Stadium Updates (All Clubs)

[Nesta99]

Any more though than a mediocre poorly maintained grass pitch after a spell of dry weather, or a sodden pitch where there is no bounce, or long grass uncut to make a passing game difficult and so on. The Dundalk pitch should be better and more consistent than what it is for what it is. The ball bobbles too much on a daisycutting pass and maybe bounces too high. But there is room for debate on whether it is that much worse for unpredictability than some other pitches. Kenny took a training session to one of the worst pitches in town at the Army Barracks prior to the Bray game and had balls pinging at the players to get used to adjusting quickly for an unexpected ball movement on a divot. So its not that the Dundalk pitch is good or bad but that is it so much worse than some others at this time of the year especially or during a dry spell in June? It definitely should be more 'true' but it was never the same after the top layer had to be replaced and most of the work was done by GM's workers supervised by the installation company rather than the installation's own men. You could see the joins for example that werent obvious after the original installation. There is a subjective element to observations as the worst ive seen was the Setanta Cup Final v Sligo in Tallaght which was as a result of exceptional weather and remedial work was required but still the game was ruined by the pitch that day unless you are a Sligo fan and it was perfect for protecting a narrow lead. Apologies for not using the other thread but it is in response to observations posted here.

[Charlie Darwin]

That was my point though, an astro surface shouldn't have the problems of a badly-maintained grass pitch. I don't really care about Dundalk's pitch or think it's a major advantage, I just think it's crap pitch and it's no surprise players hated playing on it even before you were good.

[Nesta99]

I dont disagree really except that not all players hated it, many players home and away teams have been asked, its probably the most asked question tbh and some really detested it and some said they werent bothered by it. Im sure all if give a choice would pick grass mind. Also before we were good again:p Ive chosen to forget 1998-2013 bar a flash of 2002!

[thomas72]

St pats, bohs, sligo and bray management all said last season that the markets field pitch is the best pitch in the league.

This season cobh and roddy collins ( scouting Limerick before they played Waterford) have said the same.

[El-Pietro]

Not many games played on that pitch yet to be fair.

[Nesta99]

Newly laid with time to bed in, proper drainage too probably so i'd say it will stand up to plenty of games, variety of grass is most likely durable rather than the quick growing types rushed through between seasons. Like all pitches it needs the resources to be maintained to keep it top of all the heaps though.

[RathfarnhamHoop]

Are there any plans to do more at markets field. Lovely little ground but a permanent away stand closer to the pitch would be great.

[Guitd]

St pats, bohs, sligo and bray management all said last season that the markets field pitch is the best pitch in the league.

This season cobh and roddy collins ( scouting Limerick before they played Waterford) have said the same.
So is this not correct

http://www.fai.ie/domestic/news/eamonn-deacy-park-named-pitch-of-the-year-2015

[MattB11]

Harps definitely have the most entertaining surface, it's enthralling stuff trying to figure out how many times the ball will bobble between passes or which way it's gonna bounce......if at all.

[ForzaHoop]

Harps pitch is much better from last season, they got a lot of work done pre season and you could see the pitch looked
well after a dry spell at the Rovers game.

[brendy_éire]

So Brandywell work to start in June, with the removal of the dog track.
Come July, or maybe slightly later, we'll be playing our games in Maginn Park, Buncrana.

The seats from the Lone Moor side of the Brandy will be installed in Maginn and left there after we leave as a gift.
Matches will be on Friday nights, and transport will be arranged from Derry.

The reason we couldn't use Riverside was that we couldn't get Friday nights and changing match dates would have created issues.

So it'll be six, or maybe slightly less, games in Buncrana, with 300 seats, on their original dates.
Capacity for Maginn hasn't been decided yet, but won't be huge. I reckon the limit of 300 seats could be problematic too.

On the plus side, it'll be nice to get a few trips to Buncrana and maybe we could even garner a few new fans.

[outspoken]

So Brandywell work to start in June, with the removal of the dog track.
Come July, or maybe slightly later, we'll be playing our games in Maginn Park, Buncrana.

