Tallaght : From Zero to zero?

[The Word Is Born]

Hogan Stand (http://hoganstand.com/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=70621)

<h2>Minister leaves Tallaght decision to Council</h2>
04 January 2007

The prospect of Gaelic games being
played at the proposed Tallaght Stadium has increased following an
apparent climbdown by Sports Minister John O’Donoghue.

The
Minister had previously taken a very hard-line stance on the
development, insisting that the GAA would not have access to the
proposed new home of Shamrock Rovers. But a recent statement by the
Kerry native indicates a distinct shift in attitude and leaves it up to
South Dublin County Council ultimately to decide if any other sports
can use it.

“While the stadium is scheduled for completion as a
soccer facility, the Minister would have no objections to South Dublin
County Council, which will manage the facility, sanctioning its use by
other sporting bodies compatible with it remaining available for senior
soccer fixtures,” the statement read.

The Minister’s insistence
that the venue is soccer-only caused local councillors to change the
initial terms of its planning which was for a multi-sport municipal
facility – a decision which local GAA club Thomas Davis are contesting
through the courts by seeking a judicial review.

That is due to be heard in the High Court on March 16 and is holding up the completion of the half-built venue.

Hogan Stand (http://hoganstand.com/Article&#070;orm.aspx?ID=70621)


<H2>Minister leaves Tallaght decision to Council</H2>


04 January 2007

The prospect of Gaelic games being played at the proposed Tallaght Stadium has increased following an apparent climbdown by Sports Minister John O’Donoghue.

The Minister had previously taken a very hard-line stance on the development, insisting that the GAA would not have access to the proposed new home of Shamrock Rovers. But a recent statement by the Kerry native indicates a distinct shift in attitude and leaves it up to South Dublin County Council ultimately to decide if any other sports can use it.

“While the stadium is scheduled for completion as a soccer facility, the Minister would have no objections to South Dublin County Council, which will manage the facility, sanctioning its use by other sporting bodies compatible with it remaining available for senior soccer fixtures,” the statement read.

The Minister’s insistence that the venue is soccer-only caused local councillors to change the initial terms of its planning which was for a multi-sport municipal facility – a decision which local GAA club Thomas Davis are contesting through the courts by seeking a judicial review.

That is due to be heard in the High Court on March 16 and is holding up the completion of the half-built venue.


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First candidate for joke of the year there.


It's been 'half-built' for years (since Rovers ran out of money and Ben Dunne decided against getting involved for a start). Waiting until March 16th is no time at all !

[The Word Is Born]

Still it's a BIG climbdown from Zero;

Indo (http://www.unis&#111;n.ie/sportsdesk/stories.php3?ca=12&amp;si=1742599)


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The FAI and the GAA are on collision course after officialdom at Merrion Square confirmed they will be putting their financial weight behind Shamrock Rovers in the ongoing court case over Tallaght Stadium.


Local GAA club Thomas Davis were in the High Court yesterday and were granted a date of March 16 next to appeal for a judicial review into the decision of South Dublin County Council (SDCC) to make the venue a soccer only facility.


Successful


It has guaranteed a further delay in the project, which has been stalled since last February, and it means Irish soccer's most successful football club will now enter a 20th year without a home.


And in a week where the two sports bodies have been at odds over the Irish soccer's team access to Croke Park for training, this development will only add to the underlying tension.


Sports Minister John O'Donoghue has backed Rovers in their case, consistently maintaining that his department only ever intended to provide funding to the Tallaght site as a soccer facility.


Thomas Davis have been supported by the Dublin County Board in their claims that, as the project is being funded by the government, it should be made available for the GAA as a southside alternative to Parnell Park.


Yet, Shamrock Rovers argue that Thomas Davis are merely interested in delaying proceedings in order to hit the Hoops financially and delay their arrival in Tallaght given the competition between the sports for the hearts and minds of the local community.


In their affidavit to the High Court, the GAA club had expressed concern that "the youth of Tallaght be restricted to a diet of association football." Now the FAI have moved to foot a significant portion of Rovers's legal bill as they feel the issue is important for Irish soccer's future.


It's expected that the GAA will finance the Thomas Davis bill for their court activities, guaranteeing another stand-off between the two associations following the row over accessibility to Croker for training ahead of next year's soccer internationals.


