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Gaelic grounds development

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Replying To LemonySnickett: "why is it unfair? most county boards have sub committees charged with nothing else but fundraising I would rather they did a bit of fundraising than charged parents in to watch u8s blitzes in Darver! How come each club in the county can raise the best part of 100k odd, the figure quoted as being needed to run a club by our County Treasurer, themselves for the year through fundraising and the county board can't raise anything close to this? If they got a county wide flag day once a year and had county players and development squad players and mentors to collect I am sure they would raise 10k in a day easily." It's unfair because as you said most counties have fundraising sub committees but we don't even have anyone running for assistant treasurer in the last few years. I think it's unfair to blame the guys who are already in and fulfilling roles for jobs that other people should be stepping up to do. The county board seem to be already at the stage of having to beg lads to lend a hand just to fulfil the basic functions of the county like running competitions and teams. It's volunteers that made this association great in the first place and to me it seems to be what is needed in Louth right now. Flag day sounds great and I agree would make 10k easy. WheresDeBallBag (Louth) - Posts: 458 - 12/01/2018 10:23:38 2067923 Link
Oh Man how embarassing was that last sun. Our northern neighbours coming from pairc esler into that bog hole we have to play in. If we need to know why we lost that game, it was partly because the team were coming off training ion the firm surfaces in darver onto that quicksand surface in drogheda. We are waiting on a meeting with all parties according to the chairman for the last two years. that line is beginning to wear a bit thin.it is galling to think we will be meeting the connacht champions in this dump and our neighbours on the souhtside on paddys weekend. at least they know its a bog anyway. Is there anyone in this county who will drive the county grounds issue ahead? Bluebod (Louth) - Posts: 89 - 30/01/2018 16:59:45 2072480 Link
Replying To Bluebod: "Oh Man how embarassing was that last sun. Our northern neighbours coming from pairc esler into that bog hole we have to play in. If we need to know why we lost that game, it was partly because the team were coming off training ion the firm surfaces in darver onto that quicksand surface in drogheda. We are waiting on a meeting with all parties according to the chairman for the last two years. that line is beginning to wear a bit thin.it is galling to think we will be meeting the connacht champions in this dump and our neighbours on the souhtside on paddys weekend. at least they know its a bog anyway. Is there anyone in this county who will drive the county grounds issue ahead?" It's quite simple, County Boards over the last 30 years have made no progress as they haven't had the courage to force the issue with Croke Park. It's never going to progress in Drogheda as the O Raghallaighs have significant access and usage rights to the pitch under their lease. Rights that aren't acceptable to the money men in Croke Park. The County Board continue to pursue this dead end rather than looking for sufficient money from Croke Park to develop a greenfield site which is the only option. Fact, Drogheda will never happen, but my god it's been a great excuse for the last 30 years to say the club are the problem. Drogexile (Louth) - Posts: 79 - 30/01/2018 17:50:27 2072500 Link
Supporters hate it, Players hate it. I'm resigned to us never having a home ground of the standard that is required. I don't think its too much to ask for better facilities for fans and players. A better pitch and some shelter would be a start. AC (None) - Posts: 318 - 31/01/2018 07:38:33 2072670 Link
Replying To Drogexile: "It's quite simple, County Boards over the last 30 years have made no progress as they haven't had the courage to force the issue with Croke Park. It's never going to progress in Drogheda as the O Raghallaighs have significant access and usage rights to the pitch under their lease. Rights that aren't acceptable to the money men in Croke Park. The County Board continue to pursue this dead end rather than looking for sufficient money from Croke Park to develop a greenfield site which is the only option. Fact, Drogheda will never happen, but my god it's been a great excuse for the last 30 years to say the club are the problem." Agree that it is unfair to blame the O'Raghaillaighs. Also agree that a new Greenfield site is needed. It is embarassing playing big games including all county senior finals on the pitch because unfortunately the playing surface is well below par. This is not to criticise groundspeople but it is just a reality that the ground has very little give in it even in summer months. Maybe the soil is the issue (who knows im not an expert). A huge opportunity was let slip with DKIT a few years ago and basically the issue has been more or less parked ever since. breakingball22 (Louth) - Posts: 419 - 31/01/2018 12:39:32 2072751 Link
