Is it too late to think before we start redeveloping our three stadiums?

AT the annual Louth GAA convention in Darver last week the long standing itch that is the Gaelic Grounds in Drogheda was once again scratched.

Treasurer Aidan Berrill stated that if the grounds are not closed this time next year for re-development then the County Board executives will have failed in their responsibility.

So there it is the clock is now ticking down to the re-development of the worst county grounds in the country as voted upon earlier this year by members of the Association.

All that is holding back the commencement of works is some legal loose ends and everything else such as a planning permission and finance is in place.

Louth GAA really need a solution to this age old problem which has been ongoing for decades.

However is it really the best solution to re-develop the Gaelic Grounds? Is that the best way forward for sport in the county? Are Oriel Park and United Park not equally as bad and in need of modernisation as the Gaelic Grounds.

Of course we know that soccer cannot be played in a GAA stadium and that a significant number in Dundalk want the county ground in the north of the county and not in Drogheda.

The lease issue at Oriel Park might only just be resolved and we are talking about three different bodies, in Louth GAA, Dundalk FC and Drogheda FC but having three stadiums not fit for purpose in the smallest county in Ireland is not very clever or progressive.

One stadium for Dundalk FC, Louth GAA and Drogheda United FC might not be practical, but surely some thought should go into developing a shared stadium in either town for soccer and GAA with the soccer club in the remaining town going on their own.

United Park and the Gaelic Grounds are next door to each other and HSE are thought to be interested in acquiring United Park for future planning for Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital.

Unfortunately the horse may have already bolted so to speak as there was an option on the table a number of years ago for a partnership between Louth GAA and DkIT which would have seen a new stadium on the campus.

In the next couple of years it is likely that considerable funds will be spent on work in the Gaelic Grounds and Oriel Park. Once that work is commenced that will be it for another couple of generations.

If the vision was there and the willingness there amongst Louth GAA, Dundalk Football Club, DkIT and Louth County Council, there could be potential for a new modern stadium in the town which could offer a new iconic 21st century home for local sport.