A home for Limerick FC

**4tothefloor** · 21/01/2004, 2:51 PM

These are a few of the rumours that i've heard regarding where Limerick FC might be playing in the future
- Redevelopment of the Pike
- Thomond Park (premier division status only)
- Redevelopment of the Markets Field
- Return to Rathbane
- The University Arena

If the redevelopment of the Pike is the best option, and seeing that it is Pike Rovers ground, would Pike Rovers be contributing to the redevelopment financially? Also, would they still retain 100% profits from the club bar on Limerick FC match days?

The only thing i have against Pikes ground is that its not very accessable for supporters, especially when you are trying to attract new ones to the club. Fo example, its very much out of the way and the bus service to that area is non-existant. Basically you need a car to get there, which isn't ideal.

Another thing - why is a return to Rathbane so out of the question?? With the new motorway out that way, its not in such a bad location as it used to be. Plus it has floodlights.

**sadloserkid** · 21/01/2004, 2:57 PM

As things stand we'll be in Pike again next season.

**joeSoap** · 21/01/2004, 3:01 PM

The only options open to us are those which involve us purchasing the land for own ground. That rules out Pike, Thomond Park, the Markets Field or UL. Getting to the bottom of the Hogan Park/ Fr Joe/ Mikey Kelly fiasco, sorting it out and buying the pitch outright is probably the only viable option for us. The FAI have stipulated time and time again that they will not give us one red cent to plough into someone elses ground or into something we do not own outright.
Anyone got the number of Limerick prison???

**4tothefloor** · 21/01/2004, 3:23 PM

LMFAO!

**sadloserkid** · 21/01/2004, 3:28 PM

There's a great debate waiting to be started here, beginning with 4tothefloor's excellent post. So I've split the thread to maximise this! Debate freely my children!

**gael353** · 21/01/2004, 11:19 PM

Well the Pike in the long term si out due to the FAI not agreeing with Limerick/pike at teh start of the season with regards its suitability, transport links etc.
Thomond park would be great but with all the matches they have on there, it might not be available. Plassy bowl in its present state is out as it cannot be cordened off (charging ppl) as its a public facility. Markets field again great if it had four million put into it and the dogs out. Rathbane??? Who knows?

**AZOffaly** · 22/01/2004, 1:11 PM

Hi lads,

long time no appear here. Anyhow, what's the story with playing at the 'bowl' out in UL. It's a nice pitch and if we are coming to some link up with UL, then mayeb it makes sense. The only bad thing is that we wouldn't be as close as before to the action.

**�anna** · 23/01/2004, 1:45 PM

the pitch out in UL isn't that brilliant, and as was mentioned you couldn't cordon it off so you wouldn't make decent money on the gate

**4tothefloor** · 23/01/2004, 2:34 PM

As far as i can see, a return to Hogan park is the best option as the club can own that ground plus alot of things are already in place there. Who actually owns it at the moment, and who plays there?

**sadloserkid** · 23/01/2004, 4:50 PM

Originally posted by 4tothefloor
who plays there?

Hill Celtic play there and the committee told us that some dude called Hogan from the states owns it.

**LFC10** · 23/01/2004, 5:29 PM

Peter Hogan- a friend of father Joe owns it! I think that Rathbane is the most viable long term option for Limerick. I mean Markets Field is just pie in the sky, and I think link-ups with UL etc are as well, partly because they have enough games there themselves. As far as I can remember the rumours at the time as to why we left were all FAI related so why can't we just go back. At least we wouldn't have to work our games around any other teams. Its not a bad location now that its just off the ring road. And the real thing that clinches it in my mind is that it doesn't really matter where we play, we will not get better crowds. The only way to get better crowds is to perform better in the league. Then and only then will people come to our games. The place doesn't look great at the moment but if we were guaranteed to be playing there long term I think a small amount of investment would go a long way. If you could rebuild the bar it would be a fine ground, plus a small amount of landscaping!!

**gael353** · 23/01/2004, 6:02 PM

with you for most of your post LFC10. If we had a new entrance on the link road side, the ground is on a par with Terryland straight away. We could start bilding a new stand and dressing rooms straight away on the Carew park side and move the floodlights to the corners. Even if we got the markets field, in 5/10 years down the line, this would still be a valuable asset in footballing terms. Fllodlit pitch, taining pitch, all weather training area, bar and dressing rooms, small stand, 400 seats. Thats whats there at the moment, and it is attainable and is clearly the best option for us.

**LFC Blue** · 24/01/2004, 2:32 PM

Rathbane had a unique atmosphere too especially behind the goals. I'll never forget the matches against dundalk in the FAI Cup a few years back under Dave Connell there. Twas unreal there was even some guy in the stand behind the goals throwing confetti in the air as the teams came out! As Gael says put an entrance on the Ring Road side and it woul be easily accessible and much more appetising looking for fans as opposed to the current entrance with all the burnt out tree stumps and broken street lights! I SUPPORT A MOVE TO RATHBANE 100%. Peter Hogan will sell it to us for a tenner