Old Irish football grounds

[Paddyfield]

There are a lot of football grounds that are no longer used for LOI football.

Are any of them still used for football?
Any memories?
Any old or current photos?

Belgium Park, Monaghan.
Kilkohan Park, Waterford.
Bishopstown, Cork.
Flower Lodge, Cork.
Lourdes Stadium, Drogheda.
Rathbane/Hogan Park, Limerick.
Market's Field, Limerick.
St Mel's Park, Athlone.
Abbeycarlton, Longford.
Ballgowan Park, Newcastle West.
Racecourse Ground(?), Thurles.
Harrold's Cross, Dublin.
Santry, Dublin.
Milltown, Dublin.
Baldonnel, Dublin.
Whitehall, Dublin.

Any others?


Galway United played for one year (1993ish) in Crowly Park (home of Galwegians RFC). There was no stand and no seating but there was a bar!. It was sold for €24M last year for development.

When Longford Town played at Abbeycarlton, it was a bizarre set up. There was a stand with about 40 seats which were taken in after every game. There was a massive slope on the pitch which made free kicks difficiult. :D
It is located in the town unlike it's impressive successor. Is it still used for football?

[Rossi]

The Lourdes Stadium in Drogheda is being re built for Athletics. Should be top class when the project is finished.

[pineapple stu]

You can add Belfield Park to that list. :(

[Réiteoir]

can safely say the only football going on at Milltown nowadays is the odd game of Pro Evo on the Playstation

[Battery Rover]

Don't have photos of St Mels but have some video footage

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7dde4GE-IQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiC9f8A4UeI

[rambler14]

Flower Lodge is now Pairc Ui Rinn and owned by the GAA.

[A face]

Bishopstown in Cork aswell :o

[steno]

Don't have photos of St Mels but have some video footage

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7dde4GE-IQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiC9f8A4UeI


Heres some:

http://www.ifgrounds.com/athlonetown.html

[Tis-smeee]

kilcohan is only used for dog racing

[gufcfan]

pics of belgium park?

before my time in EL

[De Town]

When Longford Town played at Abbeycarlton, it was a bizarre set up. There was a stand with about 40 seats which were taken in after every game. There was a massive slope on the pitch which made free kicks difficiult. :D
It is located in the town unlike it's impressive successor. Is it still used for football?

As I'm only still a teenager, I was never at a Town game at Abbeycartron. But yeah, it's still used for underage football every Saturday morning. I do a bit of refereeing down there from time to time.

[Anto McC]

Irishtown Stadium and Shelbourne Park.

[ramsfan]

presume whitehall is still used by home farm underage etc

[ramsfan]

baldonnell thats where st francis played wasnt it, it was a fantastic pitch and lovely facilitys but too far from anywhere to be a success, i think national team still use it for training, st francis were amalgamated with one of the dublin clubs but i think they have started to reappear in last couple of years on own,:)

[neville neville]

baldonnell thats where st francis played wasnt it, it was a fantastic pitch and lovely facilitys but too far from anywhere to be a success, i think national team still use it for training, st francis were amalgamated with one of the dublin clubs but i think they have started to reappear in last couple of years on own,:)

still use for lsl and schoolboy football by francis. played there last season and it was in great nick

[micls]

Bishopstown in Cork aswell :o

For the mean time anyway ;)

[ramsfan]

always was a top place, pitch was prob best in first div when they played a couple of years back. shame they never had big enough support to survive in loi

[ramsfan]

For the mean time anyway ;)

why whats the story there?

[micls]

why whats the story there?

No real story...just theories.

McCarthy developments own bishopstown at the moment. They wanted to build student accommodation, but the council refused to rezone the land.

