The Revamped Lansdowne Road - will it happen?

kilkennycat2004

It is being claimed that that the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road could be delayed by at least two years, after large amounts of asbestos were found in the roofing at the site.
According to today's Sunday Tribune the completion of the €250m stadium refurbishment will be put on hold to allow specialists to remove the hazardous substance.
It could leave the FAI and the IRFU facing four years without a venue for home international matches.
It was doubtful before with planning hold ups but with this situation will it happen at all?

mike65

The IRFU have denied there is a major problem with asbestos. But either way the project will proberly be late and over-budget. Where are the matches being held in the meantime? And what about the rugby?

Mike.

eirebhoy

IRFU insists asbestos poses 'no issue' in Lansdowne redevlopment

The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) has insisted there will be no risk to residents - and no delay to redevelopment work - due to the presence of asbestos in the West Stand at Lansdowne Road.

A report in today's Sunday Tribune said the completion of the €250m stadium refurbishment would be put on hold to allow specialists to remove the asbestos.

But IRFU boss Philip Brownedismissed this, saying: "The West Stand, in keeping with most development work in Ireland of this nature in the 1950s, does contain corrugated asbestos sheeting and it will be professionally dismantled and safely removed in line with normal Health and Safety regulations.

"Residents in the area need have no concerns, nor will there be disruption to the re-development timetable."

The project is due to be complete by late 2008.

thejollyrodger

The project is due to be complete by late 2008.

Another example of paddy planning. 2006/7 is about right.... 2009 is way too long:( It only takes a year to build the thing, the rest is a big hot air discussion

smemon

just get rid of the whole lot of them, the government, fai and anyone else that gets involved.

this country is a joke and the people that run it are clowns. nobody can handle any responsibility or money.

get away from the rugby and government links and just build an irish soccer stadium, none of this sharing nonsense that involves discussions and 3 says.

why dont the fai just build their own stadium????????? it would secure our future and we'd be independent. cost doesnt matter as it will pay for itself over time, its about time the fai cop that on.

eirebhoy

thejollyrodger wrote:

Another example of paddy planning. 2006/7 is about right.... 2009 is way too long:( It only takes a year to build the thing, the rest is a big hot air discussion

A year to knock down the existing stadium (since it contains asbestos it will have to be done bit by bit), clean up, put down the foundation and build a new one? You're having a laugh.

jesus_thats_gre

Just build a brand new stadium on a green field site outside the city.. Driving home along the M1 today, the amount of fields with easy access to the motorway that would suit a development like this is amazing.. Everytime there is a big match in either Lansdowne or Croke park, that part of the city literally grinds to a halt and all we hear in endless complaining from the local residents..

The fact that a consortium identified that part of North County Dublin as being the perfect place for a theme park suggests that it is more than able to cope a 50,000 seater stadium.. Even build it close enough to the airport and consider extending the propsed Metro to be its final stop during events.. Nothing I have posted has been thought about for more than 30 seconds but some of it does make sense.. Why did Bertie want to build his complex in Abbotstown near an already conjested part of the city when there is plenty of suitable sites on the fringes of the County.

jesus_thats_gre

smemon wrote:

why dont the fai just build their own stadium????????? it would secure our future and we'd be independent. cost doesnt matter as it will pay for itself over time, its about time the fai cop that on.

I believe its a little more difficult to get funding for a 300 odd million euro stadium... Maybe I am crazy though :eek:

mike65

Has everyone forgot Eircom Park already, Brendan Mentons dream of a
50,000 seater for about 70 million olde pounds? Look what happened to that.

http://archives.tcm.ie/businesspost/2001/03/11/story297799.asp

Mike.

Dewey

Instead of the goverment backing Eircom Park and putting money into it, they go against the FAI for Abbotstown which the goverment couldnt even do. Its sad to see the country doesnt even have one fit stadium for Football and Rugby.

I would love to of seen Eircom Park but thats dead in the water and i HOPE the revamp Lansdowne will be finshed for 2008.

Guy:Incognito

Why should the government give them money for anything, they want to be independant and do their own thing except when they need a few quid.

thejollyrodger

A year to knock down the existing stadium (since it contains asbestos it will have to be done bit by bit), clean up, put down the foundation and build a new one? You're having a laugh.

