Limerick Back to Markets Field

**Lim till i die** · 22/06/2010, 2:00 PM

Possibly Important enough for main forum:

Originally Posted by Limerick Leader

LIMERICK FC chairman Pat O'Sullivan will this week wrap up a deal for the purchase of the Markets Field from Bord na gCon for a figure thought to be close to €3m.

The Ballylanders native, who got involved with Limerick FC in June of last year, has been attempting for some time to put a deal together to return the club to the spiritual home of Limerick soccer, and following a recent meeting with Minister of Sport Mary Hanafin, it is understood that a deal has been agreed in principle between the parties.

A source close to the discussions between Mr O'Sullivan and the greyhound board has said that "negotiations are at an advanced stage, and both parties hope to reach an agreement this week".

www.limerickleader.ie understands that an offer in the region of €2m-3m will be agreed this week.

It is 26 years since senior soccer moved away from the Markets Field, and Limerick FC have made their return to the site a priority over the last 12 months.

Mr O'Sullivan revealed earlier this year that Bord na gCon and the FAI had "funded the preparation of a set of plans" for the site, which is located off Mulgrave Street in Garryowen. Gilroy McMahon, the firm of architects behind the redevelopment of Croke Park, were commissioned to produce plans for the 5.3 acre site.

It is thought that there is also potential for the site to become something of a community centre, as Mr O'Sullivan alluded to in a recent interview with the Limerick Leader.

"This is a really top class 8,000 seater stadium which could then incorporate the VEC and there are other sports bodies that are interested in it," he said, adding: "That corner of the city needs something so we are working along those lines".

Mayor of Limerick Kevin Kiely, who met Minister Hanafin with Mr O'Sullivan, confirmed that an offer had been made but no contracts signed as of yet, but said he wished to "commend" Mr O'Sullivan for his interest in Limerick soccer.

"Pat O'Sullivan has done more in 12 months than anyone has done in the last 100 years and I'd like to commend him for that," said Mayor Kiely.

The current owners of the Markets Field, Bord na gCon, are set for a move to a new €18 million premises on the Dock Road in September.

**Lamper.sffc** · 22/06/2010, 2:13 PM

Hope it works out. All the best

**Mr A** · 22/06/2010, 2:20 PM

What's the plan for funding the development? Has Sullivan deep enough pockets to make it happen or are there sports grants promised?

**Darkglasses** · 22/06/2010, 2:32 PM

That's brilliant news. Is there any pictures of the ground online? Hope they never go back to Jackman.

**bluewhitearmy** · 22/06/2010, 2:37 PM

The best picture i can find is the one on the link.

**redobit** · 22/06/2010, 3:01 PM

Google Earth gives you an idea of what the ground is like. Not far from Jackman really.

**Lim till i die** · 22/06/2010, 3:15 PM

Originally Posted by Mr A

What's the plan for funding the development? Has Sullivan deep enough pockets to make it happen or are there sports grants promised?

The VEC is backing onto it so I'm sure they'll want input.

The hands of the extremely hard working folk in Re-Generation might be forced somewhat aswell.

As it is slap a couple of temporary stands up and it's Premier standard. There's a LOT of room there.

Originally Posted by Darkglasses

Is there any pictures of the ground online?

As it stands it has a big massive covered terrace and two bars, making it already 4000% better than Jackman Park.

There it is, very Eastern Europe.

I'd say the covered bit would fit two to two and a half thousand with maybe another thousand standing at that side uncovered

**fionnsci** · 22/06/2010, 5:14 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sn5LATzc6PE

There's some footage of the ground as it is at the beginning and end of that video.

**peadar1987** · 22/06/2010, 8:20 PM

If you go to www.bing.com/maps, you can get an aerial photo style view of it, it's pretty good quality. The ground doesn't look bad at all

**corkharps** · 22/06/2010, 11:38 PM

Originally Posted by Darkglasses

Hope they never go back to Jackman.

Johnny Cash song?

**Riddickcule** · 23/06/2010, 2:38 AM

Great news. Hopefully they can develop this into a top class little ground.

**harry crumb** · 23/06/2010, 3:43 AM

The greyhounds move out to a fancy €18m facility while the soccer lads move into a €3m site.

Like a lot of things in this country, priorites are wrong.

**Riddickcule** · 23/06/2010, 10:12 AM

Agreed, it really is sad to see that theres more dosh in feckin greyhound racing than there is in football. Oh how do we break this vicous cycle.

**Ezeikial** · 23/06/2010, 11:16 AM

Originally Posted by harry crumb

The greyhounds move out to a fancy €18m facility while the soccer lads move into a €3m site.

Like a lot of things in this country, priorites are wrong.

There was probably no greyhounds on €4000 a week contracts

**WoodquayBoy** · 23/06/2010, 11:34 AM

Best of luck to Limerick FC - how I wish our own club could sort out a ground of their own. Or even their own bloody training pitch.
Just looking at the photo above, there doesn;t appear to be room for covered stands around the pitch - would this be an issue, or is there scope to narrow the pitch and, obviously, remove the dog track

**Dodge** · 23/06/2010, 11:37 AM

Originally Posted by Mr A

What's the plan for funding the development? Has Sullivan deep enough pockets to make it happen or are there sports grants promised?

Loads and loads fo friendlies v barcelona, real madrid etc etc

(Great news BTW, exciting times for Limerick fans)

**Riddickcule** · 23/06/2010, 11:49 AM

Hmm maybe this should have gone into the stadium developments thread. Was going to ask about the update on our own development.

**Jofspring** · 23/06/2010, 1:57 PM

I'd say from the outside walls into the edge of the pitch you could put decent sized stands the whole way around. It would probably be similar in look to the likes of Turners Cross. Hard to know though until plans are seen. I remember a Limerick program last season had some kind of plans for the Market Field in it. Don't have the program myself so not sure the exact look. Maybe one of the other Limerick lads might know more about it. Think they are trying to get a few different groups on board too. Once the initial in roads are made i would say there would be more business people willing to back this development.