Realistically.....

[elroy]

It doesnt look like Croke park is gonna be open because they wont get a 2/3s majority. In a way it might be no bad thing, the gaa will a terrible media/public backlash about it and it will spare us having to listen to gaa heads go on about how they saved us from having no stadium and so on.

Plus if it doesnt open this year, I presume its of no use to us then because the fai/irfu will have struck an agreement with a stadium in the UK to stage games for the 2/3 year period.
So realistically are we looking at cardiff or parkhead, i would imagine are the two obvious choices?

[gspain]

Cardiff is anon starter as Wales will also have home games. anyway it is not that easy to get there from here. Limited flights and ferries.

I can't see Celtic Park being used - same issues re limited flights and ferries and potential flashpoints with Rangers fans and potential issues with Scotland playing at home in the same city.

Manchester and/or Liverpool appear to likely options. Much better flight options and the ferries. no other games nearby.

London is another option but same issue with england home games. In fairness to the ex pats who have followed us for years (most of whom appear to live in London) we should at least play one game there.

We don't have to stick to one venue.

[dynamo kerry]

It doesnt look like Croke park is gonna be open because they wont get a 2/3s majority. In a way it might be no bad thing, the gaa will a terrible media/public backlash about it and it will spare us having to listen to gaa heads go on about how they saved us from having no stadium and so on.

Plus if it doesnt open this year, I presume its of no use to us then because the fai/irfu will have struck an agreement with a stadium in the UK to stage games for the 2/3 year period.
So realistically are we looking at cardiff or parkhead, i would imagine are the two obvious choices?

a) if it doesn't pass the general assembly this year, it won't be allowed put forward again for a year or two - same situation as last time.

b) parkhead is a massively unlikely prospect due to security worries. sorry to disappoint.

cardiff or old trafford are my bets.

I'm still not writing off the gaa though,

[dynamo kerry]

Cardiff is anon starter as Wales will also have home games. anyway it is not that easy to get there from here. Limited flights and ferries.

I can't see Celtic Park being used - same issues re limited flights and ferries and potential flashpoints with Rangers fans and potential issues with Scotland playing at home in the same city.

Manchester and/or Liverpool appear to likely options. Much better flight options and the ferries. no other games nearby.

London is another option but same issue with england home games. In fairness to the ex pats who have followed us for years (most of whom appear to live in London) we should at least play one game there.

We don't have to stick to one venue.

london not necessrily the issue as the english play their games in all top stadia - elland road, villa park, old trafford, st. james'

[Hibs4Ever]

It definitely won't be in Glasgow. I thought I heard before that the Welsh FA offered the Millenium Stadium, which would be my choice. I think Anfield is probably the favourite though.

[ger121]

Just wondering how many people does croker hold minus hill 16? UEFA have banned the use of Temporary seating in stadiums and only gave a special derrogation to Lansdowne as it was going to be redevloped. The reason i say this is for two reasons. The possible attendance will be reduced from the 80,000 that the media keep throwing around. Also a whole section of the stadium will be empty which will take away from the atmosphere. I would prefer Cardiff as it holds about as much as Croker minus hill 16, all the stadium will be full and it may actually be easier to get a ticket for the big games then it would be to in Dublin.

[Peadar]

Just wondering how many people does croker hold minus hill 16?

69,500

I think the stadium in Cardiff is too big.
How do we expect to fill 72,000 seats in Cardiff!?

I was down near Ashburton Grove at the weekend and had a look through the fence at the new Emirates Staduim where Arsenal will play from the summer of 2006. It's looking very impressive already.
It will have a capacity of 60,000
By that time the capacity of Old Trafford is expected to be 76,000 and the new Wembley will be around 90,000.
The capacity at Anfield is 45,362 but it would make my skin crawl if I had to go there for Ireland "home" games.

[beautifulrock]

Agree that Anfield/Millenium is the most likely, but how about the new Arsenal Stadium, it will be open by then and most likely they would be very happy with the extra revenue,. Very easy to access from both Heathrow and Stansted. I also would not rule out Croke Park just yet

[Eirambler]

How about Murrayfield?

Easy to get to from all over Ireland (flights from Dublin, Cork and Galway)
60,000 plus capacity
No other international soccer teams in play in the city
Large Irish community

I think it would be a great spot (obviously it would suit me!) but havent heard anyone with any influence mention it yet.

[Peadar]

havent heard anyone with any influence mention it yet.

Wasn't it ruled out for one reason or another?

[dynamo kerry]

How about Murrayfield?

Easy to get to from all over Ireland (flights from Dublin, Cork and Galway)
60,000 plus capacity
No other international soccer teams in play in the city
Large Irish community

I think it would be a great spot (obviously it would suit me!) but havent heard anyone with any influence mention it yet.

greqat idea. suits me too

[BaZmO*]

I think Anfield is probably the favourite though.

Yeah, I think that's the definite favourite. We've played there already.

And if not Anfield, then the Millenium Stadium.

B.

[gspain]

london not necessrily the issue as the english play their games in all top stadia - elland road, villa park, old trafford, st. james'

Wembley will be ready by May 2006. It will host all the big home games again then.

[Dawn_Run]

Do we know for sure what date Lansdown is closing?

[Eire06]

Do we know for sure what date Lansdown is closing?

Ya I've a feeling that if we get turned down by the GAA board they'll hold off on the lansdowne redevelopment till the majority of the games are over...

If not they are welcome in Terryland Park

[Peadar]

Do we know for sure what date Lansdown is closing?

Aren't they doing it section by section like Croke Park?

[monutdfc]

Aren't they doing it section by section like Croke Park?

No, the whole playing field is being moved so there's no question of doing it in sections.
No idea when it is due to start. I've heard the IRFU have their funding lined up, but I don't think the FAI do (could be wrong), but has it got all the planning permissions etc?

[Peadar]

I've just been looking at the Arup website but they've got no mention of Lansdowne Road in their projects, despite the fact they're the consultants behind it and it was said to be finished in 2008.
Typical!

[KR's Post]

Manchester and/or Liverpool appear to likely options. Much better flight options and the ferries. no other games nearby.

.

Cant play in Manchester. England are playing all there HOME qualifiers there.....

[Peadar]

This thing could run for years yet.

Taken from the Lansdowne Road Stadium Development Company website.

Once the Design and Project Management
Teams have developed a design, they will
then prepare the submission that will finally
go to Dublin City Council seeking planning
permission. It is anticipated that the earliest
a planning application will be made is at the
end of 2005. A full Environmental Impact
Study, will be undertaken as part of the
Planning Application.