Give me 1 bulldozer, a few stickes of plastic explosive and the place will be raised to the ground in 1 day. Give me another month and a proper company and the place will be cleaned up. 11-18 months to build a 50,000 seater stadium

ozt9vdujny3srf

This whole ridiculous situation can be solved by one thing anyway - Croke Park.

The Government should threaten to withdraw funding to the GAA unless they release Croke Park for use by the IRFU and FAI.

Washout

Elise Repulsive Alternator wrote:

This whole ridiculous situation can be solved by one thing anyway - Croke Park.

The Government should threaten to withdraw funding to the GAA unless they release Croke Park for use by the IRFU and FAI.

I: doubt that the government can start threatening the GAA over funding as the GAA should soon be a well oiled self sustaining body. Just look at how much t hey are charging for tickets for the all ireland final. 60 euro a pop thats a 10 euro hike from last years.

For an amateur sport where the players dont get paid they sure are gonna make a mint. thats a discussion for another board on another day though.

with regards to the current situation of the FAI and IRFU not having a home...where exactly are they gonna play home internationals?

Big Ears

Stekelly wrote:

Why should the government give them money for anything, they want to be independant and do their own thing except when they need a few quid.

they're looking for money to help become independent .
ie.government give FAI money , they build a stadium , now they have they're own revenue all to themselves .

Imposter

Elise Repulsive Alternator wrote:

This whole ridiculous situation can be solved by one thing anyway - Croke Park.

The Government should threaten to withdraw funding to the GAA unless they release Croke Park for use by the IRFU and FAI.

Can you provide links to any of this supposed funding they receive from the government?

A green field site causes other problems to a stadium in a city/town such as not having facilities such as pubs, restaurants etc nearby.

PHB

How about they don't give any money to a selfish body who will build their own stadium and are petty abotu it.
They made the mistake with the GAA, why make it again?
If they want to build a stadium, build it for all sports

LFCFan

look at the likes of Portugal and Greece. 2 countries that on paper would be considered below Ireland in Economic terms and yet both of them have managed to build what was needed for Euro 2004 and now the Olympics. Ireland can't even manage to build 1 poxy stadium. When it comes to planning, Ireland has to be one of the worst countries in the world. Way too much red tape and bickering. Even Croke Park, as magnificent as it is has taken more than a decade to be redeveloped and it's still not finished. Eircom Park had sold actual season tickets before any ground was broken and then Bertie stuck his oar in because of the Bertie Bowl and then that never happened. A piss up, organise and in a brewry come to mind with the all important word, COULDN'T!!!!!

cournioni

Elise Repulsive Alternator wrote:

This whole ridiculous situation can be solved by one thing anyway - Croke Park.

The Government should threaten to withdraw funding to the GAA unless they release Croke Park for use by the IRFU and FAI.

That is one of the stupidest ideas ever. Why the hell should the GAA have to let the IRFU or the FAI use their stadium? That's right its their stadium. Therefore they should have the right to let whoever they want in and keep whoever they want out.

The FAI have never actually formally approached the GAA about using Croke Park. What did they do? They went to the press about it. Great idea lads, try to make the GAA look bad and you'll definately get playing in Croke Park. :rolleyes:

leeroybrown

LFCfan wrote:

look at the likes of Portugal and Greece

Legitimate misgivings about the organisation of any major capital expendture in this country aside:

Portugal has a considerably larger population, more than one large city and a relatively good soccer league capible of sustaining teams with the 30,000 seat minimum requirement up to 50,000+ in some cases.

Greece running the Olympics is somewhat of a miracle. The only reason they were ever given it is the obvious historical significance. They have a population of approx 11 million and will probably be paying for this one off event for the next twenty years. It's knocked their budget deficit completely out of control despite the enormous financial assistance they have also recieved.

One other factor to bear in mind is that being below Ireland in economic terms has some very distinct advantages when it comes to building major projects - everything costs a lot less.

