Landsdowne Rd not available if we make the playoffs?

whiskeyman

Just read about this on the back of the Sunday Bus Post.
The play-offs for the 2nd placed teams are over 2 legs on the 12th and 16th of November.
However, the IRFU has the stadium for matches against New Zealand and Australia on those dates.... according to the paper.
However, I just checked and the dates of the matches are the 12th and 19th.
So, we could play the home game on the 16th (I think).
If we go into the playoff and dont get the away leg first, what are our options? (who decides if its home or away first?)
With no deal in Croker (and no floodlights for an evening kickoff), it looks like we may have to go to the UK again (didnt we play in Anfield before?).

Anyone else able to shed any light on this or heard anything else?

Seaneh

Yeah the game will have to be played in england because there is no way we could play on the pitch so soon after a rugby match, also with a rugby match so soon after wards again the IRFU are right to not let the FAI not to use it as the pitch would be in ****e.

whiskeyman

Seaneh wrote:

Yeah the game will have to be played in england.

crazy...
Shame Croker isnt ready.
The paper mentioned Celtic Park as a possibilty.... given that 50k turned up for the Jackie McNamara testimonial then and a full house of 60k could be done easily (thanks for local support..)

Draupnir

We only played in Anfield against the Dutch because that was the venue for the game. It was a one match playoff rather than a two leg home and away job.

The_B_Man

What?!?! ur not serious? that is muck!

i thought the croker deal was done? in theory, if we got the GAAs approval, wud it just be the floodlights stoppin us from playin? and how long would they take to be installed?

dbnavan

I dont think we have ever played a 'home' match in england, Anfield was a nutural venue I dont think it should be an issue, we have played in Dalymount and Tolka before no where near as big, but still in Dublin. I wouldnt even consider playing a home fixture across the pond.

whiskeyman

The_B_Man wrote:

What?!?! ur not serious? that is muck!

I know... just found out this morning myself. Am well annoyed!

The_B_Man wrote:

i thought the croker deal was done? in theory, if we got the GAAs approval, wud it just be the floodlights stoppin us from playin? and how long would they take to be installed?

Croker said they will work toward the "possibility" afaik, but that was for planned redevelopment of Landsdowne Rd in next couple of years... nothing planned like this short notice match.
I just read elsewhere that the GAA are planning floodlights for installation next year to accomadate soccer and rugby matches.

Not a chance of it being held in Dalymount or Tolka, so looks like Celtic Park could be the winner.

dbnavan

whiskeyman wrote:

Not a chance of it being held in Dalymount or Tolka, so looks like Celtic Park could be the winner.

why not we have played friendlies there in recent years, only problem is smaller crowd. thats it. Celtic Park is in scotland ireland would miss out on revenue and many fans couldnt afford 2 'away' trips.

whiskeyman

dbnavan wrote:

why not we have played friendlies there in recent years, only problem is smaller crowd. thats it. Celtic Park is in scotland ireland would miss out on revenue and many fans couldnt afford 2 'away' trips.

When have we played there?
Demand for tickets would force the match to be played in a bigger venue... and across the water is our only option.
I know many fans couldnt afford the 2 trips, but many could and we'd have no problems filling both allocations I'm sure.

dbnavan

we played Wales twice in tolka (Sorry once was thinking of different game), once in the RDS and Morocco in Dalymount was at all 4 (3). All in the 90's. Dalymount was always our home ground before moving to Lansdowne in the and 80's. I know they are not big grounds and crowd size its not great but u'd get more irish going then u would if it was in england or scotland. Plus tolka is ok for shels in europe.

whiskeyman

dbnavan wrote:

we played Wales twice in tolka, once in the RDS and Morocco in Dalymount was at all 4. All in the 90's. Dalymount was always our home ground before moving to Lansdowne in the and 80's. I know they are not big grounds and crowd size its not great but u'd get more irish going then u would if it was in england or scotland.

Ok.... but were they just friendlies?
I know Dalymount was our home ground before, but that doest mean we'll go back there. The International team is a different setup now.
just after checking though that Landsdowne may well be used, but only for 22k - they wouldnt have the bucket seats installed in time.
I'd say they'll probably use this option.... not sure how it'll affect the block-bookers though.

jubbly

what about playing the match in winsor park ? it would be available and is just up the motorway from dublin !

Seaneh

Croke Park is only available for use while landsdown Road is being redeveloped, so that rules out the play offs of we get that far.
the game will almost certainly be played in England Scottland or wales, the demand for tickets will force it, not only from irish fans but from away fans aswell.
that and the fact that tolka and dalymount are about 25 year behing safty standards.

