Stadium Updates (All Clubs)

**seand** · 06/10/2015, 3:27 PM

Originally Posted by Paddyfield

Bigotry in GAA is long gone.

Galway United played European games in 2 different GAA grounds in the early 1990's.

A charity game was played in Terryland between Galway Gaelic team and Galway United. The first half was soccer and the second half was Gaelic.

Players from the winning Galway All Ireland hurling minor team were guest of honour at a recent Galway United game and received a standing ovation.

I said bigotry is enshrined in the GAA because it is in the rules of the association that no club or county board is permitted to allow soccer/rugby on their grounds. I'd say 'foreign games' but the gah seem to be ok with american football, boxing, special olympics etc putting money into the coffers.

In Europe Galway played Groninigen at a communal sports ground in Carraroe that happened to also be used by the GAA. If it was a GAA ground they would not have been allowed. The GAA refused permission to use Pearse Park, incidentally. The Odense game in 91 was Ballaghdereen, which was a bit of an anomaly in that the ground wasn't registered with the GAA, so the club went ahead and rented it to GUFC. The GAA were not impressed.

Certainly the bigotry is weakening, partly from a new more pragmatic generation fighting a rearguard action against soccer, but it's still enshrined in the GAA constitution.

When was that charity game played as a matter of interest? Dundalk hosted more than one local GAA club for training on the 'plastic' pitch during the big freeze in 2010-11.

**punkrocket** · 06/10/2015, 3:28 PM

If Derry were to play the first few league games away then the Irish League season would be over anyway by the time they needed to get another ground sorted so in theory wouldn't really be ground sharing with Institute at all. It's not the first time Derry've gone east of the Foyle having been forced to play their matches in Coleraine in the seventies when other clubs refused to go to Brandywell.

**seand** · 06/10/2015, 3:56 PM

While we're on the subject of bigotry I'd imagine the IFA might not be too impressed but can't see them being as difficult as the GAA.

**Mr A** · 06/10/2015, 4:17 PM

Derry are members of the IFA so it wouldn't be an issue from that perspective.

**SeanDMRooney** · 06/10/2015, 4:23 PM

Still accurate drawings ? http://m.derryjournal.com/news/first...well-1-6163519

**Martinho II** · 06/10/2015, 7:34 PM

What is Riverside in Derry used for? never heard of it before!

**Mr A** · 06/10/2015, 8:39 PM

The Riverside is Institute's ground.

**Dunny** · 06/10/2015, 9:25 PM

Grim times for Derry fans having to play home games in another ground.If it's Finn Park it would be a disaster for the them imo!
Don't know if i'm over Dundalks 2005 season yet ? Awful depressing times

http://www.dundalkfc.com/the-ghost-o...gan-revisited/

**Nesta99** · 06/10/2015, 10:17 PM

Originally Posted by Martinho II

What is Riverside in Derry used for? never heard of it before!

Riverside - the same as Bogside except different...

**D24Saint** · 07/10/2015, 8:01 AM

Originally Posted by SeanDMRooney

Still accurate drawings ? http://m.derryjournal.com/news/first...well-1-6163519

Was hoping for some redevelopment of the current curved stand it makes for an awful view of the game for away fans, the other stand will look great when done.

**ForzaHoop** · 07/10/2015, 8:42 AM

Was hoping for some news on Harps ground update, serious progression early in the year but completely stopped now
and not looking like it will be anywhere near ready for next season

**Mr A** · 07/10/2015, 9:19 AM

If it were ready for 2017 I would be delighted. It seems it has been a bureaucratic nightmare every step of the way.

**SeanDMRooney** · 07/10/2015, 1:53 PM

Originally Posted by D24Saint

Was hoping for some redevelopment of the current curved stand it makes for an awful view of the game for away fans, the other stand will look great when done.

Presumably ultimately long after we are dead and gone the curves will be demolished and they might put ends on it to enclose the whole thing

**Nesta99** · 07/10/2015, 3:43 PM

Similar to Croke Park then.

**nigel-harps1954** · 07/10/2015, 4:04 PM

Originally Posted by D24Saint

Was hoping for some redevelopment of the current curved stand it makes for an awful view of the game for away fans, the other stand will look great when done.

As much as I hate to say it, the curved ends will actually be fantastic once they get the pitch in tight to the stand and rid of the dog track. If the ends of the stand curve in around the corners of the pitch it could work out brilliant for away fans.

**Longfordian** · 07/10/2015, 5:13 PM

Originally Posted by Mr A

If it were ready for 2017 I would be delighted. It seems it has been a bureaucratic nightmare every step of the way.

I was trying to think the other day (a dangerous idea at the best of times) how long has it been since Harps first announced their stadium plans and what was the original completion date?

**nigel-harps1954** · 07/10/2015, 5:20 PM

Originally Posted by Longfordian

I was trying to think the other day (a dangerous idea at the best of times) how long has it been since Harps first announced their stadium plans and what was the original completion date?

Planning permission was granted in 2007. Broke ground a year later.

**Longfordian** · 07/10/2015, 6:14 PM

Cheers nigel. I had thought it was even earlier than that for some reason.

**toffeejay** · 07/10/2015, 6:30 PM

Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954

As much as I hate to say it, the curved ends will actually be fantastic once they get the pitch in tight to the stand and rid of the dog track. If the ends of the stand curve in around the corners of the pitch it could work out brilliant for away fans.

Hope the pitch is moving in as you say, but even so would they not be able to knock down the curved ends in front of the flood lights? Then stands could go up behind the goals eventually.

**gufcfan** · 07/10/2015, 7:34 PM

Originally Posted by Paddyfield

Galway United played European games in 2 different GAA grounds in the early 1990's.

I am not arguing with you about your general point, but the pitch they played Groningen on was a pitch that the GAA were allowed to use and did not belong to them.