StickyMcGinty

Stekelly wrote:

Why should the government give them money for anything, they want to be independant and do their own thing except when they need a few quid.

the GAA are independent, and they've been milking the state for all its worth! :rolleyes:

its OUR tax money, we just want it to be spent on something that'll actually benifit us, not the spike, not the time in the slime, not any other crap that the government waste money on.

fat mary harney is the biggest opposer to the national stadium is she not, why not write to her??

leeroybrown

PORNAPSTER wrote:

That is one of the stupidest ideas ever. Why the hell should the GAA have to let the IRFU or the FAI use their stadium? That's right its their stadium. Therefore they should have the right to let whoever they want in and keep whoever they want out.

While, at times, I'm not a fan of the GAA I definitely agree. It is their stadium and the fact that taxpayers money was given to the project in no way gives the Government the right to retro-actively attempt to impose conditions. Common sense dictates that having an enormous stadium for what is for the most part a summer sport, lying idle for much of the year during peak season for other sports is not ideal, but it doesn't mean that the GAA should be forced to accomodate.

Personally, I think that ideally the FAI and IRFU need a seperate stadium as trying to accomodate everything in the one stadium (Croke Park) can only lead to problems.

kilkennycat2004

Elise Repulsive Alternator wrote:

This whole ridiculous situation can be solved by one thing anyway - Croke Park.The Government should threaten to withdraw funding to the GAA unless they release Croke Park for use by the IRFU and FAI.

The stadium mess has nothing to do with the GAA.
FAI incompetence thats all. Eircom park was ideal.
Imagine it full for the Shels/Deportivo game last week.
Have been to the Amsterdam arena & Eircom park was based on that wonderful stadium.

por

Washout wrote:

Just look at how much t hey are charging for tickets for the all ireland final. 60 euro a pop thats a 10 euro hike from last years.
For an amateur sport where the players dont get paid they sure are gonna make a mint

Yea greedy B*****ds the GAA, not paying the players, and all they are going to do with the 'mint' they are going to earn is put it back into local clubs and communities and give kids the chance to play sports.....you’re right this is not the place for the inevitable GAA bashing.

kilkennycat2004

Washout wrote:

I: doubt that the government can start threatening the GAA over funding as the GAA should soon be a well oiled self sustaining body. Just look at how much t hey are charging for tickets for the all ireland final. 60 euro a pop thats a 10 euro hike from last years.QUOTE]

Different issue to the thread but for what its worth I feel 60 euro is acceptable for a one off occasion like an All Ireland final in the theatre that is Croke Park.
Tickets for the away end at yesterdays Chelsea/Manu league game was a staggering 55 sterling each. Professional sport yes but a Chelsea home league occasion that happens 19 times a season.
Look at the stadium in Limerick & look at the facilities Munster rugby has.
Case of too many suits in the FAI & IRFU i'd say.

Imposter

VinnyL wrote:

fat mary harney is the biggest opposer to the national stadium is she not, why not write to her??

Nail, Head, Hit.

leeroybrown wrote:

Common sense dictates that having an enormous stadium for what is for the most part a summer sport, lying idle for much of the year during peak season for other sports is not ideal, but it doesn't mean that the GAA should be forced to accomodate.

What you say is true but it doesn't take into account that Soccer is played in September/October as well as possibly also May and June. Rugby is also played around the middle of March when the GAA use the stadium.

As well as that all of this completely ignores the ongoing dispute between the residents and the GAA over the amount of days the stadium is used. Now if the stadium can't be used by the GAA when they want, there is no way they should be letting other organisations (irony of the word noted in the case of the FAI) use the stadium at the expense of the main purpose of the stadium.

LFCFan

leeroybrown wrote:

Legitimate misgivings about the organisation of any major capital expendture in this country aside:

Portugal has a considerably larger population, more than one large city and a relatively good soccer league capible of sustaining teams with the 30,000 seat minimum requirement up to 50,000+ in some cases.

Greece running the Olympics is somewhat of a miracle. The only reason they were ever given it is the obvious historical significance. They have a population of approx 11 million and will probably be paying for this one off event for the next twenty years. It's knocked their budget deficit completely out of control despite the enormous financial assistance they have also recieved.

One other factor to bear in mind is that being below Ireland in economic terms has some very distinct advantages when it comes to building major projects - everything costs a lot less.