Since Arkaga are apparently looking for a site then one as ready made as Bishopstown would be ideal. Rumour is they will but it

[ramsfan]

well since last time city used it, the stadium has become way more attractive proposition as it is reachable by car alot easier and there is room for parking , if available would be better as turners cross is a bitch to get parking at.
munster fa wouldnt be too happy though big stadium sitting idle for most of the year:)

[micls]

munster fa wouldnt be too happy though big stadium sitting idle for most of the year:)

Aww....I'm gutted :D

[osarusan]

Why did Cork leave Bishopstown the first time? All I can remember is that the pitch was waterlogged quite a lot, but that was hardly the reason.

[micls]

Why did Cork leave Bishopstown the first time? All I can remember is that the pitch was waterlogged quite a lot, but that was hardly the reason.

Before my time, but from what ive heard, it was just too far out at the time. No public transport, bad roads etc.

Much more accessible and built up now

Apparently the waterlogging problem has been fixed too

[Réiteoir]

you've missed the Iveagh Grounds off the list

[Partizan]

We entered the league in 1930 as Waterford Celtic and for 2 seasons we played at the Baile na nDeise rugby grounds where Waterpark RFC played at the time(before moving to Ballinakill). Its now a graveyard. Its on the outskirts of the city, on your left as your driving from Cork/N25 route.

We subsequently dropped out of the league for 2 years and for the 1934-35 season we took up residency in Kilcohan until May 1993.

So to sum it up:

1930-32 Baile na nDeise (Waterpark RFC grounds)
1934-93 Kilcohan Park (did not participate in league from 1941-45)
1993- Regional Sports Centre

[LeixlipRed]

you've missed the Iveagh Grounds off the list

Did St. James Gate always play there?

[soccerc]

baldonnell thats where st francis played wasnt it, it was a fantastic pitch and lovely facilitys but too far from anywhere to be a success, i think national team still use it for training, st francis were amalgamated with one of the dublin clubs but i think they have started to reappear in last couple of years on own,:)

Do you write for the News of the World?

They never went away.......................

[Ash]

baldonnell thats where st francis played wasnt it, it was a fantastic pitch and lovely facilitys but too far from anywhere to be a success, i think national team still use it for training, st francis were amalgamated with one of the dublin clubs but i think they have started to reappear in last couple of years on own,:)

Merged with St Pats. Pats had the St Francis crest on their sleeve for that
season and Pat Dolan I think was trying to brand them as "The Dublin Saints"
John Hyland Park was a pain in the nads to get to.

[The Man Himself]

kilcohan is only used for dog racing

had a meal out there last week at the races,
very nice set up to.

[drummerboy]

CIE Ranch play in Inchicore. It is a very old ground, still has terracing on one side. I believe it was used by Transport when they were LOI many many years ago.

St James Gate still play in The Iveagh Grounds
Drums play in Morton Stadium, soon to be joined by Sporting Fingal

[historynut]

How far from Richmond Park from Inchicore, ? or different parts of the city.

[historynut]

As per Galvin & Desmond 's Irish Football Handbooks 91/92 & 92/93 any of these grounds still used ?
Anglesea Road Dublin - Dublin Utd 1922/23, Shelbourne Utd 1922/23
Athletic Ground Dundalk -1926/27-1935/36
Ballinlough Cork-Fordsons 1924/25-1928/29
Beech Hill Dublin -Dublin Utd1921/22
Bellevue Lodge Dublin-Olympia 1921/22
Chalgrove Terrace Dublin-Brooklyn 1923/24-1924/25
Chapelizod Dublin-St Pats Ath 1954/55-1955/56
Claremount Road Dublin- YMCA 1921/22
Dolphin Park Dublin-Dolphin 1930/31-1931/32 & 1934/35-1936/37
Green Lanes Dublin-Brideville 1939/40
Ranelagh Grounds-Athlone 1926/27-1927/28
Rathmines Park Dublin-Rathmines Athletic 1922/23
Richmond Hill Dublin - Frankfort 1921/22
Rutland Avenue Dublin- Jacobs 1921/22-1931/32
St James Park Dublin - St James Gate 1921/22-1927/28
Sportsground Athlone - 1922/23-1925/26
Strand Road Dublin-Pioneers 1922/23
The Thatch Dublin-Midland Athletic 1922/23-1923/24, Pioneers 1923/24-1925/26
Woodbrook Bray- Unkowns 1924/25-1928/29
Pre-Independance believe Bohs & Tritonville played at Jones'sRoad where another stadium of sorts now stands.
Any of above still used ?