The seats from the Lone Moor side of the Brandy will be installed in Maginn and left there after we leave as a gift.
Matches will be on Friday nights, and transport will be arranged from Derry.

The reason we couldn't use Riverside was that we couldn't get Friday nights and changing match dates would have created issues.

So it'll be six, or maybe slightly less, games in Buncrana, with 300 seats, on their original dates.
Capacity for Maginn hasn't been decided yet, but won't be huge. I reckon the limit of 300 seats could be problematic too.

On the plus side, it'll be nice to get a few trips to Buncrana and maybe we could even garner a few new fans.

Is there not a regulation stating a PD club must have 2000 seats or something along that line? Obviously this is only a temp thing but it's amazing how the FAI can just bend rules as and when it suits them. Roddy Collins is dead right, the whole running of the league is a shambles. And that's not a jab at Derry, it's great to see work going ahead on the Brandywell.

[brendy_éire]

Is there not a regulation stating a PD club must have 2000 seats or something along that line?

Thought it was 500. Ferrycarrig has 600 odd, IIRC. Still more than 300.
Take your point though, not great that rules are being disregarded. We could have used Riverside if we changed to Saturdays/Sundays. I know that would mean having to reach agreement with clubs involved, but still, it's not like Maginn was our only option (Finn Park was also mentioned).

[Mr A]

I know that would mean having to reach agreement with clubs involved, but still, it's not like Maginn was our only option (Finn Park was also mentioned).

Finn Park not an option due to outrageous dugout alignment.

I think the seats rule is 1500. No issue whatever allowing clubs to be under on temporary basis while work ongoing like with Derry.

Although I can understand Longford being bewildered as they made such efforts to comply and then the likes of us are let slide for long periods, albeit that has been largely beyond our control.

[outspoken]

Begs the question, would it be better in terms of attracting new teams of the ground regulations were relaxed or almost totally removed. I'm sure they are one of the biggest barriers stopping perhaps the likes of Tralee Dynamos or maybe even an FC Carlow/IT Carlow team of some sort for example entering the league. Would it not be better to get these teams in and then try to build something when we have a solid base of teams to work off?

[Charlie Darwin]

Begs the question, would it be better in terms of attracting new teams of the ground regulations were relaxed or almost totally removed. I'm sure they are one of the biggest barriers stopping perhaps the likes of Tralee Dynamos or maybe even an FC Carlow/IT Carlow team of some sort for example entering the league. Would it not be better to get these teams in and then try to build something when we have a solid base of teams to work off?
Some sort of 'A' Championship perhaps. It'll never happen.

[Dodge]

Begs the question, would it be better in terms of attracting new teams of the ground regulations were relaxed or almost totally removed. I'm sure they are one of the biggest barriers stopping perhaps the likes of Tralee Dynamos or maybe even an FC Carlow/IT Carlow team of some sort for example entering the league. Would it not be better to get these teams in and then try to build something when we have a solid base of teams to work off?
Build what though? Salthill were let in without a single seat. It's not mandatory in the first division

[outspoken]

Build what though? Salthill were let in without a single seat. It's not mandatory in the first division

Salthill had zero success or support tho. What if a team like Carlow were to come in and the local community got behind them? With fundraising and new sponsorship etc it's something they could work towards.

[Dodge]

Salthill had zero success or support tho. What if a team like Carlow were to come in and the local community got behind them? With fundraising and new sponsorship etc it's something they could work towards.
Sure, but my point was that having a **** ground wasn't a barrier to their entry so it's not one to Carlow or anyone else

[outspoken]

Sure, but my point was that having a **** ground wasn't a barrier to their entry so it's not one to Carlow or anyone else

As I said the FAI seem to implement these rules when it suits them to, be better off just scrapping them if they aren't going to be taken seriously.

[disgruntled]

Don't scrap the rules.
They are the standard that needs to be achieved.
However there is a need for flexibility within the rules in that clubs should be allowed time to achieve the standard required by the rules.

Things crop up from time to time such as ground ownership, leases etc which might prevent a club from bringing their ground up to the required standard.
Things like the lease at Oriel Park or Derry needing to move to a ground which may not meet the standards so that their own ground can be improved.
Clubs who's grounds do not meet the standards should be allowed into the League provided that there is clear evidence that their grounds can be brought up to standard over time given the availability of finance.