It's not about how much money is available. Surely if Landsdowne if going to be redeveloped, the money is there. The problem is the timescale. Everything takes way too long in this country and nearly always goes over budget. The M50, LUAS, Port Tunnel, Kildare Bypass to name but a few.

And on the issue of Croke Park. Why not allow it to be used just while Landsdowne is being redeveloped?? It wouldn't be forever. Why be so bloody petty and small minded about the whole thing. The GAA are full of bigots and are so goddamn hypocritical. They say 'No foreign sports allowed' yet had an American Football game there.

ozt9vdujny3srf

PORNAPSTER wrote:

That is one of the stupidest ideas ever. Why the hell should the GAA have to let the IRFU or the FAI use their stadium? That's right its their stadium. Therefore they should have the right to let whoever they want in and keep whoever they want out.

The FAI have never actually formally approached the GAA about using Croke Park. What did they do? They went to the press about it. Great idea lads, try to make the GAA look bad and you'll definately get playing in Croke Park. :rolleyes:

Why the hell should the Government continue give grants in any shape or form to an organisation thats too pigheaded and backwards to recognise the benefits that go with sharing the stadium with other sports?

leeroybrown wrote:

While, at times, I'm not a fan of the GAA I definitely agree. It is their stadium and the fact that taxpayers money was given to the project in no way gives the Government the right to retro-actively attempt to impose conditions. Common sense dictates that having an enormous stadium for what is for the most part a summer sport, lying idle for much of the year during peak season for other sports is not ideal, but it doesn't mean that the GAA should be forced to accomodate.

I agree with you there, in that i think these condtitions should have been put on the grants when they were given, theres nothing stopping the government refusing any further grants though.

leeroybrown wrote:

Personally, I think that ideally the FAI and IRFU need a seperate stadium as trying to accomodate everything in the one stadium (Croke Park) can only lead to problems.

Which is why the FAI are building a new stadium, the GAA's stubborness is casuing problems here aswell, because now the irish soccer and rugby team have nowhere to play.

por

LFCFan wrote:

And on the issue of Croke Park. Why not allow it to be used just while Landsdowne is being redeveloped?? It wouldn't be forever.

Agree 100%, there are high ranking members off the GAA who would like to see Croke Park open for certain non-GAA sporting events, president Sean Kelly for example, the problem is you have to ally the fears of the rank and file that openeing Croke Park will not be a slippery slope to opening all grounds to all other sports. It's really up to the FAI and IRFU to make contact with the GAA to set the ball rolling. And ather that you have to talk with the residents.

Imposter

Elise Repulsive Alternator wrote:

Why the hell should the Government continue give grants in any shape or form to an organisation thats too pigheaded and backwards to recognise the benefits that go with sharing the stadium with other sports?

I agree with you there, in that i think these condtitions should have been put on the grants when they were given, theres nothing stopping the government refusing any further grants though.

What grants do they continue to give them? They gave them an initial grant for building the stadium and promised another but reneged on it. They are also more than likely going to give the lansdowne project a grant also. The only other monies that I am aware of the GAA receiving for Croke park from the government was a payment to cover the costs of hosting the special olympics there. If you are talking about any general government grants given by the government to the GAA then the same arguments (and more) could be used against giving any money to the FAI and Irish soccer.

What exactly are the benefits that the GAA would receive from sharing the stadium with other sports (soccer and rugby in particular)? Financial is possibly the only one I can think of. But at what expense? They won't be able to hold as many GAA events there which goes against why they built the stadium in the first place.

Which is why the FAI are building a new stadium, the GAA's stubborness is casuing problems here aswell, because now the irish soccer and rugby team have nowhere to play.

Irish Soccer and rugby have not officially asked to play in Croker. As well as that both soccer and rugby are professional set-ups in Ireland (only some soccer clubs but anyways), yet neither of them have a stadium capable of tiding them over for a few years while Lansdowne is being rebuilt. But sure let's blame an amateur association and the government for this. :rolleyes:

kilkennycat2004

Imposter wrote:

Irish Soccer and rugby have not officially asked to play in Croker. As well as that both soccer and rugby are professional set-ups in Ireland (only some soccer clubs but anyways), yet neither of them have a stadium capable of tiding them over for a few years while Lansdowne is being rebuilt. But sure let's blame an amateur association and the government for this. :rolleyes:

Agree with you Imposter. I go to all the games in lansdowne, looking forward to Bulgaria match tomorrow, but the FAI are too busy with financial settlements for men in suits than getting a proper stadium. Another row there a few weeks ago. Case of too many chiefs I'd say.
Until the work starts big scale the GAA should adapt a not an inch policy. Have no doubt that if the FAI & probably also IRFU get a foot inside the door of Croker the development will not proceed based on both organisations track record.