Replying To breakingball22: "Agree that it is unfair to blame the O'Raghaillaighs. Also agree that a new Greenfield site is needed. It is embarassing playing big games including all county senior finals on the pitch because unfortunately the playing surface is well below par. This is not to criticise groundspeople but it is just a reality that the ground has very little give in it even in summer months. Maybe the soil is the issue (who knows im not an expert). A huge opportunity was let slip with DKIT a few years ago and basically the issue has been more or less parked ever since." Is the DKIT option dead in the water? It couldn't be any more dead than the redevelopment of the Gaelic Grounds appears to be. Sawyer (Louth) - Posts: 269 - 31/01/2018 13:32:58 2072773 Link
Replying To Sawyer: "Is the DKIT option dead in the water? It couldn't be any more dead than the redevelopment of the Gaelic Grounds appears to be." Not sure but they have plans to build an athletics track I think! breakingball22 (Louth) - Posts: 419 - 31/01/2018 14:57:02 2072807 Link
The GAA will only fund a development if the property is vested in the organisation. This is the same for any club or county that wants central funding. In the past this has caused hold ups with the Gaelic Grounds but has now been resolved. Because the DKIT site would be owned by the college it would not be eligible for funding from Croke Park and this is the reason the idea never really got off the ground. fast_forward (Louth) - Posts: 45 - 01/02/2018 20:39:37 2073227 Link
Received a piece in the post during the week as regards the lease on the Drogheda grounds.The lease was drawn up by Central council Solicitor John Mc Knight (says he may have played football with Armagh)In attendance at the meeting in the White Horse Hotel Drogheda were Paddy O Flynn and Paddy Buggy outgoing and incoming Presidents of the Gaa,John Downing chairman of Leinster council and a future President of the GAA, Ciaran O Neill financial controller GAA headquarters,Michael Delaney Secretary Leinster council ,Peter Conroy Louth representive Leinster council ,Paddy Kenny chairman and Peader Kearney Secretary of Louth Co.Board.O'Raghaillaighs were represented by Barney Mc Kenna chairman and Jimmy Gillespie secretary.Also involved were AIB West St.manager and deputy manager.Didnt say how long the lease was for.On the face of it the ORaghallaighs negotiators must have been pretty slick.Just back from Breffni Not the pitch maybe the Ref early on in the game.Thoughts on the performance later. elizabeth12 (Louth) - Posts: 21 - 03/02/2018 23:38:08 2073728 Link
Replying To elizabeth12: "Received a piece in the post during the week as regards the lease on the Drogheda grounds.The lease was drawn up by Central council Solicitor John Mc Knight (says he may have played football with Armagh)In attendance at the meeting in the White Horse Hotel Drogheda were Paddy O Flynn and Paddy Buggy outgoing and incoming Presidents of the Gaa,John Downing chairman of Leinster council and a future President of the GAA, Ciaran O Neill financial controller GAA headquarters,Michael Delaney Secretary Leinster council ,Peter Conroy Louth representive Leinster council ,Paddy Kenny chairman and Peader Kearney Secretary of Louth Co.Board.O'Raghaillaighs were represented by Barney Mc Kenna chairman and Jimmy Gillespie secretary.Also involved were AIB West St.manager and deputy manager.Didnt say how long the lease was for.On the face of it the ORaghallaighs negotiators must have been pretty slick.Just back from Breffni Not the pitch maybe the Ref early on in the game.Thoughts on the performance later." Congratulations Miss Marple all relevant parties where present during lease negotiations. I can't believe it. Can you start sending pigeons out to figure out Area 51, Sasquatch, the Lock Ness monster and One-Eyed Willie's treasure. I think you should take the Development Officers role on the County board. With your in depth knowledge of the situation what would be your plan of attack? WheresDeBallBag (Louth) - Posts: 458 - 04/02/2018 00:24:01 2073736 Link
Delete this thread it's embarrassing...they drew up plans for the Grounds to be revamped in the late 70's.... GAAdundalk (Louth) - Posts: 641 - 04/02/2018 13:07:01 2073822 Link
Replying To GAAdundalk: "Delete this thread it's embarrassing...they drew up plans for the Grounds to be revamped in the late 70's...." I agree we're flogging at dead horse. Draw a line under it and move on. WheresDeBallBag (Louth) - Posts: 458 - 04/02/2018 13:31:30 2073829 Link
