Dublin Groundshare Debate

**Billy Lord** · 19/02/2006, 1:12 AM

Interesting debate. I would feel that Rovers can achieve at least moderate improvement in their support by moving to Tallaght on the basis that:
a) There's good craic - Rovers fans are the most vociferous and colourful in the EL
b) The club has developed strong under-age roots in Tallaght
c) The stadium will be relatively modern
d) With proactive marketing techniques now in operation at the club, it's probable that they can attract a high level of sponsorship
e) There is a sizeable amount of people who feel an affinity to Rovers and - should Rovers offer a good day out - the likliehood is that the public will respond positively
Shels may have been highly successful in recent years, but there simply isn't the allure there that's comparable to what Shamrock Rovers can bring to Tallaght.
Rovers have the name, reputation and now a forward-thinking set-up that can exploit the situation.
This has been a party political broadcast on behalf of Shamrock Rovers.

**sonofstan** · 19/02/2006, 9:33 AM

Originally Posted by Billy Lord

This has been a party political broadcast on behalf of Shamrock Rovers.

the word 'proactive' was a giveaway

**sonofstan** · 19/02/2006, 10:42 AM

Originally Posted by BohsFan

Nowhere has it even attempted to explain how, with two competing shows arriving in town, the low budget one is going to take more at the box-office than the one with the big name director and a cast full of stars.

Ollie as 'the big name director?' Fatty Arbuckle maybe ....

**CollegeTillIDie** · 19/02/2006, 3:48 PM

Given the dearth of genuine football fans in the City of Dublin ( i.e. those who regularly attend EL games .. everyone else is a barstool potato) I think the Directors of Bohemians who are interested in groundsharing on a permanent basis with other clubs are merely taking care of business and examining the bottom line long term. It may not be what the fans like or can even desire to get their head around, but the fact remains if Bohs are to remain full time , then schemes such as groundsharing with a reasonably large other Dublin club, have to at least be considered. The alterntive of trying to get 6,000 punters into Dalyer every fortnight won't happen even if Bohs were to win the Champions League...

**Dr.Nightdub** · 19/02/2006, 4:03 PM

Originally Posted by BohsFan

As a matter of fact, outside of a certain EL football cognoscenti I would wager that both teams would at this stage be regarded as northside teams, both having played most of their football on the northside for the last twenty years or so. The aforementioned football cognoscenti, in terms of loyalty, are probably for the most part spoken for, the big game that is next in play is for the patronage and loyalty of those who know **** all about the EL. Almost by definition the majority of these are far more likely to gravitate towards the more successful of the two teams. The real danger for Rovers is that, all things being equal, in the short to early medium term the more successful team is likely to be Shelbourne.

Put simply, don't overestimate the local roots angle. A significantly more successful side in Tallaght is likely to enjoy a significantly better support. I know from a moral point of view that it may be important to tell yourselves otherwise but the typical Irish punter wants success and glamour and whoever can offer the most of that in Tallaght will pretty quickly come to be regarded as the local team and will be considered synonymous with the area.

Fair points, but you could substitute "Bohs" wherever it says "Rovers" and "Dalymount" wherever it says "Tallaght" and the points would be just as valid.

Which begs the question: why are Bohs still talking to Ollie?

**bohs til i die** · 19/02/2006, 6:47 PM

Originally Posted by Dr.Nightdub

Fair points, but you could substitute "Bohs" wherever it says "Rovers" and "Dalymount" wherever it says "Tallaght" and the points would be just as valid.

Which begs the question: why are Bohs still talking to Ollie?

because the board and the members want to see what deal is on the table before making a decision

**Slash/ED** · 19/02/2006, 6:52 PM

Originally Posted by anto eile

most people dont give a toss about shels

Post of the year, for comic genius it will never be matched

**pete** · 19/02/2006, 7:03 PM

Most people in dublin don't give a toss about eL football.

Bohs clearly in the strongest position here.

The biggest issue i see with the proposed state funding of Dalymount improvements is that they keep mentioning 12-15k all seater stadium when its clearly impossible to get that many seats into remaining 3 sides of the ground. 12k might be doable but no chance i can see of 15k...?

**chippie0001** · 19/02/2006, 8:16 PM

Originally Posted by Dr.Nightdub

Which begs the question: why are Bohs still talking to Ollie?

We may as well talk until we hear the full details on how the FAI plan to shaft us. Then we can decide. The only good thing out of this farce is that it focus's the mind of our members on where we are and what we have to do. If this deal turns out good for us, hide the laughter, well then it will have all been worthwhile.

