Ireland to face Colombia - London, 29th May

[frankbrett]

I wish they would but there seems to be grim determination to double and triple up on infrastructure. Some of my fellow shannonsiders are also of the opinion that people won't attend LOI unless it's in a "City centre venue".

I on the other hand contend that, if there was a successful team there competing for things, Limerick could play out of Glin and still get a good crowd. I know there's a chicken and egg conundrum there but there you have it.

I've never understood why, as far as I know, playing football at Thomond Park has never even been discussed.

The soccer pitch in Glin is sorrounded by a housing estate. This would have to knocked down for expansion to EL standards

[Deckydee]

That only holds about 13000, at a squeeze.

Ahem?

Actually it holds nearly 20000 when it is full/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loftus_Road

[CJTheGull]

What about a friendly with Kosovo? Heard they might be looking for a game.

[Scram]

the vital word there is could, still just a rumour. I would prefer a proper away trip than a trip to London to be honest.

Absolutely or even to Scotalnd, or Wales, or RavenHill Belfast...has that been opened up to soccer?

Actually, on second thought, friends and family in London, could be a good outing

[Topman]

Come on Decky,

QPR fans should know that Loftus Road, the Mecca of Football has a capacity of 19,184.....all seater stadium since 1994-95 season.

Maybe Martin Rowlands might get a game

Plenty of Irish Pubs in Shepards Bush

UUUUUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRRRRRRSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

[ifk101]

What about Sunderland's Stadium of Light?

[noby]

Ahem?

Actually it holds nearly 20000 when it is full/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loftus_Road

Fascinating, but I was replying to the Thomond Park suggestion.

[amaccann]

Fascinating, but I was replying to the Thomond Park suggestion.

The new development though is supposed to hold 30,000 though, no? Which was my question as to whether the new Thomand would be a) ready (which it wont so feh) b) accessible to soccer if they so wished.

[beautifulrock]

Its been done before in the Unity Cup in The Valley, played Nigeria in the first game a terrible game and performance as it happens, lost 3 - 0 and the crowd if I remember correctly was no more than 8000.

[Plastic Paddy]

Had they have played the Unity Cup matches in the 'spiritual heartland' of Shepherd's Bush, the games would have been sold out, I can assure you.

Modern and pleasant as The Valley is, Charlton is neither accessible nor accommodating.

PP

[beautifulrock]

Modern and pleasant as The Valley is, Charlton is neither accessible nor accommodating.

PP

very true, they actually had engineering works on that Saturday and it was nightmare to get to and from.

[backstothewall]

What about Windsor??

Stop laughing, I'm serious. Linfield could do with the money, If NI aren't using it that night why not??

[Sligo Hornet]

Had they have played the Unity Cup matches in the 'spiritual heartland' of Shepherd's Bush, the games would have been sold out, I can assure you.

Modern and pleasant as The Valley is, Charlton is neither accessible nor accommodating.

PP

I agree PP, having visited the Valley last saturday, there is very little to excite you around the stadium.....very bleak place!

However, around the "Bush" there are food outlets to cater for ANY taste, some really good pubs, and very easy to get to from Central London.The Stadium creates a good atmosphere ( even if not full ) although is now looking "very tired" ( and that's being nice! )

[NeilMcD]

Although I am sure Shepherds Bush is lovely I would much rather some other Bush to be looking for I must say.

[stiofain]

Although I am sure Shepherds Bush is lovely I would much rather some other Bush to be looking for I mus say.

Good lad

[paul_oshea]

neil these sexual innuendos are getting better

still though sharon ni blowjob wins hands down everytime

To be honest whats in sheperds bush apart from that carling academy and the aussie place full of smelly aussie buffs?! Where are these great pubs i dont know about?!

[Irish_Praha]

Ah this thread brings back a lot of memories for me From exactly 10 years ago I was a football steward for the the 1997-98 season in London for the non-premiership teams. Charlton, Milwall, QPR and Fulham were my main stays. I have to agree that QPR had a much nicer stadium than Charlton at that stage. They (Charlton) had max. 16,000 capacity then. I know it's been upgraded since then though. Milwall was the best because they shared the leftover pies and rolls among the stewards instead 0of throwing them in the rubbish like the other clubs. Which was nice after 4 hours of standing around in the cold for 5 quid an hour.
Edited to say:
I forgot to mention that Charlton was handy for me because I lived in Plumstead but there was no tube station near there. However, the tube station in the Bush looked very 70's. Has it been renovated recently (since '98) or it still looks so cr@p with these 1" x 1" tiles, or was that Hammersmith (90% sure it was the bush)?

[Irish_Praha]

neil these sexual innuendos are getting better

still though sharon ni blowjob wins hands down everytime

To be honest whats in sheperds bush apart from that carling academy and the aussie place full of smelly aussie buffs?! Where are these great pubs i dont know about?!

Paul ye auld (young) pervert!

[lopez]

neil these sexual innuendos are getting better

How do you get to Shepherd's Bush?

Up the Shepherd's trousers.

I'll get my coat!

[Qwerty]

Instead of going to London, what do you reckon the chances are of getting the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick for an afternoon kickoff? 50,000 capacity and still in our own country.

Wow didn't realize that Limerick had a stadium with 50,000 seats...