PauliAlonso wrote:Yes, but most of the games will go to Tallaght, Dalymount and Windsor anyway. That would leave us with three group games at the Brandywell, over a six day period, and the chances are that none of the teams in our chosen group would stay in Derry anyway. The other group games (groups are split between two venues) would probably be held at another NI ground in, or nearer to, Belfast. I expect they'd camp in Belfast and drive to Derry on matchday.
If we wanted to be considered seriously as a host city, and have teams stay here for the 8-10 day duration in order to get the full economic benefit, then we'd need to push the new Finn Park as a potential venue as well and use that as the other group venue. But I think there are still doubts about their final seating capacity, right?
It's exactly this type of occasion that the council and local politicians refused to consider when only approving our half-a-stadium. If the whole thing had been done in one go, then we have a stadium ready for use.
The new Finn Park!?
Lets not get carried away here lads.
But you are 100% correct to point out that no foresight was given to such matters when building only 1/3 of a stand. We're run by total cowboys. Disgraceful that SF and the likes stood up and proclaimed this a World Class facility. Idiots.
Also, we see that Elisha states that:
“I will be writing to both the IFA and FAI seeking clarity about why the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium in Derry does not appear to be included as a potential venue at this stage of the bid,”
Lets hope she is equally willing to share their reply to that important question. It will no doubt highlight the utter farce that was the decision to build out only part of a stand whilst failing to even pay the contractor to dig out the foundations for the remaining sections to ensure a quicker construction if/when the money is made available. instead we opted for the cheapest solution. Disgraceful really.
And whilst i'm on a roll i still think an additional, wrap around stand behind the goals at the Showgrounds end should have been included in the stadium's redevelopment vision. To leave it out was another sign of settling for 2 or 3 rd best. Its not too much to expect a regional City like Derry serving the North West of Ireland to have a stadium of circa 6 to 8k seats.
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Latest is that the plastic pitch rules us out of consideration as its only acceptable for qualifying rounds and not the main event. Given that its 5 years away they should offer to relay it in grass. Even if its just to ruffle a few of those IFA / FAI feathers!
