The Maze

[pól-dcfc]

I know many Northern Ireland fans who come from a nationalist background but continue to support Northern Ireland.

Northern Catholics only changed their team when ROI appointed a British manager, Jack Charlton. Oh the irony......................!!! :D


Bullsh1t.

[Not Brazil]

No, the reason Catholic fans won't support N Ireland is because we don't see it as at all representative of us. And it never will be. The majority of Catholics are Nationalists, and Nationalists don't believe that there should be a state called Norther Ireland. We identify with the Republic, which is turning out to be a All-Ireland team anyway.

If you wish to give witness to your religious beliefs, would Church/Chapel not be a better place to do that than a football ground?:confused:

What has your particular religious beliefs got to do with the discussion anyway?:confused:

Now, allow me to be Devils Advocate, if Nationalists don't believe there should be a state called Northern Ireland, why should those who do support the Northern Ireland team pander in any way to those who seek the destruction of our state and football team?

I do, however, think your comments are revealingly honest.

This notion that passionate supporters of the Republic Of Ireland team, born and bred in Northern Ireland, are somehow going to be convinced to change allegiance is bull****.

Either that, or they're not very passionate in their support for the Republic Of Ireland side - and, it's all pretentious.;)

[Not Brazil]

Back on topic:

These Maze proposals...

Going, going.......:cool:

[GavinZac]

Only in Northern Ireland would you have people celebrating one less decent stadium.

[backstothewall]

The best site in the city as far as i can tell is Musgrave Park. It is owned by the city council at an existing off slip on the M1, there is ample parking nearby at the kings hall and the shops on the boucher road, and Balmoral station is a matter of yards away. The park is used for very little at the minute and enjoys easy access to West, South and East Belfast, as well as Lisburn and the south via the M1, and the north via the M2.

A 25,000 seater stadium there, perhaps similer to Pride Park in Derby (which was built for only £28m stg in 18months), would be ideal for Belfast if it is to be for Rugby & Soccer alone.

If GAA is to be involved i see no reason why temporary removable seats can't be incorporated into the design which could be removed for GAA/Athletics. Naturally this would reduce the capacity rather than increase it for the GAA, but given the access and parking problems at Casement Park GAA fans would be no worse off. Failing that there would be plenty of cash left over compared to the maze proposals to tunnel under the M1 and allow the parking for the new stadium to be used to give people access to a redeveloped Casement Park only yards away on the other side of the motorway via Owenvaragh Park or Mooreland Drive

[SolitudeRed]

The Maze is out but the newest proposal is the Danny Blanchflower stadium a 20,000 seater to be built in East Belfast for Rugby and Soccer...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/northern_ireland/7963513.stm

Ulster Rugby have said that they aren't interested and the GAA are going to press ahead with a major upgrade of Casement park, this whole thing just seems to be going round in circles!

[awec]

Fair play to the GAA for getting their plans out so quick.

One has to wonder why they needed a new stadium when they seem happy enough to splash money on upgrading Casement.

[Buller]

Fair play to the GAA for getting their plans out so quick.

One has to wonder why they needed a new stadium when they seem happy enough to splash money on upgrading Casement.

Dont let that crowd anywhere near any new stadium. The size of pitch for gaah requirements aren't worth it. they make the pitch much further away for Football and Rugby matches - besides, theyre absolutely loaded themselves...

[awec]

Dont let that crowd anywhere near any new stadium. The size of pitch for gaah requirements aren't worth it. they make the pitch much further away for Football and Rugby matches - besides, theyre absolutely loaded themselves...
That's been my argument all along. It's not feasible to make a stadium that is perfect for football and perfect for GAA. Their pitch is a LOT bigger and the fact our fans are so close to the pitch etc is one reason why NI play so well at home. Removing that factor would have implications.

I'm sure you are all well aware of that however, what with you having to play at Croke Park.

Not to mention the GAA will need a stadium much bigger than what we need.

The problem is, even if we express genuine concerns about excluding the GAA (and if I had my way I'd exclude rugby as well) we get labelled as bigots. We can't win. We either accept a stadium that doesn't best suit or needs and wants, or we get labelled as bigots.

[Mr_Parker]

Their pitch is a LOT bigger and the fact our fans are so close to the pitch etc is one reason why NI play so well at home. Removing that factor would have implications.


A couple of points that always have always shown that to be a nonsense arguement. The current distance from the front of the South Stand of Windsor would be at least the same in a multi purpose stadium. The West Stand is also set back from the pitch too.

If you were to take your measurements of Windsor from the front of the Railway Stand and utilise the terracing in front of it to the West Stand, you could actually fit in a GAA pitch.

[awec]

A couple of points that always have always shown that to be a nonsense arguement. The current distance from the front of the South Stand of Windsor would be at least the same in a multi purpose stadium. The West Stand is also set back from the pitch too.

If you were to take your measurements of Windsor from the front of the Railway Stand and utilise the terracing in front of it to the West Stand, you could actually fit in a GAA pitch.
The South stand is too far away. Without a doubt.

A GAA pitch is too big, but can't say I'm surprised that you are trying to turn this round into something else.

[Gather round]

A couple of points that always have always shown that to be a nonsense arguement. The current distance from the front of the South Stand of Windsor would be at least the same in a multi purpose stadium. The West Stand is also set back from the pitch too.

If you were to take your measurements of Windsor from the front of the Railway Stand and utilise the terracing in front of it to the West Stand, you could actually fit in a GAA pitch

You have a point- the existing seats in Windsor's South and (disused) East/ railway stands are a long way from the touch and goal lines. Even if the terracing in the South was reopened or converted to seats, the grass/hardstanding area is still about 84m across- GAA requires between 80m and 90m I think.

On the other hand- a showpiece GAA stadium would be bigger, so clearly the gaps from touchline and goalline would be greater, as at Croke.

Personally, I don't mind being well behind the action (I watch a lot of cricket), I'm in favour of shared stadia for cost reasons and I'd prefer to stay at a revamped Windsor.

[Mr_Parker]

The South stand is too far away. Without a doubt.

A GAA pitch is too big, but can't say I'm surprised that you are trying to turn this round into something else.
:confused: All I have done is point out the folly in your argument. I haven't brought anything else into the debate. What "something else" are you saying I am turning it to?

[Steve Bruce]

Just because the South Stand is a million miles away, doesn’t make a folly of his argument to say that the GAA pitch is far to big.

I sit in the South Stand every other week and everyone around us agrees the pitch is to far away from the action and we miss small details through out the game.

Unlike the North Stand where it is right over the pitch and you have a perfect view. Have that right around the pitch and it is perfect for football. You wouldn’t get this with a GAA pitch playing football on it.

[Mr_Parker]

Just because the South Stand is a million miles away, doesn’t make a folly of his argument to say that the GAA pitch is far to big.

I sit in the South Stand every other week and everyone around us agrees the pitch is to far away from the action and we miss small details through out the game.

Unlike the North Stand where it is right over the pitch and you have a perfect view. Have that right around the pitch and it is perfect for football. You wouldn’t get this with a GAA pitch playing football on it.

I suggest you read back on the post made, the assertion contained in it and my response.