LFCFan

is there anyone here who's not a Staunch GAA supporter and who thinks the GAA should keep Croke Part 100% for themselves and not open it up to other sports? It seems that every time I've had this arguement it's always the hardcore GAA heads that refuse to accept soccer or rugby being played in Croker. Nearly everytime, after much heated arguing, I nearly always hear the same thing 'I don't want an English sport in Croker', or 'can you imagine England playing there', or 'would you want a Union Jack flying over Croker' etc etc etc. When this is the arguement against soccer or rugby being played there, it sickens me. It's no wonder Ireland continues to trail behind other EU contries when we've got such biggoted, old fashioned attitudes. I'd expect it from older generations but it seems the hatred towards all things British is alive and well in our generation. It's the 21st century and if 2 sporting bodies can't work side by side without bickering then what chance have we got!!!

kilkennycat2004

LFCFan wrote:

is there anyone here who's not a Staunch GAA supporter and who thinks the GAA should keep Croke Part 100% for themselves and not open it up to other sports? It's the 21st century and if 2 sporting bodies can't work side by side without bickering then what chance have we got!!!

I think most replies are aimed at the inefficiencies of the FAI & to lesser extent IRFU rather than anti-British.
Based on the last 30 years their is little or nothing to trust the FAI on. Remember milltown flower lodge & eircom park to mention three recent examples.
Get Lansdowne started & come back to us should be the GAA motto. :rolleyes:

LFCFan

kilkennycat2004 wrote:

eircom park

It was my understanding that it's the Governments fault there was no Eircom Park? The FAI were even selling season tickets but Bertie stuck his oar in and said he wanted to build the Bertie Bowl and promised the FAI a part of the action. Eircom Park was then null and void. Is this not the case?

Imposter

LFCFan wrote:

is there anyone here who's not a Staunch GAA supporter and who thinks the GAA should keep Croke Part 100% for themselves and not open it up to other sports? It seems that every time I've had this arguement it's always the hardcore GAA heads that refuse to accept soccer or rugby being played in Croker. Nearly everytime, after much heated arguing, I nearly always hear the same thing 'I don't want an English sport in Croker', or 'can you imagine England playing there', or 'would you want a Union Jack flying over Croker' etc etc etc.

I hope that rant wasn't targeted towards me because at no stage in any thread have I suggested anything about being anti-english etc. I have also never said that I wouldn't like to see soccer being played in Croker. In fact in one thread I actually said it would be scceptable provided it didn't hurt the GAA. But I have also said that it could in no way be a full-time thing as Irish sport needs more than one decent stadium for four unbelieveably popular sports.

Now compare that to what is coming from the "Staunch" soccer supporters and that is pure bigotry against the GAA. There are a number of examples of it in this very thread and if the search function was working I would almost guarantee that you could see it in all the other threads that have dealt with this topic.

kilkennycat2004

LFCFan wrote:

It was my understanding that it's the Governments fault there was no Eircom Park?

Some truth in that story yeah but only some.
I'll ask you a question LFCFan
Based on their track record would you buy a used car from the FAI????

kilkennycat2004

Imposter wrote:

Now compare that to what is coming from the "Staunch" soccer supporters and that is pure bigotry against the GAA. There are a number of examples of it in this very thread and if the search function was working I would almost guarantee that you could see it in all the other threads that have dealt with this topic.

Well said Imposter from a staunch fan of both codes

Big Ears

well every time this Stadium debate comes up , I like to mention that Brendon Mentons book (former General secretary of the FAI) , Behind the Green Door , shows all the cock ups in the FAi from the time he started working there (1994 I think) , and the stadium cock ups(there was a few , well alot) are all in there .