The League of Ireland is a balancing act.
There are times when leniency needs to be shown & there are times to use the big stick.

The truth is if the rules were to be applied rigidly right now to the League of Ireland then a good proportion of the clubs wouldn't make it & I don't think any of us would want that ?

[outspoken]

Don't scrap the rules.
They are the standard that needs to be achieved.
However there is a need for flexibility within the rules in that clubs should be allowed time to achieve the standard required by the rules.

Things crop up from time to time such as ground ownership, leases etc which might prevent a club from bringing their ground up to the required standard.
Things like the lease at Oriel Park or Derry needing to move to a ground which may not meet the standards so that their own ground can be improved.
Clubs who's grounds do not meet the standards should be allowed into the League provided that there is clear evidence that their grounds can be brought up to standard over time given the availability of finance.

The League of Ireland is a balancing act.
There are times when leniency needs to be shown & there are times to use the big stick.

The truth is if the rules were to be applied rigidly right now to the League of Ireland then a good proportion of the clubs wouldn't make it & I don't think any of us would want that ?

Good post, agree with all of that.

[nigel-harps1954]

Does anyone really believe that facilities are what's keeping clubs from joining the League of Ireland?

[sadloserkid]

Weren't Carlow and Tralee both basically told not to bother proceeding with their interest in the aftermath of the A Championship dying? Proud moment for the league.

[nigel-harps1954]

Weren't Carlow and Tralee both basically told not to bother proceeding with their interest in the aftermath of the A Championship dying? Proud moment for the league.

FC Carlow collapsed as an entity following the A Championship. It was poorly supported from the start and was always doomed from what I'm told by people here.

[ForzaHoop]

PHILIP O’DOHERTY, the Derry City chairman, says the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division club will play out their final fixtures of this season in Buncrana.
O’Doherty was speaking to Eric White of BBC Radio Foyle, where he said the club had ruled out the possibility of a move to the Riverside Stadium in Drumahoe – the home of Irish League club, Institute FC.
With a busy youth club on a Friday at the Waterside venue and Derry City preferring not to play Saturday fixtures, then it will be Maginn Park in Buncrana (main picture), which is a ground owned by the clubs of the Inishowen League.
Derry City will vacate the Brandywell Stadium for redevelopment works, although the exact time-frame is not known as yet, possibly their last six home games of the current campaign.
The Glentoran Stand has already been demolished and a new spectator stand is to be erected in its place on the Lonemoor Road side of the ground.
http://www.donegalsporthub.com/derry-city-chairman-confirms-move-maginn-park-buncrana/

[brendy_éire]

Derry City will vacate the Brandywell Stadium for redevelopment works, although the exact time-frame is not known as yet, possibly their last six home games of the current campaign.

The last six games would be from August onwards. So the teams involved would be Pats, Cork, Galway, Shams, Bohs and Sligo.

Out of interest, would playing in Buncrana encourage or discourage away fans to attend? You'd be looking at an extra 10 minutes travel time from Sligo and Galway, 30 minutes for the others. Would the novelty of Buncrana help?

[nigel-harps1954]

The last six games would be from August onwards. So the teams involved would be Pats, Cork, Galway, Shams, Bohs and Sligo.

Out of interest, would playing in Buncrana encourage or discourage away fans to attend? You'd be looking at an extra 10 minutes travel time from Sligo and Galway, 30 minutes for the others. Would the novelty of Buncrana help?

It wouldn't add any huge travel onto those places though in fairness. You'd make Derry to Buncrana in 15 minutes handy enough for those coming from Dublin direction, only an extra 5-10 minutes for those form Sligo/Galway as you said.

I know for me, it's actually slightly disappointing Harps aren't one of the games in Maginn Park, would love to add in the novelty of a new ground to attend, and I'm sure that'll be the same for others potentially travelling.

[Nesta99]

I know Maginn Park is away from Ballybofey and that Stranorlar is started but couldnt the develpment of Maginn for Harps been something similar to the arrangement as Cork have with Turners Cross and been developed in conjunction with the local junior scene in Donegal?

