DUBLIN GAA REMAIN on the lookout for a new facility in which they can build training pitches and a 25,000 seater stadium after their bid to purchase the Spawell Complex — located between Templeogue and Tallaght — was turned down by NAMA.
The 35-acre property, just off the M50 and which would have been an ideal area to build upon, was under the control of the assets agency and on the market for €6.5 million.
However Dublin GAA learned they had been outbid by another buyer despite offering more than the asking price.
Dublin GAA Chairman Sean Shanley told The42 that, while they had grand designs for the Spawell Complex, they will continue to be on the lookout for other viable locations after their failed attempt at purchasing the grounds.
“That was maybe a possibility, we don’t know whether or not that would have been feasible, that would have been up to planning,” he said when asked about whether building the mooted 25,000 capacity stadium at the Spawell Complex was in their plans.
“We were told our bid wasn’t accepted, that there was a higher bid. We don’t know what we were outbid, we were told that there was a guide price of €7.5 million.”
“It would have been an ideal location for the Southside to have a cluster [of pitches] and they could have got a 25,000 seater stadium, it would be ideal, but you know, there was a lot of question marks over whether we would have got it or not,” he said.
The Dubs are now on the lookout for alternative locations, with the county board hopeful they will have the state-of-the-art training facilities set up by Croke Park in Abbotstown to fall back on next year.
“We’re looking all the time, there’s nothing else sort of on the market that’s suitable at the moment.”
Abbotstown will be coming on stream next year which is the Central Body, Central Council that Croke Park owns, but Dublin would be the main tenants of it we’ll assume.
“We would like to have our own cluster on the Southside, that’s the aim.”
Asked about the chances of a stadium being built in the Abbotstown facility, Shanley said there is none as the facility’s purposes have already been set in stone.
“No that plan has gone through and they’re all only training pitches, I think that’s a done deal.”
“There’ll be a small amount of spectator accommodation in Abottstown, something like one thousand [capacity] or so which would do for club games alright, but it’s mostly a training facility.”
Why do they need a 25,000 seater stadium when they play all of their games in croke park? #Joke
They want one so they don’t have to play all their games in Croke Park
Just thought the exact same thing!!
They need one as Parnell Park is too small and also so as to not have to use Croke Park all the time. People give out because they use Croker all the time but now people are finding fault that they want to their own facilities/stadium and not have to rely on Croker all the time?
Spot on Dave. Personally i think it’s a great idea, would be great to play the league games there and sell it out. Great atmosphere on a Saturday evening
Just a guess Conor, but maybe so they don’t have to play their games in a half empty Croke Park?
I know it’s in a tight residential area but just upgrade Parnell park a bit?
They looked into that, there’s no space unfortunately.
Cause we can
Such a shame. From a selfish point of view, the Spawell would have been a handy venue to get to and from
any idea who went and out bid them?
Leinster county delegates 10 against 1 for (Laois) , fear of losing gates receipts of Croke Park , remember only for the Dublin cash cow most county boards would fold
You can’t beat Parnell Park, I hope the Dubs don’t leave there any time soon.