**Schumi** · 20/02/2006, 2:49 PM

Originally Posted by BohsFan

The flipside is that Pats flog Richmond Park and close the door on Shels to Tallaght and then talks between us and them on Dalymount fall apart. Then its a whole different forkful of ****. Best case scenario for Shels, 2-3 seasons renting at Dalymount concurrent with and followed by a very tight budget for the playing side and move out to the middle of nowhere to, most likely, a half finished ground and a greatly diminished (hard to believe its possible, I know) support. In other-words a period of great austerity and diminished prestige. Thats if they are lucky. Other possibilities include a long long term as tenants at Dalymount (and believe me they will have to fork out more than Rovers) or else Ollie will give up the ghost and take his profit from the sale of Tolka and either folds them up or else lets them take their chances, a la Kilcoyne.

Is Tolka sold already or as good as? If it is, the above scenario makes perfect sense. If Pats share Tallaght, then Bohs have Shels over a barrel and can leave them homeless for a (possibly long) period of time with no real renting options other than Dalymount. An enviable position!

**Dodge** · 20/02/2006, 2:53 PM

Yeah but Tallght's miles away and Pats moving there is even further ahead (if at all)

**Philo** · 20/02/2006, 6:07 PM

Originally Posted by Schumi

Is Tolka sold already or as good as? If it is, the above scenario makes perfect sense. If Pats share Tallaght, then Bohs have Shels over a barrel and can leave them homeless for a (possibly long) period of time with no real renting options other than Dalymount. An enviable position!

Word has it that the Tolka land deal was done 3-4 years ago, giving Shels a lump sum advance that they gambled on CL success. That success has eluded them as has growth of other income streams and they are now on the verge of implosion, hence fairy godmother Delaney stepping in to save Ollie's bacon by waving a pointy stick in our direction.

John and Ollie can f�ck right off if they think they can steamroller us, while Shels will be made welcome as future tenants (provided they can outbid Dublin City).

**anto eile** · 20/02/2006, 7:02 PM

Originally Posted by Slash/ED

Post of the year, for comic genius it will never be matched

read the rest of my post

**Slash/ED** · 20/02/2006, 10:39 PM

Originally Posted by anto eile

read the rest of my post

It'd only be an anti climax after such a monumental opener. Well done.

**thomas** · 21/02/2006, 12:16 PM

Originally Posted by Philo

Word has it that the Tolka land deal was done 3-4 years ago, giving Shels a lump sum advance that they gambled on CL success. That success has eluded them as has growth of other income streams and they are now on the verge of implosion, hence fairy godmother Delaney stepping in to save Ollie's bacon by waving a pointy stick in our direction.

John and Ollie can f�ck right off if they think they can steamroller us, while Shels will be made welcome as future tenants (provided they can outbid Dublin City).

Bohs standing their ground... that'll be a first...
Seriously though, I hope thats how it plays out.

**NY Hoop** · 21/02/2006, 2:33 PM

Originally Posted by Slash/ED

Post of the year, for comic genius it will never be matched

Post of the year for the truth of it.

KOH

**Slash/ED** · 21/02/2006, 4:29 PM

Originally Posted by NY Hoop

Post of the year for the truth of it.

KOH

So you believe that nobody cares about Shelbourne?

Well I'd hate to see what it'd be like if we were disliked if that's the case.

**anto eile** · 21/02/2006, 9:04 PM

slash/ed
Rovers fans havent cared about shels for the past 50 years or so. for as long as i remember youve been the least important of our rival dublin clubs.
everyone hates ollie byrne.most people hate your pr!ck of a manager.
but the rest of your club (especially your unbelievably gimp-like support). i and most people i know dont give you a second thought. and cork hating you doesnt matter

thomas- if boez tell shels to fvck off and oily doesnt go ahead with his plans to move to the middle of nowhere. it would be likely that hed turn his evil eyes towards tallaght. would you risk hoping the gypos tell him to fvck off if it means sharing with us is likely?

**Student Mullet** · 21/02/2006, 10:36 PM

Originally Posted by anto eile

slash/ed
Rovers fans havent cared about shels for the past 50 years or so. for as long as i remember youve been the least important of our rival dublin clubs.

Yeah, take that Shels!!

**Slash/ED** · 22/02/2006, 5:35 PM

Originally Posted by anto eile

slash/ed
Rovers fans havent cared about shels for the past 50 years or so. for as long as i remember youve been the least important of our rival dublin clubs.