More on the Harps situation: http://www.donegalsporthub.com/total...IG6Dv1fvrXlStM
Fair to say Paul isn't overly happy with the situation.
#NeverStopNotGivingUp
Paul is no mug, would expect him to get the funding approved before the election.
Do all the current allocation of grants go out the window with the election ?
No, they are committed now so should be OK where they are allocated.
Meanwhile Harps have written to all local Dail candidates about stadium issue.
https://www.finnharps.ie/post/harps-...neral-election
#NeverStopNotGivingUp
Yeah I'd imagine even if it could be part-roofed it would be better than nothing. At 1,300 capacity, the stand is probably a bit too big. I noticed that even the aspirational plans for the old shed end don't include spectator accommodation as a priority, saying increased capacity is not needed. Whereas if the VW stand was a bit smaller there might be more of a push to have another small stand down that end. I really like the Showgrounds, it's really close to being all you could ever need in a LOI ground but for a few niggley things like the lack of roof and empty shed end. It's one of our best grounds IMO.
Responses from candidates and from the county council and FAI posted on site Harps site here: https://www.finnharps.ie/post/respon...-election-2020
The idea that was put about the day after the announcement from someone within department that the FAI and Council aren't backing us is dispelled here and the story about the economic appraisal not being there was total BS.
#NeverStopNotGivingUp
Interesting responses from the FG candidates there: the first seems to think there isn't really a problem because the application can be approved at any time, and the second wants to pass the buck to Donegal County Council, who, of course, are dominated by FG's opposition.
Author of Never Felt Better (History, Film Reviews).
I'm ready to believe the worst of the Council.
I mean: anybody who uses Comic Sans in a formal letter is capable of anything.
Hello, hello? What's going on? What's all this shouting, we'll have no trouble here!
- E Tattsyrup.
Peter Fitzpatrick was canvassing outside Oriel on Thursday night. Asked him why he vetoed the ground development for Drogheda and Dundalk mid-louth and he claimed that Dundalk didnt want to be involved which scuppered the plan so hmmmmm!!, there was something about proximity to rail station but it was hard to keep up fully. He also said that now as County Chairman he will guarantee that Dundalk FC would have use of the County Ground if and whenever required. When suggested that that is a decision for GAA Congress rather than Louth Chairman he suggested that he would have enough sway in govt to get the GAA to play ball. So hmmmmmm!! (Harps fans should register to vote in Louth and get Fitzer elected as it seems he has significant clout - ground problems solved over night post election results). Thing is he is pretty well known for being an honest broker - maybe a term in office has turned him...
He was FG but is now running as an independent. He has a chance at the last seat due to the Gah support that got him elected last time out. I think it was highly ironic that he was canvassing outside a Dundalk v Drogheda game all things considered. I'm not that familiar with how exactly GAA is set up in Louth these days but I'd have thought the county delegate to Congress mattered more than the County Chairman. In the past the County Secretary was a law unto himself!
That said Fitzpatrick is very highly thought of in GAA circles in general and potentially being a TD also could be a benefit to (Louth) GAA. He seemed a bit caught on the hop as if it wasnt known that he lobbied against DkIT multisport stadium. He didnt hold back when asked about the conduct of the former County Secretary which for different reasons was refreshing. He was of course saying what needed to be said, but I was still quite surprised by his comments on the County Ground being made available at all as he has a reputation at least for not being an entirely self serving TD and generally seemed to stick by his principles irrespective of how popular they were or not. Do I think Dundalk will play in the new County Ground someday - yes it is likely at some point. Will it be a regularised agreement brokered by Fitzer I highly doubt it. As an aside he is dreadful whenever interviewed by various media, he isnt so bad in person. I would hope that I wasnt the only person who questioned his camaigning outside Oriel, like he is certainly entitled to but it was an opportunity to raise issues on Oriel Park to a potential elected TD. What was also of note was when the difficult questions were asked his 'team' distanced themselved and the smiles disappeared so they possibly anticipated a less than warm welcome from some quarters.
Last edited by Nesta99; 01/02/2020 at 8:09 PM.
Cobh Ramblers running a GoFundMe as the St Colman’s Park dugout has been destroyed by Storm Ciara. A new one now*has to be put in before the start of the season, as well as the backing fence. Last thing we need so close to the opener.*Any donations are much appreciated.*https://www.gofundme.com/f/storm-cia...cp+share-sheet
For anyone unaware, the Shed in Richmond has been taken down
https://www.the42.ie/the-shed-st-pat...98761-Feb2020/
Fitzpatrick got elected in the end in Louth, and even though he is an ex DFC youth player (almost sure), he is GAA to the core, but certainly big into Dundalk town and FC also, so we'll see, but I still don't think he will have a veto over GAA council. I think you only have to look at the Liam Miller game to see the level the GAA are at, almost had to be begged to stand down.
On the ground itself, of course, absolutely nothing done during the winter to Oriel Park, they will go on about the 600k spent inside the YDC, new dressing rooms, new gym, new media room, players food hall etc, and all well and good and players looked after.
As for the fans, both home and away, it will be another season of just not acceptable, I honesty think the only way is for new LOI / FAI to impose minimum standards of say 3k covered seats, or withhold a PD licence, give any club like DFC a strict time limit to get it done, which would essentially force the owners to have no choice to make improvements.
It might work, but it shouldn't have to come down like this, but something needs to be done, its 2020 and we have a ground stuck in the 70's. Not good enough.
#DundalkFC - First Irish club to win an away game in Europe (1963), first Irish club to win points in a group stage in Europe (2016).
I don’t know where you’re getting the notion that he is big into Dundalk FC. The only time he appears at oriel is at the European games. He has zero interest in the club. And anyone who believed his nonsense in the run up to the election, that he’ll make sure we can use the GAA ground when we need it, is deluded.
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