Its a good book to read and dosent seem to biased either .

I big problem with the FAI(well the way it was anyway) was people trying to make money out of FAI projects , pretty much sacrificeing the projects for their own gain .

Personnaly I really don't want to see Ireland soccer team playing in Landsdowne much longer .
I really want our own soccer stadium .(a nice 50,000 all seater would do )

also in the book is the reason why the FAI picked the SKY/TV3 deal over RTÉ .(just thought id mention that as a lot of people were pissed off because of the deal) .

por

LFCFan wrote:

is there anyone here who's not a Staunch GAA supporter and who thinks the GAA should keep Croke Part 100% for themselves and not open it up to other sports? It seems that every time I've had this arguement it's always the hardcore GAA heads that refuse to accept soccer or rugby being played in Croker. Nearly everytime, after much heated arguing, I nearly always hear the same thing 'I don't want an English sport in Croker', or 'can you imagine England playing there', or 'would you want a Union Jack flying over Croker' etc etc etc. When this is the arguement against soccer or rugby being played there, it sickens me. It's no wonder Ireland continues to trail behind other EU contries when we've got such biggoted, old fashioned attitudes. I'd expect it from older generations but it seems the hatred towards all things British is alive and well in our generation. It's the 21st century and if 2 sporting bodies can't work side by side without bickering then what chance have we got!!!

Where in this thread have you seen any ant-British reasons for not opening Croke Park , quote them please. I have no problem with Croke Park being used while Lansdowne is being re-developed or with English teams playing in Croke Park at the time, what I have a problem with is people telling the GAA what to do with their stadium. Let the FAI come to the GAA and discuss the availability of Croke Park.
I doubt the IRFU will even approcah the GAA, when asked in a TV interview about what the IRFU would do while Lansdowne was being developed Philip Browne said 'I am sure one of our sister unions will be willing to accomadate us'.

Big Ears

he didnt say it was in this thread .

LFCFan

Big Ears wrote:

he didnt say it was in this thread .

Thank you Big Ears. I hate when people jump on someones' reply without actually reading it correctly. I was talking about the stadium argument in general. I've heard plenty of anti english comments when this argument pops up. I would consider myself more of a soccer fan than a GAA fan but it doesn't stop me supporting my county and I've been to Croke Park on plenty of occassions. Do you think other countries would have this situation?

I just can't see why a brand spanking new Stadium that lies empty for most of the year being 'rented' to another sport is such a big deal? Seems more like good business sense and is a much better way to earn money then having refs blow for full time when there's a draw on the cards, making sure there's another big payday.

Imposter

LFCFan wrote:

Do you think other countries would have this situation?

No because the governments and the relevant associations put these facilities in place. And not just for the elite athletes.

I just can't see why a brand spanking new Stadium that lies empty for most of the year being 'rented' to another sport is such a big deal? Seems more like good business sense and is a much better way to earn money then having refs blow for full time when there's a draw on the cards, making sure there's another big payday.

There are some within the GAA who don't want it for 'traditional' reasons. There are others who don't want it based on perfectly valid arguments like the ones I've been trying to bring up and as yet noone seems to dissagree that they are relevant. There are other GAA people who want soccer played there once it doesn't harm the GAA in any way. And there are others who want soccer played there and some of these have thought it through and think this, but the majority are listening to the media and/or haven't bothered to think it through for themselves. Then there are the soccer (some quite anti-GAA) fans who think that because a little government money went into building the thing that anyone who feels like they want to should be allowed use it.

With the current disputes with the residents there is no way it makes sense to open it to other sports. The residents don't like Saturday games, so how will they react to midweek games as well? Will the GAA have to find alternative venues for their own events if the residents get their way and impose a quota on the number of events to be held there? If they do will this deprieve the GAA of some money that they could have earned from GAA activities in Croke Park (not to mention the problems this would cause within the association)?

por

LFCFan wrote:

Thank you Big Ears. I hate when people jump on someones' reply without actually reading it correctly. I was talking about the stadium argument in general. I've heard plenty of anti english comments when this argument pops up..

So why bring in the anti- English element in the argumnet when none of the pro-GAA posts in the thread were anti-English.

