It is still unclear as to whether Stadium Ireland will go ahead as originally planned. An economic slowdown due to the impact of the foot and mouth crisis, the worldwide IT slowdown and the Sept 11 events has strongly affected Ireland and the government are dropping hints that the project may be cut back or built over a longer time period. The FAI brokered a deal to the tune of £150 million with the government to use Stadium Ireland for the Irish International fixtures and many of the projects mentioned below are relying on some of this money becoming available in the near future to the Eircom League clubs.

The opening of Shamrock Rovers’ new purpose built stadium in Tallaght has been delayed. Building work is ongoing as is fundraising efforts by the Hoops to raise the money required to complete phase 1 of the work. Chairman Joe Colwell recently made a presentation on the current status of the stadium project to the Finance Committee of the FAI informing them that IRL £1.5 million was required to complete phase 1. Following this meeting the club received provisional guarantees that two-thirds of this amount would be made available through FAI and Government support, with the balance of the money coming from investors. The pitch which was laid in the summer is already playable and the Hoops squad have already been training on it. It is now expected that the first game will be played some time after Christmas, possibly the start of the next season in June.

Derry City who are planning a major redevelopment of the Brandywell will need to arrange a lease with the local council before being eligible for funds from the FAI. Under FAI rules a lease is required on a ground before funding becomes available. At present Derry have only a licence from the local council. Derry City are also hoping to avail of themselves funding from other Northern Ireland institutions.

Cork City hope to have floodlights installed at Turners Cross in advance of an Ireland u-21 game there early next year. It has been reported the floodlights may be those currently located at former ground Bishopstown.

Bray Wanderers are carrying out a study on the feasibility of building a 300 space car park under the Carlisle Grounds in conjunction with local council. Also, Bray have lodged planning permission for a roof to cover one side of the ground which is currently seated and also to build a clubhouse and an all-weather pitch in the Carlisle Grounds. The total cost of the plans is IRL £2m and Bray have already received a grant of IRL £300,000 from the government.

UCD are planning a major upgrade of Belfield Park, including extending the current stand, building a new stand on the opposite touchline that would include 2,000 seats, corporate / media facilities and dressing rooms. Also they plan to move to pitch 10 meters so as to build a covered stand behind one of the goals. College authorities have met to discuss the developments and look at the costs involved.

Finn Harps are currently considering a move to a new ground, just a few hundred yards away across the river Finn to a proposed combined facility with the Finn Valley Athletics club. Finn Valley AC have already completed substantial developments to their site (including Dressing rooms, Sports Hall and Social Club) and have surrounding land available for expansion. Negotiations are ongoing (and reportedly very promising) which could lead to Harps having an 8,000 seater ground and excellent training and all weather facilities on a site which will also house a swimming pool, gym and separate running track.