. Heard the floodlights were stuck into MF there, must get onto Wally to get down there and do a few updates.

I think the bases for the floodlights were being installed this week alright. From looking a pics online there are a lot of work vans in there at the moment meaning a lot is going on simultaneously at the moment.

[toffeejay]

Will the new pitch be relayed closer to the stand along Southend Park? Slightly over the dog track?
Be better for atmosphere and give more room to build on the other side.

[brendy_éire]

Will the new pitch be relayed closer to the stand along Southend Park? Slightly over the dog track?
Be better for atmosphere and give more room to build on the other side.

Slightly, yes. But the corners of the pitch will still need to be 2m away from the wall of the Southend stand, so there will be a gap. Suppose it'll seem more open though, especially with fence around the dog track gone and the 'grass' going all the way to the wall of the stand.

[punkrocket]

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/rds-arena-to-get-a-revamp-1.2086031

Be nice if football grounds could get such a makeover.
There might be the odd game there I suppose.

[citybone]

Musgrave park got done up, If cork city get into Europe and demand is over 6k than it might be wise to move it to Mussers.

[Pablo Escobar]

Musgrave park got done up, If cork city get into Europe and demand is over 6k than it might be wise to move it to Mussers.

Turners Cross already holds 7,450.

[citybone]

Turners Cross already holds 7,450.

ok demand over 7,450 so.

[Jofspring]

Another update there. Dressing rooms almost completed and the piles for the floodlights are in place.

https://www.facebook.com/Marketsfield/posts/651539671639795:0

[Pablo]

ok demand over 7,450 so.


Most of Musgrave Parks capacity is standing so its not suitable

[seand]

There's always Flower Lodge, I suppose ;)

[toffeejay]

Slightly, yes. But the corners of the pitch will still need to be 2m away from the wall of the Southend stand, so there will be a gap. Suppose it'll seem more open though, especially with fence around the dog track gone and the 'grass' going all the way to the wall of the stand.

Would a better option not be to demolish the small part of the stand that curves, the one closest to Brandywell Road?
(Perhaps this might affect it structurally?)

Then eventually a small 500 seater or terraces could go in behind the goal?

Be a great little 3 sided stadium if done like that.

[nigel-harps1954]

Limerick have secured use of Jackman Park for the first part of the season.

[NeverFeltBetter]

It's not a PD level place by any stretch of the imagination. Away fans and teams will dislike it. Hopefully, it'll only be till June or July.

[Jofspring]

Anybody on here have a rough idea what their clubs pay in rent per game or even on a per season basis?

[Charlie Darwin]

Who owns Jackman?

[NeverFeltBetter]

The LDMC.

[patrickccfc]

I was looking forward to limerick away this year.. not so much now

[Jofspring]

I was looking forward to limerick away this year.. not so much now

We don't play Ye till may 16th so there is a possibility we will be in the Markets Field at that stage. That is the game we should be pushing to be back in for.

[El-Pietro]

We don't play Ye till may 16th so there is a possibility we will be in the Markets Field at that stage. That is the game we should be pushing to be back in for.
That would be a huge game to open the new stadium for.

[wonder88]

Yes the visit of Cork would be a great game to open the Markets Field.
I think whatever the rent clubs pay for use of a ground the idea that they would own or build one is not practical most of the time. Look at Mchale Park and the costs involved for the Mayo County Board for example.

[bluewhitearmy]

We don't play Ye till may 16th so there is a possibility we will be in the Markets Field at that stage. That is the game we should be pushing to be back in for.

Pat told one of the lads that Cork will be the first game in there.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Snarky I know, but I can't trust anything POS says about the Market's Field anymore.

[patrickccfc]

We don't play Ye till may 16th so there is a possibility we will be in the Markets Field at that stage. That is the game we should be pushing to be back in for.
Oh yeah for some reason I thought we were away to ye the 3rd week but we're home to ye the second week.. but yeah would be great if that was the opening game

[ger121]

Pat told one of the lads that Cork will be the first game in there.

I hope so for your sake but this is the LOI where nothing is ever guaranteed.

[Jofspring]

Markets Field:

The floodlights have arrived. The stand is being recovered in a new concrete cast. The stand has been prepped for the seats. Railings have been put up around the the pitch.

[Charlie Darwin]

Has Pat O'Sullivan told them to **** off with their ****ing floodlights yet?

[dublinwanderer]

Seemingly there is work ongoing down the Carlisle including removing the grass bank behind the goal, high fence the far end where the car park is, new sound system, Bar's going into the old sweat shop, new toilets for away fans and heard they are looking at getting new floodlights too... I will believe it when I see it!

[nigel-harps1954]

That could be where the new McGettigans bar in bray is going.

[White Horse]

An article in the Limerick Leader on the Market's Field development.

http://www.limerickleader.ie/sport/limerick-sport/markets-field-on-target-for-may-opening-1-6642273

It's a pity that the new stadium will cater for away fans by way of a small demountable stand behind the goal. I hate watching a game from behind the goal. So much of the game passes you by. It's pity there is nowhere else where away fans can be situated and actually see the game.

[rvp31]

What's a "demountable stand"?