"We want to see Shamrock Rovers playing in the Tallaght Community Stadium and as soon as possible," said FAI chief executive John Delaney.


"This week, the Board of the Association pledged significantly funds to the club in order to aid them in the most practical manner as they continue to pursue their goal." While Shamrock Rovers have not released details of their legal bill to date, it's understood that it is in the region of €48,

[Chief]

Dunno what to make of all this. It is often said that the site at Rathcoole means that the south dublin GAA clubs don't need the Tallaght stadium but there has been a lot of hassle with the council over the development of that site, particularly road access.

[daveirl]

If it doesn't cause delays as the GAA claim then I don't see the issue with letting them in too.

[Point]

Apart from the GAA acting the maggot for the sake of it, the real issue is the size of the pitch. Its primary intention is that this is a soccer sized pitch and if the local GAA can work within that, then why shouldn't Rovers rent it to them.

[Max Headroom]

Why is it that anything the FAI touch inevitably turns to farce?

[Point]

Why is it that anything the FAI touch inevitably turns to farce?


Woah ! Back up a bit there, this one isn't the fault of the FAI.

[scotscor]

Why is it that anything the FAI touch inevitably turns to farce?


Woah ! Back up a bit there, this one isn't the fault of the FAI.

I think it pretty much is related to them, I worked in Tallaght three
years ago and the stadium had been half buit 4 years at that stage.

So the local council say that they will build it and turn it into a municipal stadium - great.

If its a municipal then why not let the GAA in. But Zero and the shams went rabid at the thought

[Point]

Why is it that anything the FAI touch inevitably turns to farce?


Woah ! Back up a bit there, this one isn't the fault of the FAI.



I think it pretty much is related to them, I worked in Tallaght three years ago and the stadium had been half buit 4 years at that stage.
So the local council say that they will build it and turn it into a municipal stadium - great. If its a municipal then why not let the GAA in. But Zero and the shams went rabid at the thought



This is down to the GAA having a go at a competitor. Don't be fooled.

[Old Dog]

Apparantly the partially built stadium isn't wide or long enough to fit a bogball pitch, but that's completely irrelevant when the whirling dervishes get a rush of blood to the head.

[Point]

Shamrock Rovers’ Chairman, Jonathan Roche, welcomed the FAI’s commitment to the Tallaght Stadium project and its funding of the club’s legal fees.

“To have such full and public support of the FAI behind us means that Irish football is united on this issue,” says Roche. “And that support is most welcome. It’s quite clear that there is a concerted effort to prolong the process as much as possible in order to prevent our senior team joining the rest of the club in Tallaght. But it won’t succeed.”

[scotscor]

It wont extend it. There might be an element of badness about some in
the GAA, but in it is a municipal stadium and the GAA dont have a large
ground in the south west of the city. Or even the south of the city. I
think they have a semblance of a point

[Max Headroom]

Why is it that anything the FAI touch inevitably turns to farce?


Woah ! Back up a bit there, this one isn't the fault of the FAI.

Irrespective of the FAI being directly at fault for this one, I find that their name is never far away from bumbling, moronic mismanagement.

[sewa]

Why is it that anything the FAI touch inevitably turns to farce?


Woah ! Back up a bit there, this one isn't the fault of the FAI.




Irrespective of the FAI being directly at fault for this one, I find that their name is never far away from bumbling, moronic mismanagement.



Agreed but the comment applies equally well tothe GAA

[Point]

It wont extend it. There might be an element of badness about some in the GAA, but in it is a municipal stadium and the GAA dont have a large ground in the south west of the city. Or even the south of the city. I think they have a semblance of a point


Amazing we have this yet on the other hand, we are continually told "We built it ourselves, without help from anyone" ! The GAA have built a 55/65,000 capacity ground in the middle of nowhere, yet they can't even build a 6,000 capacity ground in a huge population area like Tallaght without trying to bulls**t their way into a soccer ground !!! They must be right gobdaws out there altogether !

[Point]

Why is it that anything the FAI touch inevitably turns to farce?


Woah ! Back up a bit there, this one isn't the fault of the FAI.




