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Tallaght Stadium officially opened
The Tallaght Stadium was officially opened yesterday by Martin Cullen, Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, and Marie Corr, Mayor of South Dublin County.

The stadium opened its doors in March when anchor tenants Shamrock Rovers finally began life in their new surroundings. Currently the stadium has a capacity of 3,300 people. However, construction is underway on a second stand which is set to be finished by the end of the summer. When both stands are complete, the stadium will have the ability to host almost 7,000 spectators. There is also room to develop a third and fourth stand at either goal end, potentially adding another 4,000 seats, taking the capacity to over 10,000 people.

Fran Gavin, Director of the League of Ireland, paid tribute to the Government and South Dublin County Council's vision and determination to finish the project, which had previously been stalled. He also paid tribute to the dedication of Shamrock Rovers supporters, who kept the club alive during two decades of homelessness.

"For years to come, March 13th, 2009, will be remembered as a day of huge significance for Irish football," he said. "It was on that evening that the turnstiles of the Tallaght Stadium opened for the first time, as Shamrock Rovers played host to Sligo Rovers in the League of Ireland Premier Division.

"Who of the crowd that gathered here on that evening will ever forget the roar that went up when the teams took to the field? Who will forget the scenes that followed, as the most successful football club in this country finally opened a new chapter in their wonderful history?

"Football stadiums are not made from bricks and mortar, they are made from dreams and ambitions. Nights such as March 13th, 2009, will help to create the legend of the Tallaght Stadium, as will some of the great moments we have seen since – the scenes here two weeks ago when the Hoops came from 1-0 down to defeat Bohemians in the dying moments will live long in the memory and will help to inspire a new generation of children from Tallaght and beyond to get involved in sport."

Gavin also revealed that the Tallaght Stadium is a potential venue for this season's FAI Ford Cup final.

"With the second stand already under construction and due for completion towards the end of the summer, this stadium is set to develop even further," he said. "Aside from League of Ireland entertainment, the FAI will bring regular football to Tallaght. Already, this stadium has hosted the FAI Umbro Intermediate Cup Final, as well has the first ever international football match to be played in Tallaght when the Irish Under-17s hosted Poland.

"The Tallaght Stadium is one of the venues we are looking at in relation to the FAI Ford Cup final, which will be held in November. To host the final of Irish football’s Blue Riband competition would be an enormous coup for the region and it is a possibility which we are discussing with South Dublin County Council."

Shamrock Rovers chairman Jonathan Roche welcomed the official opening of the stadium and said that the completion of the second stand will see the stadium take further shape.

"This is a big day for everyone involved in the stadium," says Hoops' chairman Jonathan Roche. "Particularly for the SDCC who, as owners, have been extremely supportive as Shamrock Rovers settle into a new life in Tallaght.

"There will be further causes for celebration when the new East Stand is completed towards the end of the summer. Tallaght Stadium is a very exciting development and shows how football clubs and councils can work together for the benefit of the community.

"Given the current economic climate, it’s quite a positive that Shamrock Rovers are also creating employment and educational opportunities in South Dublin, and will bring more than €1million into the local economy during 2009."
 
 
 
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