Seaneh

jubbly wrote:

what about playing the match in winsor park ? it would be available and is just up the motorway from dublin !

hahahaha... yeah...

whiskeyman

jubbly wrote:

what about playing the match in winsor park ? it would be available and is just up the motorway from dublin !

lol!
I just read this on another forum.
Apparently, we could still face England in the playoffs.... perhaps we may get some support then?

dbnavan

jubbly wrote:

what about playing the match in winsor park ? it would be available and is just up the motorway from dublin !

It's an option I wouldnt have a problem with it, unionists might.

jubbly

someone suggested it to me... it wouldnt be too bad if all the tickets were sold in dublin and we got a PSNI escort from the border. Nice to win there and remind the loyalists that were going to the WC.

Brings back the good old days, remember '94 (and roy even celebrated with a few beers getting off the bus)

dbnavan

Seaneh wrote:

that and the fact that tolka and dalymount are about 25 year behing safty standards.

Uefa have passed both grounds for the Uefa cup, so why not internationals, both bigger then stadiums some of the Eastern block countries play in. Ticket demands will exsist even if u play it on croke park and that holds 80,000 so that shouldnt be an issue

PHB

I think the best option is in Cardiff in the milenium stadium.
easy access and huge

dbnavan

so PHB you can afford to go to the middle of europe and to cardiff twice in a week? Can I have you job?

Seaneh

PHB wrote:

I think the best option is in Cardiff in the milenium stadium.
easy access and huge

I agree totally.
It's fairly easy to fly there that morning and back that night for less than 100 euros.

jubbly

dbnavan wrote:

Uefa have passed both grounds for the Uefa cup, so why not internationals, both bigger then stadiums some of the Eastern block countries play in. Ticket demands will exsist even if u play it on croke park and that holds 80,000 so that shouldnt be an issue

I think there are different levels of licence given out. I know for the Champions League the requirements arent as strict in the qualifying rounds, i think there are different levels for the group stages and then for the latter stages.

Guy:Incognito

jubbly wrote:

I think there are different levels of licence given out. I know for the Champions League the requirements arent as strict in the qualifying rounds, i think there are different levels for the group stages and then for the latter stages.

I the fc thun might have a problem. On the champions league magazine show during the week their pitch is under 5 feet of water. I dont care how good the facilities are, thats not getting passed.


Cardiff would be best option, though personally Anfield would be nice.

A Dub in Glasgo

Celtic Park would be the best option. Local to me and I have tons of space to let people stay. There would be a full house no problem

A Dub in Glasgo

Seaneh wrote:

It's fairly easy to fly there that morning and back that night for less than 100 euros.

lol, you have not have the privilege of experiencing the huge increase in flight prices the minute a massive game is announced.

PHB

No, I could only afford to go to one.
But I couldn't probably have afforded the away trip in the first place.
Cardiff isn't the ideal place, but its the best we can get

por

If beat Cyprus and the Swiss then we can worry about this situation.
First we have to beat Cyprus and the Swiss then we can worry about this situation.
Here are the options

If we get drawn in the home leg first (the 12th) they we will have to swap cos the rugby match is on that day. I don’t know if our opposition or UEFA will allow that.

If we get drawn in the home leg second (the 16th) then we can either play it at Lansdowne minus the bucket seats (I hear something like 27K would be the capacity) or move it to a UK venue.

Tolka or Dalymount would be a worse option that a bucket free Lansdowne if you ask me. They have not played international games of any sort there for well over 10 years and UEFA regulations have changed a great deal since then.
As for the state of the pitch after a rugby match, well they have played in that situation before so I don’t think it would be much of an issue, the grounds staff will have to put in a bit extra work that’s all.
Croke Park is not an option because it will only be available for use during the Lansdowne re-development. The fact that it does not have light installed has noting to do with it, the game can be played during the day.

I reckon that if it comes down to it they will try a swap if playing at home first and then go with bucket free Lansdowne for the 16th.

Guy:Incognito

por wrote:

If beat Cyprus and the Swiss then we can worry about this situation.
First we have to beat Cyprus and the Swiss then we can worry about this situation.
Here are the options

If we get drawn in the home leg first (the 12th) they we will have to swap cos the rugby match is on that day. I don’t know if our opposition or UEFA will allow that.

If we get drawn in the home leg second (the 16th) then we can either play it at Lansdowne minus the bucket seats (I hear something like 27K would be the capacity) or move it to a UK venue.

Tolka or Dalymount would be a worse option that a bucket free Lansdowne if you ask me. They have not played international games of any sort there for well over 10 years and UEFA regulations have changed a great deal since then.
As for the state of the pitch after a rugby match, well they have played in that situation before so I don’t think it would be much of an issue, the grounds staff will have to put in a bit extra work that’s all.
Croke Park is not an option because it will only be available for use during the Lansdowne re-development. The fact that it does not have light installed has noting to do with it, the game can be played during the day.

I reckon that if it comes down to it they will try a swap if playing at home first and then go with bucket free Lansdowne for the 16th.