[nigel-harps1954]

I know Maginn Park is away from Ballybofey and that Stranorlar is started but couldnt the develpment of Maginn for Harps been something similar to the arrangement as Cork have with Turners Cross and been developed in conjunction with the local junior scene in Donegal?

Are you suggesting Harps could have moved to Buncrana? There's the same distance between the two as there is Dundalk to Monaghan. Besides, it was suggested before that Harps move to Letterkenny and it was quickly shot down as an option.

And if Harps moved away from the Finn Valley area, it would be a bit strange to continue calling the club Finn Harps, being no longer anywhere near the Finn river.

[El-Pietro]

Looking forward to the trip to Buncrana, but I'd have been up either way.

[Yossarian]

We're playing Derry away on the 1st of July and I was hoping for a trip to a new venue but I suppose that's unlikely now.

[White Horse]

The good news is that the bus companies may now taking the booking.

[sadloserkid]

FC Carlow collapsed as an entity following the A Championship. It was poorly supported from the start and was always doomed from what I'm told by people here.

I was there a couple of times for games, I can confirm there was never a crowd (or maybe it was just Limerick are a lousy draw). :p I do seem to remember both Carlow and Tralee made enquiries about stepping up to the First Division when the A Championship ended only to pretty much be told not to bother, that only Cobh were going to be taken in.

[redarmyfaction]

Are you suggesting Harps could have moved to Buncrana? There's the same distance between the two as there is Dundalk to Monaghan. Besides, it was suggested before that Harps move to Letterkenny and it was quickly shot down as an option.

And if Harps moved away from the Finn Valley area, it would be a bit strange to continue calling the club Finn Harps, being no longer anywhere near the Finn river.

LK Harps?

[Dodge]

Weren't Carlow and Tralee both basically told not to bother proceeding with their interest in the aftermath of the A Championship dying? Proud moment for the league.
Tralee applied for league status but they had zero money behind them. When you see how other clubs get theirs, just think how awful the application must be for Tralee not to be approved. No point simply admitting clubs if they're going to fold in the first year

We'd all love to see new clubs in the league but there simply isn't the appetite for it at any junior/intermediate club

[gufcfan]

When you see how other clubs get theirs, just think how awful the application must be for Tralee not to be approved.

That's faulty logic imo. There are all sorts of reasons clubs can be denied. Some of them are legitimate, some are not.

[Dodge]

That's faulty logic imo. There are all sorts of reasons clubs can be denied. Some of them are legitimate, some are not.
The only clubs denied have been Cobh, Galway and Tralee. All down to money

[ThePrisoner]

Can anyone answer this question? Genuine question.

Does Gerry Matthews or Dundalk Football Club Limited (CRO 438422) hold the lease to OP?

Depending on the answer there may be a way to resolve this.

[White Horse]

Can anyone answer this question? Genuine question.

Does Gerry Matthews or Dundalk Football Club Limited (CRO 438422) hold the lease to OP?

Depending on the answer there may be a way to resolve this.


As I understand it, it is Dundalk Football Club Limited.

[Nesta99]

Listening carefully!!

[Ezeikial]

Is it all resolved yet?

New pitch going in as we speak?

[ThePrisoner]

As I understand it, it is Dundalk Football Club Limited.

Ok, IF that's the case, here goes.

The old company, ie Gerry & Carol Matthews' company is listed for strike off by the CRO. If the company is struck off, in due course, it no longer exists in the legal sense. One consequence of being struck off the register is that the assets of the company are vested in the Minister for Finance (I'm retired and not up to date, but that was the case under the old Companies Acts. Some young gun out there will be able to advise on the new Companies Act 2014). Now one of the assets of the company is the lease to OP, on the assumption that its in the name of the company. Another would be the YDC. But going on earlier posts the Club have no interest in this. We'll see!

The lease is of prime importance to the Club.

So if the company is struck off (ie GM & CM fail to file outstanding returns) Baldy Noonan or some other character can move to sequestrate the lease and ............ GM & CM can of course retrospectively restore the company to the register but why let it be struck off in the first place.

