Eircom Park

The FAI have finally abandoned any prospect of sharing the Irish Government’s own proposed National Stadium and have thrown their full support behind the Eircom park project. Meanwhile, a request has been made to Bord Pleanala, the Irish planning authority, by a local residents association for an oral hearing into South Dublin County Councils decision to grant outline planning permission for the planned 45,000-seater stadium. The Department of Defence, who are located nearby the site at Casement Aerodrome, has also submitted a lengthy and detailed appeal on the air safety issue. The hearings are scheduled shortly.

Shamrock Rovers – New Glenmalure Park

The initial prediction of November 2000 for The Hoops occupancy of their new ground have proved wildly optimistic with the Tallaght project now not being ready until next season. In October contracts were signed for the construction of phase one for the proposed stadium on Sean Walsh Memorial Park in southwest Dublin. The cost of the first phase, which will bring with it a pitch, some fairly modest facilities and ample car parking, is now put at £4.2 million. Of that total the government have pledged £500,000, although the club is hopeful that will be increased as construction starts. The FAI has also begun the payments of their £400,000 grant that they pledged at the announcement of the venture. In the interim, Rovers are still based at their temporary home of Morton Stadium in Santry.

Croke Park

Phase two of the redevelopment of the stadium for national sports in Ireland, Croke Park, has been completed at a cost of £40 million. It involved the canal end of the master plan and now provides seating for 21,200 in the same four-tier configuration as in phase one.

A £20 million government grant has enabled the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) to start phase three 2 years ahead of schedule. It will provide 23,500 seats and is set for completion in early 2002. The roof will extend further, to 40 metres and the cost for phase three will be £65 million. The stadium when completed will have a capacity of 79,000 seats and will be used for the opening ceremony and track and field events in the Special Olympics being held in the capital in 2003.

Finn Harps - Finn Park

The Donegal based side spent the summer improving the drainage at their ground in Ballybofey. The stadium is adjacent to the River Finn and several fixtures in recent seasons have been lost to heavy waterlogging. Meanwhile, plans for redeveloping the ground, first mooted in 1998, seem no nearer becoming reality as the Donegalmen are concentrating on premier Division survival.

St. Francis - Hyland Park