PROGRESS FOR DALYMOUNT
THE redevelopment of Dalymount Park has moved a step closer after Dublin City Council (DCC) confirmed plans for a new 6,000 all-seater stadium in Phibsborough. Bohemians sold the site to DCC for just shy of €4 million in 2015, and while the club initially sought a 10,000 or 8,000 capacity, a revised arrangement for a UEFA Category 3 arena was reached this week. First Division club Shelbourne will eventually move from their existing home at Tolka Park to become joint-tenants and, once work eventually begins on modernising Dalymount, Bohs will take up temporary residence at the Drumcondra venue. The FAI had hoped that the new Dalymount Park would be completed in time for Euro 2020. As Dublin is one of the host cities, it was thought it could be used as a training base for countries playing their games in the capital. However, the process has been a slow burner and the next vital stage is securing the funding required to turn the first sod on the project. ‘The 6,000-seat UEFA Category 3 stadium will include community facilities, including a library, flexible community space and meeting rooms plus concourse space at ground level which can be utilised for community activities and events,’ the FAI said in a statement. ‘Plans are also underway to create an interactive museum at the stadium, as part of the redevelopment.’ TONIGHT’S GAMES: SSE Airtricity League Premier Division (all 7.45): Cork City v Limerick, Turner’s Cross; St. Patrick’s Athletic v Shamrock Rovers, Richmond Park; Waterford v Dundalk, RSC. SSE Airtricity League Promotion/Relegation Play-Off Series: Drogheda United v Finn Harps, United Park