[Den Perry]

There are a lot of football grounds that are no longer used for LOI football.

Are any of them still used for football?
Any memories?
Any old or current photos?

Belgium Park, Monaghan.
Kilkohan Park, Waterford.
Bishopstown, Cork.
Flower Lodge, Cork.
Lourdes Stadium, Drogheda.
Rathbane/Hogan Park, Limerick.
Market's Field, Limerick.
St Mel's Park, Athlone.
Abbeycarlton, Longford.
Ballgowan Park, Newcastle West.
Racecourse Ground(?), Thurles.
Harrold's Cross, Dublin.
Santry, Dublin.
Milltown, Dublin.
Baldonnel, Dublin.
Whitehall, Dublin.

Any others?


Galway United played for one year (1993ish) in Crowly Park (home of Galwegians RFC). There was no stand and no seating but there was a bar!. It was sold for €24M last year for development.

When Longford Town played at Abbeycarlton, it was a bizarre set up. There was a stand with about 40 seats which were taken in after every game. There was a massive slope on the pitch which made free kicks difficiult. :D
It is located in the town unlike it's impressive successor. Is it still used for football?

Thurles Town played at the Greyhound Stadium...now Thurles town junior side play there

[Larry 'da' Wyse]

Thurles Town played at the Greyhound Stadium...now Thurles town junior side play there


Aye - greyhound stadium indeed. My brother still has his season ticket from 1977. At one stage teams had to tog out in the nearest hotel 'The park avenue'. My favourite memory is being ball boy and trying to stop a wide ball and managed to sprain my fingers followed by some concern about my condition from Pat Dunne (ex-Man utd no less), the TT goalie.
High point was beating Bohs in a LC game at home. Think TT managed to beat them in the league the same year but open to correction.
Top players included Mick Flavin, Alan Lyons and half of Waterford, Birdie Ryan and John Seymour.

[ramsfan]

are you jimmy magee?:D:D

[Den Perry]

Aye - greyhound stadium indeed. My brother still has his season ticket from 1977. At one stage teams had to tog out in the nearest hotel 'The park avenue'. My favourite memory is being ball boy and trying to stop a wide ball and managed to sprain my fingers followed by some concern about my condition from Pat Dunne (ex-Man utd no less), the TT goalie.
High point was beating Bohs in a LC game at home. Think TT managed to beat them in the league the same year but open to correction.
Top players included Mick Flavin, Alan Lyons and half of Waterford, Birdie Ryan and John Seymour.

Yes, I rem those days...though I was just a nipper....rem all the tickets from the dogs the night before woukd be all over the ground. Also the excitement when the cameras for RTE's "Lets go " programme were there for the Sligo rovers match!

Also rem Neville Steadman being pipped for Golden Boot by Alan Campell or Liam Buckley

[paudie]

Before my time, but from what ive heard, it was just too far out at the time. No public transport, bad roads etc.

Much more accessible and built up now

Apparently the waterlogging problem has been fixed too

Basically involved the club going bust while Bishopstown was owned by a director who had sold some of it for residential sites.

The FAI gave the club a couple of weeks to get new owners and we ended up back at Turners Cross with the FAI owning what was left of Bishopstown.

[Paddyfield]

Also rem Neville Steadman being pipped for Golden Boot by Alan Campell or Liam Buckley

Ahhhhhhh yes, Neville Steedman. A Shamrock Rovers legend. A Galway United non-legend. He was the first player Galway United 'bought' for the massive fee of IR£1,000 (circa 1985) and there was even one of those photos of a player-signing-contract in a local newspaper. Many years later, a Hoops fan told me that Steedman bought a townhouse on the site of the old Glemalure Park in Miltown. Is this true?

