QuoteThey don't use it for underage matches though do they?Originally Posted by oriel
Dundalk still have access to the grass pitch owned by a local school right behind YDC / away goal end, train on that for away games apart from Derry. However not owning one is not good.
#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).
They don't use it for underage matches though do they?
BetweenTheStripes.net - Home of Between the Stripes LOI podcast.
It is available for underage use if need be but its easier to use the main pitch. Just from the need to have the pitch lined, goals set up, that the surface is suitable for a match as opposed to training, walked for glass or dog sh1t, people to retrieve balls from the long grass or before local kids hanging around scarper with a match ball, not clasing with school use etc. It would take more people to be about than using Oriel itself, no floodlights (there were training lights) or even just street lighting at access points depending on the time of the year. I dont now if there are minimum standards for national underage venues but Hiney Park would bound to need some work if it was used for that purpose regularly im sure.
Hopefully some movement to be announced next few weeks by Dundalk.
https://www.dundalkfc.com/dundalk-fc...ate-june-2024/
Last edited by oriel; 14/06/2024 at 6:57 PM.
#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).
Great to hear, engaging with other sporting clubs definitely the way to go. I have to say though, having been in Oriel on Thursday, the basic standards around the place have really gone to **** again. The stand is absolutely filthy, advertising hoardings falling to pieces, the disaster of a new disabled section has become a real eyesore, just general untidyness around the place, surely someone should be enforcing these standards?
Filthy in what way just out of interest not being able to attend games currently muself, as in not swept after the previous weeks game, seating needing cleaning (rather than old weather worn look? Under the stand, corridors, bar toilets etc not cleaned properly? Its not the biggest job to do, as in general/maintanace caretaking of the stand as a whole, but maybe the stand was in use just prior to the Thursday matchnight. The wider ground needs fairly significant man hours to keep things reasonable so if there is a shortage of people I can see why it can become unkempt looking. It would take 3 people pretty flat out to do things like repairing advertisment hoarding, spraying weeds, pitch work, fixing advertising hoarding. In the past there was obviously Mickey Fox looking after the (grass) pitch and there was a CE scheme doing the bread and butter around the ground. There were volunteer tidy up days also. So itd be interesting to know whether there are people employed as groundskeeper, or is there very limited volunteer numbers.
The town end grassy knoll did look like it was left uncut for the bees. The new disabled area doesnt look used much at all from watching on TV to me so where do those who used to be pitch side go now? It doesnt strike me as a particularly good vantage point regardless of its aesthetic.
The YDC isnt such an old building that youd expect would need rewiring unless it was shoddily done in the 1st place but good to see fire regulations met to allow its use again. Installation of a bar wouldnt be a major expensive for the potential return if the licence isnt an issue - can the Lilywhite Lounge/McGuill licences extend to to YDC if opted for.
There were always areas around Oriel that were used for 'storage' that should be clear for safety reasons (behind away terrace abd Lilywhite Lounge) and may even have enough space for fan spots (even just face painting for kid, occasional bbq) like end of the shed, town end and around to the rear of the shed or heven forbid permanent toilet blocks like Town End terrace. forecourt of the YDC entrance has loads of space for prematch familay activities. Could all come under the remit of a facilities manager but would need staff too. Id have expected s CEO to be too busy dealing with the more business aspect of running the club.
We talk about improving facilities but maximising what is there is the startig point, and its takes appointing full time staff - though some may pay for themselves if it means additional income streams are possible. Like in the distant past there was pitchside advertisement for business who were out of business or hadnt paid up for the space for ages - maybe the gaps in the hoarding have to be filled?!
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