Athlone's new Stadium

I went to their first game in the new stadium as a neutral and have to say that the whole stadium is wonderful. Earlier in the day I got a good look around and when all the work is completely finished it will be amazing.

I was up in the press box when Athlone scored their first goal and the sound (and indeed vibrations - my toes still tingle at the feeling I got at the vibration of the crowd below cheering) was phenomenal.

Anyway, best of luck to Athlone & all the teams who will play there, was delighted they won on their first game there but hope that is the last win that I get to witness there.

Premier teams, pray you get Athlone away in the cup so that you can see it for yourselves!

Thanks to the Cootes again for their wonderful hospitality too.

Was there a camera at it?


KOH

Not sure if the Club have a recording but one of our Supporters Club
members, Battery Rover here, will be uploading footage of the game
this week so he'll give ye a shout when its done.

I believe the main stand is 2000 capacity? Does this run the full length of the pitch?

Is the remainder of the ground gravel for now?

The main stand holds just over 2000. Cant remember the exact figure.

Gravel standing area behind 1 goal and the far wing at the moment.

It doesnt run the full lenght of the pitch due to the floodlights and a
side entrance to the stand.

So is it a stadium or a stand?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Peadar

So is it a stadium or a stand?

---

The stand is phase 1 of the stadium

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Peadar

So is it a stadium or a stand?

---

Think Bishopstown.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by OneRedArmy

Think Bishopstown.

---

So you think Athlone will be stuck on Phase 1 forever then?

I believe they hope to start phase two really quickly.

Although (no offence to Athlone) they probably don't need another 2000 seats right now - no club averaged over 2000 at games last season except Derry sure

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by OneRedArmy

Think Bishopstown.

---

Far from it. Believe me this is by far the best stand in the LOI. Nothing and i mean nothing (even the new one in Turners X) comes close. Great design and well done to Athlone for showing the proper way on how its done.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gael353

Far from it. Believe me this is by far the best stand in the LOI. Nothing and i mean nothing (even the new one in Turners X) comes close. Great design and well done to Athlone for showing the proper way on how its done.

---

Forgive my flippant remark which was an attempt to remind Peader, yet again, that Cork weren't always as fortunate as they are now to have had a ground built for them by a benevolent landlord.

Well done Athlone.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gael353

Far from it. Believe me this is by far the best stand in the LOI. Nothing and i mean nothing (even the new one in Turners X) comes close. Great design and well done to Athlone for showing the proper way on how its done.

---

I bet the Jodi's better!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BohsFans

I bet the Jodi's better!

---

Bad access and poles in the way let it down for starters!!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BohsFans

I bet the Jodi's better!

---

Nope :ball:

This is one ground for sure that will be finished as we have a stadium committee with some of the finest businessmen that the midlands have and the word failure doesnt exist in their world.

Phase 2 is rumoured to be close to launch from rumours going round.

Will have video of the game hopefully tomorrow or Wednesday taken from the press box.

Any of the Dundalk lads can ask John Gill what he thinks of the ground seeing as he visited us for the second time to have a look.

If you go to :ball:www.athlonetowntv.com:ball: there is some footage of the opening ceremony in the video section.

i see on the video links page that there was a 'blessing of the stadium'. Is this a common thing in football does anyone know?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by eekers

i see on the video links page that there was a 'blessing of the stadium'. Is this a common thing in football does anyone know?

---

In Ireland it would be very common for any new ground or stand or indeed any public building at all to be blessed by the local clergy when it is being opened.

In these more PC days both the Catholic and Church of Ireland clergy would usually do the honours.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by passerrby

if you let the priests in it will not just be the league thats ****ed

---

Hey, no need for the snide comments about WYFC, thank you very much. :mad:


:p

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by paudie

In Ireland it would be very common for any new ground or stand or indeed any public building at all to be blessed by the local clergy when it is being opened.

In these more PC days both the Catholic and Church of Ireland clergy would usually do the honours.

---

The funniest part, imho, was when they invited priests from the 2 town
Parish, St. Marys and St Peters along with a rep of the Church of Ireland
to bless the ground.

The Church of Ireland minister couldn't make it so the got a Friar from the
local (catholic) Friary to give it the protestants blessing :D