In the Independent regarding Pairc Tailteann: "Plans are in place to set aside up to €50 million per year for regional sports facilities and Páirc Tailteann has been mentioned as one of the early recipients, along with the RDS and Dalymount Park, because it is deemed 'shovel-ready' or close to the commencement of construction. The Department of Sport are currently setting out criteria for what type of projects would qualify but it is an additional scheme on top of the Sports Capital Programme. Approval from the governing body, in this case, the GAA, would also be required." I have no doubt that the GAA would get behind a viable stadium project in Louth. We could not be anymore ready in terms of our road infrastructure and network. We are in the ideal location for games that the GAA could use the ground for. Look at Portlaoise and the number of games it gets, in part, because it is close to a motorway and not too far from Dublin. Imagine how useful a county ground would be just off the motorway at either Drogheda, Ardee or Dundalk! Not to mention our own interests of having a county ground that is not a complete embarrassment for both spectators and players and all involved to be honest. The time has come for a public meeting or at the very least for clubs to meet aside from the county board, the silence at the top is deafening. LU.ABU (Louth) - Posts: 120 - 05/02/2018 16:31:22 2074355 Link
Replying To LU.ABU: "In the Independent regarding Pairc Tailteann: "Plans are in place to set aside up to €50 million per year for regional sports facilities and Páirc Tailteann has been mentioned as one of the early recipients, along with the RDS and Dalymount Park, because it is deemed 'shovel-ready' or close to the commencement of construction. The Department of Sport are currently setting out criteria for what type of projects would qualify but it is an additional scheme on top of the Sports Capital Programme. Approval from the governing body, in this case, the GAA, would also be required." I have no doubt that the GAA would get behind a viable stadium project in Louth. We could not be anymore ready in terms of our road infrastructure and network. We are in the ideal location for games that the GAA could use the ground for. Look at Portlaoise and the number of games it gets, in part, because it is close to a motorway and not too far from Dublin. Imagine how useful a county ground would be just off the motorway at either Drogheda, Ardee or Dundalk! Not to mention our own interests of having a county ground that is not a complete embarrassment for both spectators and players and all involved to be honest. The time has come for a public meeting or at the very least for clubs to meet aside from the county board, the silence at the top is deafening." I like your enthusiasm but our clubs where asked to put forward nominations for development officer and none came forward. A public meeting might be a bit dramatic. We can hardly give out about the top table doing there jobs when clearly no one is willing to take on the job of driving development. All this false outrage and telling people to have a good hard look at themselves is pointless it has to stop if it really bothers everyone that much pick up the phone and call your delegate to put you forward for development officer tonight at the cb meeting and drive it in from there. WheresDeBallBag (Louth) - Posts: 458 - 05/02/2018 17:57:09 2074390 Link
Greenfield site on the old carnbeg golf course, with hotel facilities and motorway runs along side it , would be perfect setting. just an idea Gicker01 (Louth) - Posts: 80 - 06/02/2018 22:15:29 2074684 Link
There is a certain officer that would Drive the the county grounds project if he was given the chance and that man is back in as v-chair. Give him the job and it would certainly be done. Great drive in him itslouth (Louth) - Posts: 178 - 22/02/2018 07:29:46 2079132 Link
Replying To Gicker01: "Greenfield site on the old carnbeg golf course, with hotel facilities and motorway runs along side it , would be perfect setting. just an idea" The Hotel is open now! You would have to buy the Hotel aswell DundalkGael (Louth) - Posts: 940 - 22/02/2018 11:23:32 2079169 Link
Replying To itslouth: "There is a certain officer that would Drive the the county grounds project if he was given the chance and that man is back in as v-chair. Give him the job and it would certainly be done. Great drive in him" He didn't do it when he was in the chair for five years so what has changed now. Drogexile (Louth) - Posts: 79 - 22/02/2018 13:40:19 2079205 Link
Replying To Drogexile: "He didn't do it when he was in the chair for five years so what has changed now." I thought it was the development officers role not the chair? WheresDeBallBag (Louth) - Posts: 458 - 22/02/2018 16:46:59 2079255 Link
There are dozens of rumours surrounding the gaelic grounds. One of the best rumours doing the rounds is "The Ratts want a full size all weather pitch" as part of the moving deal. The really frustrating part about the rumours is that nobody will out them and confirm them. It would stop alot of nonsense and show the whole county what is actually happening with this project instead of old "its with such and such now we are awaiting such and such". Thats nonsense. Making Darver suitable for a 3000 seater stand would work better. Perhaps purchasing some nearby land for a car park that could host a Christmas Market or even a Circus in the off season. We could play the 1 or 2 big home games a year in Navan when it is revamped (like we always have) but have all the main money making activity in one location, Darver. S.M (Louth) - Posts: 90 - 24/02/2018 13:01:39 2079669 Link