LFCFan wrote:

I just can't see why a brand spanking new Stadium that lies empty for most of the year being 'rented' to another sport is such a big deal?

The big deal is that the FAI have not even contacted the GAA about 'renting' teh stadum.

LFCFan

por wrote:

So why bring in the anti- English element in the argumnet when none of the pro-GAA posts in the thread were anti-English.

The big deal is that the FAI have not even contacted the GAA about 'renting' teh stadum.

The thread has turned into a Soccer in Croke Park thread and I was bringing up the Anti English thing because in my opinion, this is used too often as a reason for not allowing it.

Also, it doesn't matter whether or not the FAI has approached the GAA about renting the Stadium. This discussion is more about whether they should be allowed if they ever did approach the GAA.

As for the residents? How many of them are there from before Croke Park was built? None! So when they moved in they knew what they were getting into. I'm not saying they don't have a right to privacy etc but they can hardly move next door to a national stadium and then complain about it.

Bateman

The residents can be taken on and beaten, the GAA have played more and more games at Croker in the pasy few years. Nothing to suggest they can't be faced/fcalmed down. :rolleyes:

smemon

the bottom line is soccer is a bigger, better sport yet the dummies in the government plough all their money into a 'pub competition' ie gaelic and the gaa.

soccer is a richer, international game that can pay for itself. croke park is wasted as it is. beacuse its use is for an irish game and irish game only, thats why the gaa have a fantastic stadium and the fai have lansdowne.

the government are insulting soccer, trying to place it 2nd behind gaelic which its not. their too biased when it comes to choosing gaa over fai.

Big Ears

smemon wrote:

the bottom line is soccer is a bigger, better sport yet the dummies in the government plough all their money into a 'pub competition' ie gaelic and the gaa.

soccer is a richer, international game that can pay for itself. croke park is wasted as it is. beacuse its use is for an irish game and irish game only, thats why the gaa have a fantastic stadium and the fai have lansdowne.

the government are insulting soccer, trying to place it 2nd behind gaelic which its not. their too biased when it comes to choosing gaa over fai.

of course they are , its our nationel sports which they want to preserve, just like the language , only they did a much better job .

and GAA is by no means a pub competition . :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :cool:

jesus_thats_gre

Imposter wrote:

No because the governments and the relevant associations put these facilities in place. And not just for the elite athletes.

There are some within the GAA who don't want it for 'traditional' reasons.

What traditional reasons are these. Do they stem from the fact that soccer is seen as a British sport?

The fact that they have allowed the special olympics, american football and concerts to take place in the stadium means they are open to the concept of renting out the stadium. Yet they do not allow it to be used for soccer events... It says it all really...

jesus_thats_gre

The Irish goverment have paid for a large percentage of the renovation work done to Croke Park so far.. This money is taken directly from the public coffers that is filled by tax money.. The goverment should withold the final part of the funding to complete the stand until the GAA agree to do business.

There is no room in this country for backward attitude that many members of the GAA have and it is time they realised that the many intelligent people in this country have stopped hating something purely because it is British.

Big Ears

jesus_thats_gre wrote:

The Irish goverment have paid for a large percentage of the renovation work done to Croke Park so far.. This money is taken directly from the public coffers that is filled by tax money.. The goverment should withold the final part of the funding to complete the stand until the GAA agree to do business.

There is no room in this country for backward attitude that many members of the GAA have and it is time they realised that the many intelligent people in this country have stopped hating something purely because it is British.

in fairness to the government , they are going to give a nationel soccer stadium as big a grant as Croke Park .(thats any government other than the PD's and the Green Party if they're in by themselves which isnt going to happen .)

Töpher

jesus_thats_gre wrote:

The Irish goverment have paid for a large percentage of the renovation work done to Croke Park so far.. This money is taken directly from the public coffers that is filled by tax money.. The goverment should withold the final part of the funding to complete the stand until the GAA agree to do business.

There is no room in this country for backward attitude that many members of the GAA have and it is time they realised that the many intelligent people in this country have stopped hating something purely because it is British.

Maybe they refuse to have telephones and are therefore uncontactable seeing as Alexander Bell was British? Otherwise they'd jsut be hypocrites...