Its not so muh the fact that theres a mach on the weekend before but the fact that theres one on the weekend after aswell. Three matches in seven days is a lot for the pitch to take.

por wrote:

Croke Park is not an option because it will only be available for use during the Lansdowne re-development. The fact that it does not have light installed has noting to do with it, the game can be played during the day..

Not if its on a wednesday it cant.

por

Stekelly wrote:

Not if its on a wednesday it cant.

In the highly, highly unlikely case that Croke Park would be availabe there would be no problem having a game on a Wednesday afternoon.

Prior to lights going into Lansdowne in c1994 all internationals were played on Wednesday afternoons (Saturday internationals are relatively new)

there is no requirement from UEFA for lights either.

-oRnein9-

OMG I can't believe that we would have to play a home international fixture abroad in the event that we make the playoff's. If the GAA have decided that international soccer and rugby games can be played at Croke Park while Landsdown is being redeveloped why couldn't we play a once off play off match in Croke Park befor the redevelopment has started????????????????? I mean its not as if it would be in use on the day and how ****ing long could it take to put up flood lights they farted up the enormous U2 stage, and the prospect of playing a home game in england, scotland, wales or NI is not an option in my opinion. FFS open up the Stadium to the National Team if needed!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rant over and out!

Bluetonic

por wrote:

In the highly, highly unlikely case that Croke Park would be availabe there would be no problem having a game on a Wednesday afternoon.

Prior to lights going into Lansdowne in c1994 all internationals were played on Wednesday afternoons (Saturday internationals are relatively new)

there is no requirement from UEFA for lights either.

I'd say the Gardai would object to the match being played on a Wednesday afternoon in Croker.

Your looking at a 13:30/14:00 kick off at the latest becasue there would be a need to cater for extra time if necessary.

The traffic management would turn the whole area into a no go zone for cars. It was bad enough for U2 but the restrictions only came into place in the early evening. For this you'd be looking at closing off a large part of the North City Center for a full half day.

Also on a dull day in November it can be very dull by 15:00.

whiskeyman

Bluetonic wrote:

I'd say the Gardai would object to the match being played on a Wednesday afternoon in Croker.

.....

Also on a dull day in November it can be very dull by 15:00.

Here's another reason why it wouldnt happen.... TV ratings would be low.
Cant have that.
If the French can affect when we play our home matches, you can see the power the TV audience has.

Vokes

But have the GAA and FAI even talked to each other yet ?

I thought that all that had happened so far was that the GAA changed a rule, and that is all, no contact, nothing.

The Rooster

-oRnein9- wrote:

OMG I can't believe that we would have to play a home international fixture abroad in the event that we make the playoff's. If the GAA have decided that international soccer and rugby games can be played at Croke Park while Landsdown is being redeveloped why couldn't we play a once off play off match in Croke Park befor the redevelopment has started????????????????? I mean its not as if it would be in use on the day and how ****ing long could it take to put up flood lights they farted up the enormous U2 stage, and the prospect of playing a home game in england, scotland, wales or NI is not an option in my opinion. FFS open up the Stadium to the National Team if needed!!!!!!!!!!!!

Damn right its those bashtads in the GAA's fault that the FAI have no stadium and that those inconsiderate fookers in the IRFU decided to play games in their own stadium at a time when its desperately needed by the "National Team" :mad:

Although as Sofa King said, maybe we should hold off on the vilification until the FAI actually asks the GAA

Its goina be some fun if we do beat Cyprus and Swiss in our last 2 games and end up second (although given that we havent beaten the swiss in our 3 recent games against them, we shouldnt be overly optimistic).

Will the FAI actually ask the GAA, for once? Or will they continue with their BS attitude that they should wait for an offer

One of the weaknesses of the GAA is a very large, complicated, antiquated, rule book. They have to stick to it, and it is difficult to change it - practically impossible at short notice. The rule book will not allow the playing of soccer in Croker unless Lansdowne is in re-development. It'll be a "fun" situation if they do get a request.

To give the GAA any chance of providing a positive response to any question, discussions should be under way already. But no doubt the FAI are, as usual, sitting on their hands hoping the mess goes away or someone cleans it up for them.

And of course if we do have to play our home game in the UK, you'll have a lot more people here saying its the fault of the GAA rather than the FAI. :rolleyes:

jubbly

SofaKing wrote:

But have the GAA and FAI even talked to each other yet ?

I thought that all that had happened so far was that the GAA changed a rule, and that is all, no contact, nothing.

Offically they dont meet but there is unoffical discussion going on all the time.

whiskeyman

The Rooster wrote:

Damn right its those bashtads in the GAA's fault that the FAI have no stadium

I'd say it's more the FAIs fault to be honest....

applehunter

Play it in Windsor Park

Bluetonic

applehunter wrote:

Play it in Windsor Park

Can you suggest a place to park my 05 D car? :rolleyes: