Stadium Updates (All Clubs)

**northwestexile** · 17/01/2016, 6:42 PM

Press Release from the Inishowen Football League regarding Maginn Park, Buncrana.

http://inishowenfl.ie/index.php?opti...tes&Itemid=112

**gufcfan** · 17/01/2016, 7:00 PM

Are they allergic to paragraphs or what... Awful hard to read.

The Inishowen Football League met with members of the Derry City Board led by Chairman Philip O’Doherty in Maginn Park last Friday to discuss the possibility of Derry City staging some Airtricity league and FAI cup games at Maginn Park while the re development of the Brandywell is being completed.

Mr O Doherty began the meeting saying that despite intense media speculation Derry City were not in a position to approach the Inishowen League until such time as they had received the programme of works . That programme had been received from Derry & Strabane Councils just last week and at that time Mr O Doherty then approached the Inishowen League to have an exploratory meeting.

At the meeting Mr O’Doherty revealed that Derry City would need to be out of the Brandywell in August/September/ October 2016 to facilitate the completion of the works and that they were looking into the possibility of hosting six Airtricity league games plus possible FAI cup games at an alternative venue. The Airtricity league have asked Derry City to come up with some alternative venues and Maginn Park has emerged as one possible alternative.

League Chairman Laurence McColgan then gave the group a tour of the facility explaining that the ground had hosted an EA Sports cup game between Cockhill Celtic and Sligo Rovers in the recent past. Both sides however did recognise that each had a lot of work to do before it can become a reality.

In Derry Citys case while they would be in a position to supply Medical crew and Ambulance for games they would also be in a position to supply their own stewards ( who are fully trained and accredited by the FAI) but they will have to liaise with the local Garda Superintendent while also seeking approval from the FAI Club Licensing System to stage the games at Maginn Park.

They would however be hopeful that under a temporary arrangement things may not be as stringent as they normally are. While the playing surface and the floodlights themselves present little problems for the Inishowen League there are a host of improvements that would need to be carried out to satisfy even the minimum requirements of the club licensing system.

These would include lighting in the main stand, the erection of emergency lighting at (exits, toilets and in the Stand )the provision of portable toilets, the segregation of visiting supporters, general groundwork improvements and the possibility of having an emergency generator on standby.

The problem is that it will take a substantial amount of money to carry out all the upgrading. One other problem which will have to be considered is the parking facilities and the disruption which this would cause to the local area in the specified timeframe. However it is unlikely that any of the above would prove to be unsurmountable but the avenues of communication between the league and Derry will remain open in the coming weeks.

Ultimately the Airtricity League will have the final say on whether the ground will be passed or not provided that Derry and the Inishowen League can come to an amicable agreement.

**punkrocket** · 18/01/2016, 8:48 AM

You should have corrected the spelling of insurmountable while you were at it.

**Nesta99** · 18/01/2016, 9:05 AM

All that to say if Derry want Maginn Park they will have to install 'lighting in the main stand, the erection of emergency lighting at (exits, toilets and in the Stand )the provision of portable toilets.....(do) general groundwork improvements and (even) the possibility of (buying) an emergency generator for us!'.

**Titan** · 18/01/2016, 9:08 AM

If they played during daylight would that remove the need for the extra lighting?

**Dodge** · 18/01/2016, 9:27 AM

Originally Posted by Titan

If they played during daylight would that remove the need for the extra lighting?

Not in the stand AFAIK

**Mr A** · 18/01/2016, 9:27 AM

In would mitigate the possibility of vampire attack though.

**Titan** · 18/01/2016, 10:43 AM

You mean it would protect the vampires from hoards of rampaging Derry fans?

**Mr A** · 18/01/2016, 3:00 PM

Obviously.

**Jofspring** · 20/01/2016, 5:32 PM

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/21919.php#.Vp_RczYopYl

Rugby returning to Markets Field.

Going to be interesting to find out what the implications will be for Limerick FC. As it stands the club maintain the pitch. The costs involved, cutting the grass, lining the pitch etc... If Rugby will be played on the surface then who is responsible to getting it to standard for football.

**MeathDrog** · 20/01/2016, 5:50 PM

It should be easier to lobby for further ground improvements if it's being used more though.

**Jofspring** · 20/01/2016, 6:27 PM

Originally Posted by MeathDrog

It should be easier to lobby for further ground improvements if it's being used more though.

You would hope so. I imagine it will be used mainly when Limerick aren't playing. Only a few months will overlap. What id be hoping is that is takes pressure off the club with regards maintence costs of the pitch. I believe the club have already spent the bones of €20,000 on the pitch and have also had two volunteers cutting the grass, lining it and all the other maintence that goes with it it. If Munster take some of that burden then excellent. Time will tell.

**littlebray** · 22/01/2016, 2:23 PM

Originally Posted by Jofspring

I imagine it will be used mainly when Limerick aren't playing.

Well, Doh!

**White Horse** · 26/01/2016, 12:58 PM

I listened to an interview with the Drogheda United Chairman on LMFM.

Apparently, the FAI consider United Park, the Carlisle Grounds, and Oriel Park to be the last three football grounds needing to be upgraded.

Everything else is fine or is in the process of being made fine.

**nigel-harps1954** · 26/01/2016, 7:13 PM

Originally Posted by White Horse

I listened to an interview with the Drogheda United Chairman on LMFM.

Apparently, the FAI consider United Park, the Carlisle Grounds, and Oriel Park to be the last three football grounds needing to be upgraded.

Everything else is fine or is in the process of being made fine.

If Cabinteely intend on staying in Stradbrook, it definitely needs some better spectator facilities.

Wexfords Ferrycarraig Park needs upgrade work, but apparently there's work being done there before the start of the season.

The old stand in Sligo could do with a facelift, but obviously the rest of the ground is in grand condition.

Is Dalymount considered 'in the process of being made fine'?

Tolka Park? Shelbourne come under the bracket of Dalymount?

Is Inchicore grand? The away end could probably do with a facelift but it's in no way urgent really in the grand scheme.

**Nesta99** · 27/01/2016, 1:37 AM

I'd say its relative Nigel. Even Tallaght and Turners Cross could be further improved, the first 2 more structures to enclose the ground and the latter the small stand facing cameras maybe. Inchicore needs the 'shed' end developed and behind the town goal in the Showgrounds and a roof on the stand opposite, Deacy Park similar enclosing. I wont venture in to 1st Division as it is a bit the same as with Athlone, haven't been to Cobh in years. Reading between the lines Shels are probably included in any potential Dalymount plans at least from an FAI point of view. Most have at least 1 modern stand that the 3 bad boys don't. Having not been at a Cabinteely game either I cant comment. Youths will be a first but as mentioned work is ongoing. I wish Oriel and even United Park just needed a facelift as opposed to being flattened and rebuilt, ok maybe not United Park as Drogheda will most likely have to move. There isnt a huge difference between Oriel and Markets Field really bar away section and work being up to current health and safety stuff so hopefully work will be ongoing there. Haven't been to Longford in a while either but i'd imagine that the seating is getting well bleached and battered by the elements and could do with more cover but crowds dictate that need also. We haven't had the capital development that the Irish League has had but there has certainly been progress over the last 10 years.

**Charlie Darwin** · 27/01/2016, 3:19 AM

Originally Posted by Nesta99

I'd say its relative Nigel. Even Tallaght and Turners Cross could be further improved, the first 2 more structures to enclose the ground and the latter the small stand facing cameras maybe. Inchicore needs the 'shed' end developed and behind the town goal in the Showgrounds and a roof on the stand opposite, Deacy Park similar enclosing. I wont venture in to 1st Division as it is a bit the same as with Athlone, haven't been to Cobh in years. Reading between the lines Shels are probably included in any potential Dalymount plans at least from an FAI point of view. Most have at least 1 modern stand that the 3 bad boys don't. Having not been at a Cabinteely game either I cant comment. Youths will be a first but as mentioned work is ongoing. I wish Oriel and even United Park just needed a facelift as opposed to being flattened and rebuilt, ok maybe not United Park as Drogheda will most likely have to move. There isnt a huge difference between Oriel and Markets Field really bar away section and work being up to current health and safety stuff so hopefully work will be ongoing there. Haven't been to Longford in a while either but i'd imagine that the seating is getting well bleached and battered by the elements and could do with more cover but crowds dictate that need also. We haven't had the capital development that the Irish League has had but there has certainly been progress over the last 10 years.

Every stadium could do with improvement, but I'd say most are fit for purpose. Tallaght is the only modern stadium in the league, and Rovers can't take much credit for that as the previous administration couldn't manage a balance sheet let alone a stadium, but SDCC have done a great job. Dalymount will be the second if DCC fulfill their promises. Overall, the league is miles ahead of where it was a few years ago. Hopefully if clubs continue to manage themselves well that improvement will continue.

**Paddyfield** · 27/01/2016, 6:08 AM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

Every stadium could do with improvement, but I'd say most are fit for purpose. Tallaght is the only modern stadium in the league, and Rovers can't take much credit for that as the previous administration couldn't manage a balance sheet let alone a stadium, but SDCC have done a great job. Dalymount will be the second if DCC fulfill their promises. Overall, the league is miles ahead of where it was a few years ago. Hopefully if clubs continue to manage themselves well that improvement will continue.

Deacy Park and Turner's Cross should be in the same sentence as that.

**nigel-harps1954** · 27/01/2016, 8:12 AM

Originally Posted by Paddyfield

Deacy Park and Turner's Cross should be in the same sentence as that.

The Comer stand, yes. The old stand, no. While it's still a great stand, it's nowhere near the standard of Tallaght. It's definitely the most modern ground in the league, but it does badly need the two ends filled in, even something similar to that of Deacy Park with the wall at the car-park end.