The great stadium debate

I will be a bit sad to be leaving Naveeney street, But as anyone who has been there will know, the current Finn Park it not in great shape. So I really looking forward to getting into the New Finn Park when its finally completed.

With most of the paperwork(a long drawn out process it was) out of the way the actual construction(building work) is due to begin in mid/late spring 2010. There has been some work done on the site but mainly just clearing and draining the area. AFAIK we should be able to play in it 18 months after construction comences.

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Originally Posted by sligofan4ever

Abysmal showing for a Cup Final IMO.

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I think you're getting the team and the ground mixed up there Sligofan:)

I would say that Tallaght is way too exposed. Even on a calm day everywhere else, the wind out there is not conducive to good football usually. Also, the wind sweeps away any singing which lessens the atmosphere. Not a lot can be done about that now I suppose. Don't get me wrong, it's a great facility and if something similar was developed at the showgrounds I would be more than happy but it has its problems as a footballing venue imo.

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Originally Posted by BYCTWD

So to sum up, its better to play in a ground that the walls collapse and only cover is a tent as opposed to a state of the art all seated ground with bars, food outlets, family areas, a top club shop etc.

Thanks for sharing.

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Thanks for the sarcasm, much appreciated.

If you look very closely at my OP, I actually say that the present stadiums aren't great. Many of them need a lot of work doing on them. Some of them do need to be knocked down and rebuilt. However, I don't think that this is some sort of panacea. Personally, I think many clubs would be better off staying put and redeveloping their own grounds instead of moving out to the outskirts of the city, alienating their current support. Look at the two Edinburgh clubs. They have been playing in the same locations for the best part of a century. There's never any commotion for Hibs to move to a new ground out in Sighthill or Muirhouse. They've simple expanded the ground at Easter Road and developed it into a cracking stadium.

I think that sort of thing is the way forwards for League of Ireland clubs, as opposed to simply relocating and hoping that somehow makes everything work out okay.

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Originally Posted by stovelid

I'm agreeing with you. I'm saying only the committed supporter will put up with bad facilities, but if you improve the facilities you get the families in whose kids may well become the committed supporters of the future.

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Agreed.

Nice stadiums don't make atmosphere, crowds do. Nice stadiums help to make football an enjoyable experience for the first-time fan, and hopefully they'll come again. (That said, eventually, it will be the football that keeps them coming back, not the clean toilets or nice coffee).

If the first-time fan has to stand in the pi$$ing rain with puddles all round them, they're not likely to be bitten by the LOI bug. It takes time to get so passionate about your team you'll put up with anything to watch them.

As somebody who goes to Jackman every second weekend for the season, trust me. Apart from the delicious hamburgers......

I wouldn't trade the Showgrounds for any stadium in the world :)

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Originally Posted by Longfordian

I heard facilities were so bad there's absolutely no chance of Tallaght Stadium hosting the 2010 final ;) .

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What are you talking about? Next years final's in Lansdowne.

Whoosh.

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Originally Posted by Riddickcule

What are you talking about? Next years final's in Lansdowne.

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Yep, supposed to be there alright, and it'll always be Lansdowne Road for most people I'd say and not this Aviva crap!!;)

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Originally Posted by Mayo Red

Yep, supposed to be there alright, and it'll always be Lansdowne Road for most people I'd say and not this Aviva crap!!;)

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It'll always be for people who remember it frm the Lansdowne days. I still call the event centre by the East Link the Point, as do all my friends. My sister, who is three years younger than me, and all her friends, never call it anything except the O2.

It depends if Aviva keep up the sponsorship agreement. If the name changes with each new sponsorship deal, people will probably all revert to Lansdowne for convenience. If Aviva stay as title sponsors for a decade or two, the name will doubtless catch on

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Originally Posted by peadar1987

It'll always be for people who remember it frm the Lansdowne days. I still call the event centre by the East Link the Point, as do all my friends. My sister, who is three years younger than me, and all her friends, never call it anything except the O2.

It depends if Aviva keep up the sponsorship agreement. If the name changes with each new sponsorship deal, people will probably all revert to Lansdowne for convenience. If Aviva stay as title sponsors for a decade or two, the name will doubtless catch on

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I'd be the same, I'd always call it The Point aswell. As you say, if they stay as title sponsors for the forseeable future, The Aviva will probably catch on but the way insurance companies change names who knows what they'll end up calling it?? Could be worse though, it could end up like St James' Park, i.e. the mouthful that is the Sportsdirect.com @ St James' Park Stadium!!:eek:

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Originally Posted by galwayjames

Hopefully the cup final will be moved back to Lansdowne Road.

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is the cup final not returnin to the aviva stadium next season?:confused:

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Originally Posted by Martinho II

is the cup final not returnin to the aviva stadium next season?:confused:

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I'd rather Lansdowne Road

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Originally Posted by galwayjames

I'd rather Lansdowne Road

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so do I! but it really depends.. I prefer to call our ground Flancare Park but up to ten years ago I would have said Strokestown rd which isnt quite the same..

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Originally Posted by Martinho II

is the cup final not returnin to the aviva stadium next season?:confused:

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It is as well as all future finals.

For all the ridiculous money wasted on wages at Pats to achieve nothing over the last few years you could've really tidied up Richmond Park.

New floodlights that don't massively obstruct the view and a re-paved, re-roofed shed would've been a much better use of the 1m euro Kelleher has pumped in each year.

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Originally Posted by fionnsci

New floodlights that don't massively obstruct the view and a re-paved, re-roofed shed would've been a much better use of the 1m euro Kelleher has pumped in each year.

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Is the shed not some sort of listed building or something of that sort?

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Originally Posted by galwayjames

Is the shed not some sort of listed building or something of that sort?

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Listed for demolition is it??;)

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Originally Posted by Mayo Red

Listed for demolition is it??;)

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Not much to demolish :D

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Originally Posted by galwayjames

Not much to demolish :D

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True, wouldn't take long alright!!!

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Originally Posted by fionnsci

It is as well as all future finals.

For all the ridiculous money wasted on wages at Pats to achieve nothing over the last few years you could've really tidied up Richmond Park.

New floodlights that don't massively obstruct the view and a re-paved, re-roofed shed would've been a much better use of the 1m euro Kelleher has pumped in each year.

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This is what i've been banging on about, it's not just happening at Pats but at numerous clubs.
Clubs have to priortise their expenditure for the future, ie. Stadiums and Training grounds.

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Originally Posted by sligofan4ever

I hate to complain about it, but for a Cup Final I expected a bit better in Tallaght Stadium. The food was overpriced and the toilet facilities for the people in the North Stand was nothing short of being shocking, 4 portable jacks for 1000+ people, with sinks that dont work and flush handle that looks like the brake of a car (which didnt work either). Sat in horrible conditions, hope I never have to sit their again with the wind and rain coming right at me for 90 mins+ an hour and half before k/o and half time. Abysmal showing for a Cup Final IMO. Hats off to those who went to the trouble of putting in those seats, but I tought the facilites provided made me, and nearly everyone their feel we were treated like sh!t in terms of facilites. Tallaght will need to improve big time for the 2010 Cup Final.

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Ye had 4? Wow there was only 3 in my end!!!! And the food was def a rip off buts Ireland for you
But wouldn't it have been all different if it was a nice day? Cant blame the club/fai for terrible winter like weather conditions