Dundalk site preferred for new stadium
THE working group tasked with identifying a new home for Louth GAA is close to making a recommendation to the county management committee, with Dundalk the most likely location for a new stadium.
Discussions are ongoing, but it’s believed that a site adjacent to DkIT Sport on the Inner Relief Road is the front-runner.
The land was ear-marked for a joint stadium venture between the GAA and DkIT some years ago, but the project was abandoned in favour of redeveloping the Gaelic Grounds in Drogheda.
However, when that plan was subsequently scrapped earlier this year, the county board set about investigating alternative options and a working group was hand-picked following the last county board meeting in July.
Working independently of the management committee, the group has been assessing various options, including club grounds and greenfield sites, but it’s believed the site, which is sandwiched by DkIT Sport (formerly JJB) and Heinz and backs onto Na Piarsaigh’s grounds, is the preferred option.
The county board is due to meet on September 10th and it promises to be a busy night for club delegates as they are also expected to be asked to ratify new senior football and hurling managers.
Meanwhile, on the club scene, the semi-final line-ups in both the Intermediate and Junior Championships have been finalised following a couple of surprise results in Dowdallshill on Sunday afternoon.
St Mochta’s and Naomh Fionnbarra upset the odds with fully deserved wins over St Bride’s and Cooley Kickhams respectively.
The previous night there were no such shocks as Mattock Rangers and St Fechin’s booked their last-four slots without any fuss.
Mattock proved way too strong for this summer’s surprise packets Oliver Plunketts, and St Fechin’s eventually shook of a gutsy challenge from St Kevin’s to run out comfortable winners.
And last night’s draw in Dowdallshill’s clubrooms produced yet another showdown between Mattock and St Mochta’s. The sides met in the 2016 semi-final and again in last year’s quarter-finals with the Collon outfit prevailing on both occasions.
That means Naomh Fionnbarra and St Fechin’s will battle it out for the other final berth. The Barrs were beaten by last year’s eventual winners O’Connell’s at the same stage last year, while Fechin’s have struggled to make an impact since losing the 2014 final to Sean O’Mahony’s.
The junior semi-finals were also finalised with Roche Emmets set to take on Dundalk Young Irelands and Glyde Rangers pitted against perceived outsiders Lannleire.
The county leagues resume this weekend with the O’Donnell Cup semi-finals and promotion and relegation issues taking centre stage.