[pineapple stu]

Anglesea Road Dublin - Dublin Utd 1922/23, Shelbourne Utd 1922/23
That anything to do with the RDS, I wonder?

[BleusAvantTout]

I have an interest in football grounds. Any chance of someone posting a few photos?

[drummerboy]

As per Galvin & Desmond 's Irish Football Handbooks 91/92 & 92/93 any of these grounds still used ?
Anglesea Road Dublin - Dublin Utd 1922/23, Shelbourne Utd 1922/23
Athletic Ground Dundalk -1926/27-1935/36
Ballinlough Cork-Fordsons 1924/25-1928/29
Beech Hill Dublin -Dublin Utd1921/22
Bellevue Lodge Dublin-Olympia 1921/22
Chalgrove Terrace Dublin-Brooklyn 1923/24-1924/25
Chapelizod Dublin-St Pats Ath 1954/55-1955/56
Claremount Road Dublin- YMCA 1921/22
Dolphin Park Dublin-Dolphin 1930/31-1931/32 & 1934/35-1936/37
Green Lanes Dublin-Brideville 1939/40
Ranelagh Grounds-Athlone 1926/27-1927/28
Rathmines Park Dublin-Rathmines Athletic 1922/23
Richmond Hill Dublin - Frankfort 1921/22
Rutland Avenue Dublin- Jacobs 1921/22-1931/32
St James Park Dublin - St James Gate 1921/22-1927/28
Sportsground Athlone - 1922/23-1925/26
Strand Road Dublin-Pioneers 1922/23
The Thatch Dublin-Midland Athletic 1922/23-1923/24, Pioneers 1923/24-1925/26
Woodbrook Bray- Unkowns 1924/25-1928/29
Pre-Independance believe Bohs & Tritonville played at Jones'sRoad where another stadium of sorts now stands.
Any of above still used ?

Mount Merrion YMCA, Senior Div LSL now play in Claremount Road, Sandymount

[seand]

I think the old Athletics Groud (where Dundalk played pre-Oriel) became the old greyhound track (before it moved to the horse racing track!). It was on the Ramparts Road anyway.

[Cabs88]

When Longford Town played at Abbeycarlton, it was a bizarre set up. There was a stand with about 40 seats which were taken in after every game. There was a massive slope on the pitch which made free kicks difficiult. :D
It is located in the town unlike it's impressive successor. Is it still used for football?


Many an underage game, after a poor first half performance, could be rectified playin downhill in the second half! :)

[exiled_gufc_fan]

Add the Sportsground in Galway (still used by Connacht Rugby though).

[gufct]

Don forget Ballindereen & Pairc Chathanaigh in Carroroe for the cup winners cup games.

[drinkfeckarse]

Galway United played for one year (1993ish) in Crowly Park (home of Galwegians RFC).

I think it was a season and a half if I can be pedantic. I made my debut there in 93 and played there again the following season but also played in Terryland towards the end of that season.

[Comic Book Guy]

You forgot to add the Mardyke in Cork, I think a number of teams played there up to the late 50's, I think UCC play the odd MSL game there now but it is now the home of their AIL team.
Also the (now demolished) old greyhound stadium across the road from the Mardyke used to be used by one of the Cork sides in the 1930's.

[historynut]

Cork Bohemians 1932/33-1933/34 at Greyhound Park Cork

[Pablo]

The Mardyke in Cork. Also Hosted a full International. As did Flower Lodge

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mardyke

[Schumi]

Anglesea Road Dublin - Dublin Utd 1922/23, Shelbourne Utd 1922/23
That anything to do with the RDS, I wonder?Old Belvedere's rugby ground is on Anglesea Road. That's probably more likely, the RDS would just be referred to as RDS rather than Anglesea Road I'd say.