Stadium Fiasco Solved
By Ade O`Connor January 27 2004
The Republic of Ireland’s stadium woes may finally come to an end, after the government agreed to a package committing 165 million euros towards the 250 million euros that needs to be raised to build a new national stadium. The FAI and the IRFU will make up the shortfall in money.
By Ade O`Connor January 27 2004
The Republic of Ireland’s stadium woes may finally come to an end, after the government agreed to a package committing 165 million euros towards the 250 million euros that needs to be raised to build a new national stadium. The FAI and the IRFU will make up the shortfall in money.
Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, John O’Donoghue TD, assisted the process by lending his support to the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road into a 50,000 all seater stadium.
The FAI intend to raise almost 42 million euros through advance 10-year-tickets in the new stadium, with 8,000 of the best seats in the ground going on sale before the seats are even chosen; sixty four executive boxes will also be made available early.
Should the proposals now go ahead, as looks likely, Abbotstown will become the home of a National Academy, giving young Irish stars the chance to improve their skills and shine on the World stage.
The new Lansdowne Road is scheduled to be fully redeveloped by 2008 and will become home to football, rugby union and other important sporting events on the Irish calendar.
However, Ireland’s football team still has the pressing issue of persuading FIFA to allow the country a license to hold further games on the temporary seating currently at Lansdowne Road, despite FIFA originally telling Ireland they would need to find a permanent solution in time for the World Cup Qualifiers.
Moves to the impressive Croke Park and Glasgow Celtic’s Parkhead were made impossible, so the FAI need to find a solution to the stadium issue, which some argue has turned into a complete fiasco.
The Republic of Ireland played games at Anfield, Liverpool, when attempting to qualify for the European Championships that were held in England in 1996. This would possibly be the most likely of avenues open, should the FAI fail in it’s bid to persuade FIFA to grant them a match to match license.
The FAI intend to raise almost 42 million euros through advance 10-year-tickets in the new stadium, with 8,000 of the best seats in the ground going on sale before the seats are even chosen; sixty four executive boxes will also be made available early.
Should the proposals now go ahead, as looks likely, Abbotstown will become the home of a National Academy, giving young Irish stars the chance to improve their skills and shine on the World stage.
The new Lansdowne Road is scheduled to be fully redeveloped by 2008 and will become home to football, rugby union and other important sporting events on the Irish calendar.
However, Ireland’s football team still has the pressing issue of persuading FIFA to allow the country a license to hold further games on the temporary seating currently at Lansdowne Road, despite FIFA originally telling Ireland they would need to find a permanent solution in time for the World Cup Qualifiers.
Moves to the impressive Croke Park and Glasgow Celtic’s Parkhead were made impossible, so the FAI need to find a solution to the stadium issue, which some argue has turned into a complete fiasco.
The Republic of Ireland played games at Anfield, Liverpool, when attempting to qualify for the European Championships that were held in England in 1996. This would possibly be the most likely of avenues open, should the FAI fail in it’s bid to persuade FIFA to grant them a match to match license.
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