Attendances 2025

[oriel]

I was checking FAI App earlier, that is some swing by Dundalk in terms of attendances for the last 2 home games, and with respect same modest away support of probably 15 or so for each game.

UCD - 26 Sept - 1,607

FH - 10 Oct - 3,356

An increase of 1,749 and shows there is the backing of the locals when it matters, overall though the FD can be a very 'hard sell' and a hard watch to be frank, so hopefully we can get 6-7 new players in and keep away from it for a long time !

[nr637]

I was checking FAI App earlier, that is some swing by Dundalk in terms of attendances for the last 2 home games, and with respect same modest away support of probably 15 or so for each game.

UCD - 26 Sept - 1,607

FH - 10 Oct - 3,356

An increase of 1,749 and shows there is the backing of the locals when it matters, overall though the FD can be a very 'hard sell' and a hard watch to be frank, so hopefully we can get 6-7 new players in and keep away from it for a long time !

Yes it shows there is the backing of the locals when it matters, all the bandwagon fans come out on the day that matters!

[oriel]

Unfortunately the FD is just not attractive, very limited away fans attending this season, some cases 10 or less wouldn't have helped.

It was still great to see so many kids and families at the FH game last friday, hopefully they will all be back for the PD season, and even basic improvements can be done to the ground over the winter.

[nr637]

Unfortunately the FD is just not attractive, very limited away fans attending this season, some cases 10 or less wouldn't have helped.

It was still great to see so many kids and families at the FH game last friday, hopefully they will all be back for the PD season, and even basic improvements can be done to the ground over the winter.

Well done to Dundalk and I am really glad for the fans having Premier games to attend next season. The only regret is the unfortunate away fans that will have to put up with the very poor state of Oriel Park!

Any chance we might see some basic improvements like some covered terracing!

[EatYerGreens]

I was checking FAI App earlier, that is some swing by Dundalk in terms of attendances for the last 2 home games, and with respect same modest away support of probably 15 or so for each game.

UCD - 26 Sept - 1,607

FH - 10 Oct - 3,356

An increase of 1,749 and shows there is the backing of the locals when it matters, overall though the FD can be a very 'hard sell' and a hard watch to be frank, so hopefully we can get 6-7 new players in and keep away from it for a long time !

Who knew that Finn Harps were such a draw.

[Nesta99]

Well done to Dundalk and I am really glad for the fans having Premier games to attend next season. The only regret is the unfortunate away fans that will have to put up with the very poor state of Oriel Park!

Any chance we might see some basic improvements like some covered terracing!

Eh you do know its no palace for home fans either?

[nr637]

Eh you do know its no palace for home fans either?

But you accept it as nothing as been invested in the ground over the years, especially during the recent glory years of Kenny!

[placid casual]

The Kenny glory years was 10 yrs ago.
Most of the clubs in the league have moved on significantly since then
It's up to Dundalk,it's owner's and most importantly supporters if they want to join the rest of us in the Premier Division and stay there/become successful again.

[listowelceltic]

Nr637 the Dundalk fans on here have acknowledged on here numerous times that Oriel is not fit for purpose. Needs serious investment like most grounds in both divisions.

[Nesta99]

But you accept it as nothing as been invested in the ground over the years, especially during the recent glory years of Kenny!

I would stake promotion on there being more spent on Oriel over recent times than St Colemans or a bunch or other antiquated grounds in the league. Firstly Oriel Park passes Premier Division and UEFA (early rounds) licencing albeit currently the pitch needs replacing. So maybe the FAI via licencing need to step up on this. Off the top of the head, new roof on stand and refurbishment to meet H+S requirements was done and exterior was recladded, shed was demolished and rebuilt, YDC built, S+C facilities done, video analysis rooms, team canteen/catering rooms, media rooms, surfacing of concourse/ entry to Oriel, rewiring, water/wastewater upgrades, multiple iterations of the pitch, 'the puddle' fixed at huge cost etc. An old ground sucks up money and barely touching front of house or spectator facilities. Do you hold back and just maintain an old ground to a minimum or do you spend money on something you hope to demolish and do a new build on? Of course if money is witheld on what would amount to cosmetic work youd hope that money is put aside to help fund poper redevelopment i due course hmmmm. It is a kip, its our kip so loved warts and all by us. We know what it is for away fans AND home fans bar maybe those who sit in the stand.

Id love a Turners Cross, ED Park, or smaller Tallaght Stadium but without local authority and/or football association support, going it alone is more likely to end up with a Shamrock Rovers/ Finn Harps situation. This is where Sligo Rovers stand out as an exceptional club, I wish I could say that would have been the course possible on ground improvements. Its not just LoI that run in to issues with public funding not being full and complete of course, Louth GAA have millions allocated in grants for the County Ground since 2018 and its still a building site with funding and inflationary issues. Casement Park! Even Derry City with public funding have been battling for money allotted to the Brandywell. I will take Oriel as it is until such time as we are unlikely to have a half bult stand on our hands like Rovers did and Harps do. I think people underestimate the sort of costs involved, the quagmire that the process can be. I doubt that covering the seated terraces in Oriel Park with slightly fancy farmyard type 3 sided barns would have been cost prohibitive but I do reckon that that planning issues raise their heads making it not so straight forward. Many of our grounds recieve planning type exemptions due to age, touch the place and those exemptions can be on the table. An example for Oriel Park would be traffic management, never mind the opportunity for neighbouring residents to pop their heads above the parapet. Its a long winded way of saying i wish it was as easy as having money nr, or simply thinking oh they got x money from Europe (which was a lot smaller than reported which is always gross figures not including things like charter flights to flipping Euraisa that aint Ryanair cheap or player demands). What club has circa €30mil to go to a greenfield site. Id rather Oriel than Athlone tbh. Drogheda will probably have one stand in a new ground realistically and I know many that would rather stay in United Park until there is at least a 2nd side covered terracing in the mix.

The Kenny glory years was 10 yrs ago.
Most of the clubs in the league have moved on significantly since then
It's up to Dundalk,it's owner's and most importantly supporters if they want to join the rest of us in the Premier Division and stay there/become successful again.

Well the last league title was 6 years ago, same as the first of Rovers 4 in a row now, last cup 5 years so while the Kenny era moves in to the distance, success isnt so far removed. While I know the Kenny era as something ye want to wipe from memory as soon as possible and hence you have moved on 24 hours after his last title but there is a wee bit after too. Europe 2 years ago. It shows the remarkabe mismanagement for whatever reasons and rapid decline. The folly of fans callin for billionaire owners to leave without a whole lot in place to come after. With the value of hindsight of course. Rovers 4 in a row foundations were built on Dundalk dismantling a title winning squad in favour of the Zahibos, Abibis, and Natestads - maybe Bill and Jim were Rovers agents taking down opposition from the inside! Its a more reasonable conspiracy than most of the ones floating about the internet

Its is now up to Dundalk fans and owners to make something of this promotion. Id like to think it would start with various supporters groups aligning, 3300 fans regularly truning up to games rather than a last home game of the season with half that prior, even season ticket purchases. Owner being willing to take on investment or partnerships. I dont think any club can reasonably expect to thrive within the simple means of matchnight revenue, sponsorship etc. Some form of subsidising (preferably not an overdraft) or benefactor is needed, players sales help short term but could dry up. With Dundalk eg. money gained that could go in to a squad will have to be directed at drawing down grants for pitch and floodlight so to the tune of about 500k this year. Do we have that even? I would suggest all involved in playoffs prepare applications for Premier Division licences!!