So if the company is struck off then all the Lilly Whites, family members, friends etc start a big political campaign to have the Minister do his job ie get the lease to OP.

With the possibility of a general election on the horizon or in a year or two I'm sure at least one politician in Louth/Dundalk would be more than happy to take up the cudgels on behalf of the 'hardworking, plain people of Dundalk who are extremely proud of their town and club' without the thought that there maybe a quota in the number of signatures, emails, social media comments that could be generated. The first rule of politics is get elected and the second rule is get re-elected. I'm sure the person who sorts out the lease to OP will be popular with the supporters, at least for a while.

The above may sound long winded but the reality is that the club needs to sort out a long term solution regarding OP, it's a relatively cheap route given the internet and social media and if you can start a political campaign and if there's the possibility of enough votes in it then the politicians will pile in and do your work for you. After all, votes is the only currency they value. Well apart from their, salaries, expenses, pensions............

[nigel-harps1954]

http://static.comicvine.com/uploads/original/11120/111208964/4724509-1279138501-xaadr.png

[Ezeikial]

Ok, IF that's the case, here goes.

The old company, ie Gerry & Carol Matthews' company is listed for strike off by the CRO. If the company is struck off, in due course, it no longer exists in the legal sense. One consequence of being struck off the register is that the assets of the company are vested in the Minister for Finance (I'm retired and not up to date, but that was the case under the old Companies Acts. Some young gun out there will be able to advise on the new Companies Act 2014). Now one of the assets of the company is the lease to OP, on the assumption that its in the name of the company. Another would be the YDC. But going on earlier posts the Club have no interest in this. We'll see!

The lease is of prime importance to the Club.

So if the company is struck off (ie GM & CM fail to file outstanding returns) Baldy Noonan or some other character can move to sequestrate the lease and ............ GM & CM can of course retrospectively restore the company to the register but why let it be struck off in the first place.


It appears that this is the main strategy being followed by the club - wait and hope that the GM company gets struck off / goes broke. This high stakes brinkmanship game is depending on this to happen before the pitch fails its annual test.

If it happens the other way around, there will be some fallout

[brendy_éire]

Derry City council staff have been told that they'll be moved out of the Brandywell at the end of the first week of July.

In that case, Dundalk at home on 1st July will be the last match at the Brandywell.
Longford on 15th July will be the first at Maginn Park.

Still no word on who the contractor is, mind.

[Martinho II]

Derry City council staff have been told that they'll be moved out of the Brandywell at the end of the first week of July.

In that case, Dundalk at home on 1st July will be the last match at the Brandywell.
Longford on 15th July will be the first at Maginn Park.

Still no word on who the contractor is, mind.

if I get goin to it really looking forward to it as I was in Cockhill Celtics ground for the FAI cup last year and I remember last year car I got a lift in got lost goin to it and ended up outside McGinn Park where there was a match and a huge crowd..

[Lim till i die]

Derry City council staff have been told that they'll be moved out of the Brandywell at the end of the first week of July.

In that case, Dundalk at home on 1st July will be the last match at the Brandywell.
Longford on 15th July will be the first at Maginn Park.

Still no word on who the contractor is, mind.

Bit far out but do you reckon ye will reverse the league cup semi or will it be on in buncrana?

And if it's on in buncrana would there be more chance of a daytime kick off?

Thinkin of making a long weekend of it

[brendy_éire]

Bit far out but do you reckon ye will reverse the league cup semi or will it be on in buncrana?

And if it's on in buncrana would there be more chance of a daytime kick off?

Nah, it'll be held in Buncrana just.

I'd imagine an afternoon kick off would get a better crowd. Presumably Limerick would request that too, so it's probably the most likely option. If I find out for definite, I'll let you know.

[Djm1901]

Latest on new stand in Tallaght:
http://www.intallaght.ie/oconnor-calls-for-progress-on-new-tallaght-stadium-stand/

Also noticed at the Ireland match in Turners Cross that they'd taken a few rows of seats out behind the goal of the St Anne's stand, any reason for this?