Irrespective of the FAI being directly at fault for this one, I find that their name is never far away from bumbling, moronic mismanagement.



Agreed but the comment applies equally well tothe GAA





A neat way to knock this on the head right now is for the local council to say, right anyone can use it, but since this is a municipal stadium we adhere to the principles on inclusion rather than exclusion. Consequently, any Club wishing to use the ground must make all their grounds available to whoever wants to use them. smileys/lol.gif

[Ballyman]

Point, thats just stupid. It's not a soccer ground. It was being built as a municipal stadium and the GAA, as was their right, requested that it be able to accommodate GAA.


If it was being built by the FAI then fair enough, tell them to F off, but it's not so they have as much right as anyone else to request use of it.


How many times have we heard the argument that Fitzgerald Stadium in killarney is not "owned" by the GAA and that rugby or soccer should be played there?? Well it IS owned by the GAA so neither have a right. If it was municipal would there be an issue?? Not at all.


See the TG4 documentary about the Uefa cup game Galway played on a GAA pitch. Well, actually, it wasn't a GAA pitch but a community pitch that happened to have the local GAA and soccer teams playing on it.


I can't believe, by the way, that you are standing up for the morons that make up the FAI. I have a feeling that it is your blinkered view of the GAA that is the problem here though and not your insatiable grá of Moron FAI!

[Point]

Point, thats just stupid. It's not a soccer ground. It was being built as a municipal stadium and the GAA, as was their right, requested that it be able to accommodate GAA.


If it was being built by the FAI then fair enough, tell them to F off, but it's not so they have as much right as anyone else to request use of it.


How many times have we heard the argument that Fitzgerald Stadium in killarney is not "owned" by the GAA and that rugby or soccer should be played there?? Well it IS owned by the GAA so neither have a right. If it was municipal would there be an issue?? Not at all.


See the TG4 documentary about the Uefa cup game Galway played on a GAA pitch. Well, actually, it wasn't a GAA pitch but a community pitch that happened to have the local GAA and soccer teams playing on it.


I can't believe, by the way, that you are standing up for the morons that make up the FAI. I have a feeling that it is your blinkered view of the GAA that is the problem here though and not your insatiable grá of Moron FAI!





Before you continue embarassing yourself, I suggest you read up on this history of this.


You see what you want to see Ballyman. It is quite obvious from your ignorant and ill-informed post, thatyou have no knowledge of this and are just having a go at me.

[bruffian]

Why is it that anything the FAI touch inevitably turns to farce?


Woah ! Back up a bit there, this one isn't the fault of the FAI.




Irrespective of the FAI being directly at fault for this one, I find that their name is never far away from bumbling, moronic mismanagement.



Agreed but the comment applies equally well tothe GAA








well actually the GAA is quite well managed.if it wasnt,it wouldnt hve facilities in pretty much every parish in the country.as well as nearly a dozen stadiums with a capacity of over 25,000. the fai doesnt have any stadium.


the GAA has always been the best run sporting organisation in the country

[Chief]

Before you continue embarassing yourself, I suggest you read up on this history of this.


You see what you want to see Ballyman. It is quite obvious from your ignorant and ill-informed post, thatyou have no knowledge of this and are just having a go at me.

Exactly what part of the history should he read up on to discontinue embarrassing himself? I'm not having a go at you by the way before you get upset.

[Point]

Before you continue embarassing yourself, I suggest you read up on this history of this.


You see what you want to see Ballyman. It is quite obvious from your ignorant and ill-informed post, thatyou have no knowledge of this and are just having a go at me.




Exactly what part of the history should he read up on to discontinue embarrassing himself? I'm not having a go at you by the way before you get upset.



Can't he talk for himself ?

[Chief]

Well I feel I'm fairly familiar with the situation and I fail to see where he's embarrassing himself. Unless you mean the fact he's putting the blame on the FAI as opposed to the club itself and its previous masters.

[sewa]

The GAA had a monopoly situation where they abused their power to control sports and sports funding in this country. Like Aer Lingus or Telecom Eireann or any of the other state sponsored monopolies they are being dragged kicking and screaming into the new millenium whether they like it or not.

[Ballyman]

Before you continue embarassing yourself, I suggest you read up on this history of this.


