Interesting article in the local press and letter from college. They dont seem to be happy at the way the situation has been misrepresented locally. Looks like a golden opportunity is going to be lost here and college are going to proceed with regional sports centre without the GAA. Agree with No1, Drogheda continues to be used as a smokescreen to stall progress, club and cb have a lot to answer for.

AutoClan (Louth) - Posts: 86 - 16/03/2011 10:54:16    890010

County Board know the price of everything and the value of nothing.

Greengrass (Louth) - Posts: 6177 - 16/03/2011 12:27:05    890091

AutoClan

Please explain your reasons behind your statement that the club has alot to answer for.

If only the Co Board were honest about how the process over the last 15 years has been carried out, then everyone would know who has alot to answer for.

You can't blame the club for maintaining the grounds, fulfilling the terms of the lease and looking for proper assurances as to their future.

Now is the club to blame?

navanD (Louth) - Posts: 66 - 16/03/2011 13:07:40    890128

Navan D is right, it is not the clubs fault the the County Board, all the people who attend county board meetings and all of the clubs that will be expected to pay for the Upgrade of a CLUB ground continue to ignore the big giant elephants sitting in the corner of the room every time this issue is discussed. On not one occasion over the past two years has a single attendee at a county board meeting asked the key questions regarding ownership and how the club will operate with one pitch that is supposed to be for the county and high profile club competition games.
The Club have a very satisfactory set up currently and if others wish to pay to improve their lot they are dead right.. well done to the club, every other club in the County would take the same aproach. Make no mistake however that the beneficial ownership of that ground will remain with the CLUB...end off story, no amount of fancy drafting or spinning will actually change that reality in the end.
I spoke to a guy close to the DKIT project who thinks that the multi sport element of their proposal is the problem at the counties top table.The old no soccer and no rugby stuff at play there apparently.

waterbottle (Louth) - Posts: 29 - 16/03/2011 14:47:22    890202

I think that the best thing all round is for the County Board to leave the O'Raghallaighs alone. Just give them the keys to the place and tell them that they can keep it. then go a build a county ground where the County Board own the land.

There problem solved and job done. I can't see why it is taking so long to make a decision.

On another point, I rember the County Board saying that Darver was for training only, now they are on about a gounty ground there. The CB don't know what they are at if you ask me.

Anyone else got a problem they need fixing?

teaboy (Louth) - Posts: 61 - 16/03/2011 15:13:22    890218

read the article in local paper - why oh why are we deluding ourselves (sorry, the top table deluding themselves) by thinking darver would make a good location for county ground. get the finger out and get it sorted...

waterbottle - you seem to be in the know!!!!!

no1 (Louth) - Posts: 115 - 16/03/2011 21:03:02    890521

Well lads, I have to say, everyone has contributed to the discussion here and to be honest everyone is sayin the same the thing, new stadium now!
Haven't commented on it because I have not been home in a while, but having read the article in the argus from dkit president, they seem to be firing ahead, which I think is a huge disappointment missed by county board.

Secondly, reading comments and articles made by the county board, it is clear to see they are BROKE! And are simply lookin for a free meal ticket but they are not gettin any change from anyone.

In relation to darver, you cannot say it is not a good idea. Most counties have training centres at this stage and it makes sense if we are to move our games towards a more "professional" set up and not having to borrow facilities off clubs time and again. However, my father did alot of Fundraising for the darver project, under the pretence that it would the county ground. He pulled out of the whole movement years ago because of the " politics" involved, which is sad to hear to be honest.

Planning with hospital and drogheda will be no issue at all. you have floodlights etc on the soccer pitch so that is that problem kicked to touch. Unfortunately, eventually the county grounds will probably end up in drogheda but I think it will cost more in the long run having to relay two new pitches one for theclub and another fir the county, maybe even relocate oraghaillaighs.

sneachta (None) - Posts: 414 - 20/03/2011 11:36:24    891939

To conclude, I don't think it really matters where the facility is as long as it's built properly and cost effectively. The infrastructure is there for all 3 locations but is the will.

I recently played a game of football in mallow county cork. They have four prunty pitches, a fifth with a 5000 seated stand, full size in door all weather pitch, 4 five aside soccer all weathers, gym, restaurant, bar, meeting rooms, many changing rooms, visitors centre, etc AND it is smack bang in the middle of nowhere on a country road over half hour from M8 and another 45 from cork city. The day I was there, I played a match, cork camogie trained, cork u21 huleres trained, cork footballers played Laois in a challenge and mallow camogie played a club match, dr crokes played nemo the following day. My point being darver certainly can be the county grounds but so can the other options if it's done properly. If only the brains in the county board have the will to do it. Here's dreaming of a facility like that.

sneachta (None) - Posts: 414 - 20/03/2011 11:46:22    891950