Official opening of Ice Hockey stadium in Dundalk

**Poor Student** · 19/03/2007, 3:52 PM

Holiday, am I to understand with the scheduling of the Ireland v Dundalk game that Friday would be hockey night if the sport was established here? It'd be annoying to have it clash with the eL on Friday though that wouldn't be a problem in Dundalk.

**incident** · 19/03/2007, 3:58 PM

Originally Posted by holidaysong

Well I heard that a team from Liverpool are looking to get in, expanding it to 12 with us being the other team. We'll see how the World Championships Division III go in Dundalk in a months time. It could boost the Dundalk Bulls case a lot if it can attract good crowds.

Well, I'd be suprised if Liverpool took part next season as they won't finish building their new arena untill 2008, which makes them unlikely (but sadly not impossible) entrants.

I've heard them mentioned as a probable candidate for 2008/09, but it's really difficult to look that far ahead just now, as things change too quickly.. I guess that the league structures will be much the same, but I'd be surprised if all of the current 10 teams took part, as that would mean a level of continuity not seen in the sport for about 10 years now.. I think there's been team changes nearly every season (sometimes during the season) since the EIHL was formed.

**holidaysong** · 19/03/2007, 4:12 PM

Originally Posted by Poor Student

Holiday, am I to understand with the scheduling of the Ireland v Dundalk game that Friday would be hockey night if the sport was established here? It'd be annoying to have it clash with the eL on Friday though that wouldn't be a problem in Dundalk.

They also played against a Finnish club side on Saturday night and Sunday night so I would say it would be one of the three. I'm sure they would have more sense than to clash with Dundalk FC.

Originally Posted by incident

Well, I'd be suprised if Liverpool took part next season as they won't finish building their new arena untill 2008, which makes them unlikely (but sadly not impossible) entrants.

I suppose all that Dundalk can do is apply and see how they get on. They won't keep paying for the players they have signed though if they can't get a league to play in.

**BohsPartisan** · 20/03/2007, 9:19 AM

Don't see how a town the size of Dundalk could sustain a Hockey Franchise. I mean the Giants don't sell out their arena and they are one of the top sides in the elite league and based in a City. Surely the only location for a southern franchise is Dublin? It has to be The Dublin Vikings!

**holidaysong** · 20/03/2007, 12:41 PM

Originally Posted by BohsPartisan

It has to be The Dublin Vikings!

Shouldn't that be the Home Farm Vikings?!?

Seriously, I don't know how we'd expect to sustain it either but perhaps people from Dublin would travel up to the games..?!?

**Poor Student** · 20/03/2007, 12:47 PM

Originally Posted by holidaysong

Seriously, I don't know how we'd expect to sustain it either but perhaps people from Dublin would travel up to the games..?!?

I love watching hockey but there's no way I'd do that, particularly on a Friday. I think a low budget All-Ireland league is the way to go with a view to building the game up to launch an Elite league franchise eventually.

Holiday, who is funding this Dundalk club? Where did they get their players from?

**BohsPartisan** · 21/03/2007, 1:20 PM

Well Elite league games seem to be played on Saturdays, Sundays, Thursdays and some Fridays. As there are a few games a week there is no one particular Hockey night. Still Friday games wouldn't clash with footie for most of the season as Hockey is played September to March. Still can't see a Dundalk franchise working though I'd probably head up.

**holidaysong** · 27/03/2007, 1:41 PM

Originally Posted by Poor Student

I love watching hockey but there's no way I'd do that, particularly on a Friday. I think a low budget All-Ireland league is the way to go with a view to building the game up to launch an Elite league franchise eventually.

Holiday, who is funding this Dundalk club? Where did they get their players from?

I have no idea who is funding it. Most of the players are from Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia as far as I know.

**Poor Student** · 31/03/2007, 9:30 PM

By the way, is anyone actually thinking of attending the World Championship?

**Aberdonian Stu** · 02/04/2007, 9:13 AM

I'm tempted.

**BohsPartisan** · 02/04/2007, 1:17 PM

I'll be away for the beginning but hoping to get to some of it.

**Poor Student** · 02/04/2007, 1:18 PM

Originally Posted by BohsPartisan

I'll be away for the beginning but hoping to get to some of it.

Lifts on BP.

**superfrank** · 02/04/2007, 1:28 PM

A week earlier and I'd go. But I have bloody LC Orals.

**BohsPartisan** · 02/04/2007, 1:40 PM

Originally Posted by Poor Student

Lifts on BP.

If you fancy going on my crossbar.

**Block G Raptor** · 02/04/2007, 2:13 PM

I'll be There if I'm Still Driving

**Poor Student** · 02/04/2007, 5:27 PM

Originally Posted by BohsPartisan

If you fancy going on my crossbar.

Grand by my me. No petrol money to chip in and you'll do the wheeling.

First game is ok to get to I think. It's early on a Sunday. Bus up and bus down in one day.

**holidaysong** · 04/04/2007, 1:15 PM

I'll try and get to a few of the Ireland games although the first one is clashing with Dundalk vs. Cobh Ramblers. The tickets are �15 per game. No student prices!

**Poor Student** · 04/04/2007, 8:23 PM

Just looking at the Bus Eireann schedule for Dundalk: http://www.buseireann.ie/site/your_j...pressway/1.pdf

If every stop in Dundalk in the Dublin direction is drop off only, then how do you get a bus to Dublin from Dundalk?

**holidaysong** · 05/04/2007, 5:51 PM

Originally Posted by Poor Student

Just looking at the Bus Eireann schedule for Dundalk: http://www.buseireann.ie/site/your_j...pressway/1.pdf

If every stop in Dundalk in the Dublin direction is drop off only, then how do you get a bus to Dublin from Dundalk?

You don't get the Belfast bus, you just get the 100 to Dundalk. Matthews Coaches go from outside Paddy Power on Parnell St. and offer a quicker, cheaper service. A lot of their buses are direct to Dundalk so you can avoid Drogheda.

**CollegeTillIDie** · 08/04/2007, 6:57 AM

Originally Posted by theworm2345

I used to play left wing for an ice hockey team, maybe if I ever move to Ireland I could play for this team. How is the quality (I suppose do your best to compare it to something, I don't know how you would)
There are a few good Irish hockey players over here (Irish-American or Irish-Canadian that is)
Brendan Morrison is the first one who comes to mind

That would be the way forward for the Irish team to go higher in the rankings. Have one or two of those guys to add to the home based talent. There's also a few good Irish-Canadians and Irish-Americans playing for Belfast Giants.
If Dundalk join the UK League I could see them getting some support from Dublin. As there used to be a few teams operating in Dublin when there were two Ice rinks in the city.