You see what you want to see Ballyman. It is quite obvious from your ignorant and ill-informed post, thatyou have no knowledge of this and are just having a go at me.





Exactly what part of the history shouldI read up on to discontinue embarrassing myself?I wasn'thaving a go at you by the way before you get upset. smileys/biggrin.gif

[Ballyman]

The GAA had a monopoly situation where they abused their power to control sports and sports funding in this country. Like Aer Lingus or Telecom Eireann or any of the other state sponsored monopolies they are being dragged kicking and screaming into the new millenium whether they like it or not.


smileys/lol.gifGood one, "kicking and screaming", I like it.smileys/lol.gif

[sewa]

The GAA had a monopoly situation where they abused their power to control sports and sports funding in this country. Like Aer Lingus or Telecom Eireann or any of the other state sponsored monopolies they are being dragged kicking and screaming into the new millenium whether they like it or not.


smileys/lol.gifGood one, "kicking and screaming", I like it.smileys/lol.gif


Had to work in areference to the comprimise rules smileys/wink.gif

[Point]

It was being built as a municipal stadium and the GAA, as was their right, requested that it be able to accommodate GAA.





Minister unhappy with GAA's Tallaght approach
Thursday, 30 March 2006 3:29


Minister O'Donoghue is steadfast in his support of Rovers in Tallaght. "Tallaght Stadium is to be a home to Shamrock Rovers. That was always the intention. If we were to change our plans in mid-stream we'd have to reduce the capacity of the ground if one were to cater for the GAA," he told the Irish Independant.



"Quite frankly we're not in a position to cater for the GAA and that was never the intention. I am disappointed by the attitude of some GAA officials out there.



"We have invested €110million in Croke Park and they deserved it. We've invested 34% of our sports capital funding over the last number of years in Gaelic Games," he added.


"Originally when the Shamrock Rover position came up we made a commitment that the Tallaght ground would be for Shamrock Rovers and probably one other League of Ireland club and we're still committed to that."







The Tallaght club, who have the backing of other southside GAA clubs as well as the Dublin county board and Croke Park, will have their request heard in the High Court. The new stadium, which will be used by Shamrock Rovers, will receive significant State funding to serve its completion and Thomas Davis want the Council’s decision reviewed on the basis that it will greatly increase soccer’s profile and popularity in the area.

In a submission on behalf of the club, the High Court will hear that the “youth of Tallaght will be restricted to a diet of association football” if the decision stands.

Thomas Davis and the other GAA clubs in the area see the new stadium as an ideal venue for championship matches involving southside clubs.






That last highlighted sentence is what this is ALL about.


And as for it being stupid to require all clubs using the new stadium to be similarly open with their own grounds, that is just a reflection on your (and you fellow GAAheads) amorality. Ye must have been raised as completely greedy b'stards.

[neiljung]

See the TG4 documentary about the Uefa cup game Galway played on a GAA pitch. Well, actually, it wasn't a GAA pitch but a community pitch that happened to have the local GAA and soccer teams playing on it.


I can't believe, by the way, that you are standing up for the morons that make up the FAI. I have a feeling that it is your blinkered view of the GAA that is the problem here though and not your insatiable grá of Moron FAI!




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Missed the documentary,why was it moved? Was Terryland flooded or something?

[neiljung]

well actually the GAA is quite well managed.if it wasnt,it wouldnt hve facilities in pretty much every parish in the country.as well as nearly a dozen stadiums with a capacity of over 25,000. the fai doesnt have any stadium.


the GAA has always been the best run sporting organisation in the country




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Yes and their disciplinary system is the envy of the sporting world. My personal fav being Ger Loughnane's ban from the dug out.smileys/lol.gif

[Ballyman]

Firstly, I am not a "GAAhead" as you call it. I am a sports head and I will watch/attendand (if fitness allows)even play anything that involves a ball or some form of movement for the intention of defeating another person/team at something.


I'm not going to get into an argument with you about the GAA as you clearly have some in bred hatred of them for some reason. Thats your own issue that you can sort out yourself.


If this "stadium" and from what I have seen, it doesn't look much like one at the moment, was being built by Shamrock Rovers, their backers or anyone with any affiliation to the FAI of any description then there would be no problem here.


However, it is being builtby South Dublin County Council and the GAA have a right to request that it be built to suit their needs also. They are doing what any competent (very important word here!) organisation would do and that is to try and secure the best infrastructure to promote their games. Whether they succeed or not is another matter.


The FAI are a complete and utter shambles in this country, through generation after generation of incompetent fools running the organisation that now rely on a county council to provide the most famous and successful Irish club ever with a home.


When was the last time a soccer game was played in Twickenham or a Rugby game in Wembley? Where did the FA go when Wembley was out of action?? Another focking country, thats where.


GAA have Croker and Rugby have Landsdowne. Rugby are stuck. GAA offer Croker when asked. All happy?


No, of course not. Plebs like you and others have to find something else to whinge about............... They're charging too much rent..........They won't give us their other grounds.............They're taking our tickets.........whinge, whinge whinge.smileys/c&#111;nfused.gifChange the focking record.


I'm beginning to heat up here now so I'm gonna fock off home rather than upset myself. Have a nice weekend. smileys/mad.gif

[The Word Is Born]

<DIV>Ballyman, the influence of Ladyboyism is strong within you.</DIV>

[Ballyman]

Excuse me?????

[scotscor]

I find myself agreeing with Bruff, Ballyman and Omer in one day. Its not been a good day

[Point]

Firstly, I am not a "GAAhead" as you call it. I am a sports head and I will watch/attendand (if fitness allows)even play anything that involves a ball or some form of movement for the intention of defeating another person/team at something.


I'm not going to get into an argument with you about the GAA as you clearly have some in bred hatred of them for some reason. Thats your own issue that you can sort out yourself.


If this "stadium" and from what I have seen, it doesn't look much like one at the moment, was being built by Shamrock Rovers, their backers or anyone with any affiliation to the FAI of any description then there would be no problem here.


However, it is being builtby South Dublin County Council and the GAA have a right to request that it be built to suit their needs also. They are doing what any competent (very important word here!) organisation would do and that is to try and secure the best infrastructure to promote their games. Whether they succeed or not is another matter.


The FAI are a complete and utter shambles in this country, through generation after generation of incompetent fools running the organisation that now rely on a county council to provide the most famous and successful Irish club ever with a home.


When was the last time a soccer game was played in Twickenham or a Rugby game in Wembley? Where did the FA go when Wembley was out of action?? Another focking country, thats where.


GAA have Croker and Rugby have Landsdowne. Rugby are stuck. GAA offer Croker when asked. All happy?


No, of course not. Plebs like you and others have to find something else to whinge about............... They're charging too much rent..........They won't give us their other grounds.............They're taking our tickets.........whinge, whinge whinge.smileys/c&#111;nfused.gifChange the focking record.


I'm beginning to heat up here now so I'm gonna fock off home rather than upset myself. Have a nice weekend. smileys/mad.gif





Ah ! So because this ground receives Public money it should be open to all then ?


p.s. you've left out the bit about Sporting and Cultural Apartheid, which you would do, wouldn't you ? smileys/wink.gif

[Point]

I find myself agreeing with Bruff, Ballyman and Omer in one day. Its not been a good day


Open your mind and it will set you free Scots smileys/smiley31.gif

[neiljung]

When was the last time a soccer game was played in Twickenham or a Rugby game in Wembley?

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Twas 1999, Scott Gibbs breaking thru the England cover to score.


Still brings a tear to the eye.smileys/biggrin.gif

[neiljung]

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Didn't realise this!!!
As all Welsh supporters will remember it was Chris Wyatt who won the lineout which led to Scott Gibbs' unforgettable try in Wembley '99. Along with being in the first Welsh team in history to defeat the Springboks we feel this qualifies as his finest hour.

[Point]

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Twas 1999, Scott Gibbs breaking thru the England cover to score.


Still brings a tear to the eye.smileys/biggrin.gif





Of course Ballyman neglects to mention that the GAA have played at Wembley Stadium !

[Silent Bob]

When was the last time a soccer game was played in Twickenham or a Rugby game in Wembley? <!-
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Twas 1999, Scott Gibbs breaking thru the England cover to score.


Still brings a tear to the eye.smileys/biggrin.gif





Of course Ballyman neglects to mention that the GAA have played at Wembley Stadium !

My uncle played in the final in 1967, for the "Wembley Cup", and the stadium, then as now, was owned by a private company.

[spinner]

I was at a challenge match between Kerry and Dublin in 1976 in Wembley iirc.


The Dubs wonsmileys/mad.gif


The previous year I had been at a broadcast of the '75 final at the Wembley Arena (or the Empire Pool at it was still called at the time)

[Chief]

@@@@SPAN style="font-style: italic;">Came across this and I thought I'd throw it up. Just to show that the issue of competing sports bodies and council property usage can get messy in other countries too.@@@@/SPAN>

<ul><li style="">@@@@SPAN style="font-size: 14pt;" lang="EN-US">Titanic turf war on
cards as Gold Coast cry foul over AFL<o></o>@@@@/SPAN>[/list]



@@@@SPAN lang="EN-US">Sydney Morning Herald
@@@@/SPAN>

@@@@SPAN lang="EN-US">Glenn Jackson

July 21, 2006<br style="">
<!--><br style="">
<!-[endif]->@@@@/SPAN>



@@@@SPAN lang="EN-US">THE new Gold Coast franchise is facing the
biggest test of its short life, standing to lose $1 million in its first year
in the NRL competition should the AFL succeed with what the league club deems
"deliberate interference".@@@@/SPAN>



At the centre of the latest cross-code spat is Carrara Stadium, the venue
for the Titans' first season next year. The Titans believe Gold Coast Council
has reneged on a promise by refusing to reconfigure the ground in the lead-up
to next season, managing director Michael Searle saying quite fittingly:
"It's turf wars".



Searle believes the AFL is attempting to "run interference",
deliberately sabotaging the fledgling franchise's first season by attempting to
scupper its plans for the reconfiguration.



"It can't be understated," Searle warned. "We're a new
licence with limited resources, up against the might of the AFL's cash cow.



"I can't understate the impact that can have on us."



The AFL announced last week that the Kangaroos would play three premiership
matches on the Gold Coast next season and a total of 10 games up to 2009. They
will play all those matches at Carrara Stadium, which will also host the Titans
until they move to their $100 million ground at Robina, in time for the 2008
season.



The Titans had hoped to have Carrara reconfigured to a rectangular shape
through temporary grandstands. However, the AFL have been lobbying the council
to keep the current oval shape.



Searle sent a letter to Gold Coast Council this week attempting to persuade
it to reconsider, and told the [i]Herald "the AFL are only here
because we're here".



"It's clear the AFL strategy is to run interference, to cause as much
grief to us as they can," Searle said. "It's a significant issue of
concern with us.



"…I'd hate to think the Gold Coast City Council would favour the AFL
over their own team. They'll do so at their peril."



If the ground is not altered to suit the Titans, Searle maintained it would
decrease the capacity of the ground by up to 3000, hurting the club's bottom
line by more than $1 million next year.



"That's three thousand less fans attending our games - three thousand
mums and dads who can't attend our football games next year," Searle said.
"The AFL don't have any problems because they won't be filling the place,
but we'll be busting at the seams.



"That's 36,000 over 12 home games.



"Look, the AFL are playing a smart game, trying to limit our support by
reducing the capacity. Will it threaten our licence? No. But it'll certainly
create some disharmony among the fans.



"It will affect some of our programs, community programs and junior
development. Obviously we're going to have to reduce our budgets to cater for
that. But it's not licence threatening. We have $15 million in the bank. But it
is a blip on the radar."



Gold Coast Mayor Ron Clarke hinted yesterday the council would not be moved
on the stadium front - the ground would be oval, however he insisted temporary
seating would allay Searle's financial concerns.



"We could add 3000 seats without it being rectangular," Clarke
said.



"It's the playing surface we're concerned about. If they can find a way
to hang seats from

[Ballyman]

I find myself agreeing with Bruff, Ballyman and Omer in one day. Its not been a good day


I'm gravely offended. People have agreed with me before!

[sewa]

I find myself agreeing with Bruff, Ballyman and Omer in one day. Its not been a good day


I'm gravely offended. People have agreed with me before!


Yes and it nearly always ended up costing them money smileys/wink.gif