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Post by buck02 on Sept 6, 2007 12:02:27 GMT
With the recent news that the shareholders of the Ballybeggan Racecourse have agreed to sell the racecourse site to the consortium wishing to buy the John Mitchels/Austin Stack Park site it now appears that a move away from Austin Stack Park to a new 15,000 seater stadium (along with 20,000 square feet of offices) on the Greenfield site at Ballybeggan is not too far away.
Now for the majority of us, young and old, I’m sure that Austin Stack Park holds many great memories and is definitely a special ground. The ground holds a special place in the history of Kerry GAA and indeed in GAA history overall.
I think in latter years especially, the floodlit games have added a new dimension to the place – I for one get as much excitement out of a league game under lights against Cork or Dublin as I do from a big championship game. I know people complain about the state & size of the pitch/lack of terraces behind the goals/parking and access problem and so on but the ground will hold a special place in the hearts of many Kerry GAA fans.
Now heres where I get to my point. Many counties are going down a similar route in selling town centre grounds and moving to Greenfield sites on the edge of the town. I imagine that most of these will be similar in size (15,000 – 20,000 capacity) and many are likely to be built in the next few years. Having observed this phenomenon (on a large scale obviously) with soccer grounds in Britain over the last 10-15 years, many of these new stadia are almost identical in design, with no unique features setting them apart from similar grounds.
Now I for one don’t want to go to the new Stadium in Tralee and then go to the new stadium in Ennis or Mullingar or wherever and see basically the same stadium. I’m calling on the Kerry County Board to incorporate some of the unique features of the old stadium and unique features of Kerry GAA in general (don’t ask me what but I’m sure they can think up of some) into the design of the new stadium. I’m sure the design & planning stage will be coming up quickly enough so if any other fans feel that the new stadium design is something that should warrant a discussion from clubs and supporters perhaps you could post any comments here.
The admin might also make the relevant authorities aware of any ideas if there is any response to this thread. If there isn’t I’ll see ye all in a soul-less “bowl” for a league game in 3 years time!
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Post by austinstacksabu on Sept 6, 2007 12:22:39 GMT
A point well made Buck02, and one I'll fully support.
I hope they will keep the name Austin Stack Park though, and not just because of my club. It would also be nice if some references were made to Ballybeggan racing in the new facilities. It's very sad to see Ballybeggan being sold off in such a manner. I have great memories of my early gambling days there, particularly was it the 1992 or 1993 festival meeting when I backed Aidan O'Brien's horse whenever he had one in a race. Consider back then my bet was $1ew yet I had enough money at the end to buy a top of the range Raleigh Mountain Bike before going back to school!! Thems were the days.
They have wooden seats from the old Hogan Stand over in Austin Stacks Park.....I wonder will they make the trip to the new grounds?
Also, if they could incorporate a design in the main stand whereby you can't see the tunnel from your seat at all, as is currently the case, that would be great.
And finally, if they could bring a few of the lads on the gate over to the grounds it'd be fantastic. Dan: "How many of ye there lads". Supporter: "Seven includen the young fella". Dan: "A tenner'll do the lot of ye there".
Rumour has it the entire Down supporters bus got in for a fiver before the 1994 league game.
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Post by ardfertnarrie on Sept 6, 2007 13:16:14 GMT
A point well made Buck02, and one I'll fully support. I hope they will keep the name Austin Stack Park though, and not just because of my club. It would also be nice if some reference were made to Ballybeggan racing was also made in the new facilities. It's very sad to see Ballybeggan being sold off in such a manner. I have great memories of my early gambling days there, particularly was it the 1992 or 1993 festival meeting when I backed Aidan O'Brien's horse whenever he had one in a race. Consider back then my bet was $1ew yet I had enough money at the end to buy a top of the range Raleigh Mountain Bike before going back to school!! Thems were the days. They have wooden seats from the old Hogan Stand over in Austin Stacks Park.....I wonder will they make the trip to the new grounds? Also, if they could incorporate a design in the main stand whereby you can't see the tunnel from your seat at all, as is currently the case, that would be great. And finally, if they could bring a few of the lads on the gate over to the grounds it'd be fantastic. Dan: "How many of ye there lads". Supporter: "Seven includen the young fella". Dan: "A tenner'll do the lot of ye there". Rumour has it the entire Down supporters bus got in for a fiver before the 1994 league game. ;D They must think I'm the longest Student ever living or that I'm just stupid. Anyhew, I would add my support to the original post. ASP has a special place in my heart and its a shame to see it go, however I'm sure the new stadium will be a great asset to Tralee and the Association.
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Post by austinstacksabu on Sept 6, 2007 13:30:42 GMT
They must think I'm the longest Student ever living. You and Jim McGuinness.
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Post by luxrebel on Sept 6, 2007 15:59:47 GMT
I know it is just a side topic to this thread but isn't it a huge pity to see the race track go in Tralee?? Seem to be very little about it in the news etc, seems as if no-one in Kerry cares about it, I could be wrong as in general I don't listen to Kerry Radio.
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Post by sullyschoice on Sept 6, 2007 16:20:41 GMT
It was after becoming too expensive to run race meetings in ballybeggan and there were only a handful of dates for it anyway. they never really got big crowds compared to the other festivals, so i presume economics have ruled the day.
Is 15,000 not a bit small. Should they go for a 25,000one or would ther eever be a ned. Presumably they intend to keep munster finals in killarney.
Once they dont make a horlicks of the design like Parnell Park. Worst "new" grounds to watch a match in ever.
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Post by Roving Corner Forward on Sept 6, 2007 21:33:42 GMT
I hope they keep the open terraces. The covers in teracces in parnell park look neith like an ass or cart and like they fell between two stools
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Post by kingdomkerry on Sept 6, 2007 22:59:09 GMT
what about a mini millenium stadium. Close the roof for those cold january league games and notch up the heating!
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Piggy
Senior Member
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Post by Piggy on Sept 7, 2007 7:28:07 GMT
any one know what the capacity of Pearse stadium in Galway is?if we manage to build something as good as that we'll be doing very good.
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Post by Walter Mitty on Sept 7, 2007 7:42:10 GMT
In all fairness, there is NO need for a stadium with a capacity of more than 15000 - 17000. Agree with Buck 02's point....have any of ye noticed that nearly every small ground being bulit in the UK all look the same.....same bowl shaped, featureless, heartless ground. Austin Stacks park had soul on those cold March afternoons watching the league games years ago
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Post by austinstacksabu on Sept 7, 2007 8:33:36 GMT
any one know what the capacity of Pearse stadium in Galway is?if we manage to build something as good as that we'll be doing very good. It's 34,000 Piggy.....and considering we already have Fitzgerald Stadium which can take more than a quarter of the entire population of the county, I'm not sure we need another large stadium.
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Post by bob567 on Sept 7, 2007 8:43:09 GMT
15,000 is plenty big enough, as long as it holds the atmosphere like the old one when near capacity. is it going to be an all seater or will it have terrace also, does anyone no??
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animal
Fanatical Member
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Post by animal on Sept 7, 2007 9:08:01 GMT
Agreed 15,000 is plenty big. When was the last time Fitzgerald Stadium was actually full? Not in recent years that's for sure. I for one will welcome a decent new stadium provided it's done right. For all the nostalgia about ASP it did have its flaws.
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Post by Walter Mitty on Sept 7, 2007 9:25:22 GMT
Agreed 15,000 is plenty big. When was the last time Fitzgerald Stadium was actually full? Not in recent years that's for sure. I for one will welcome a decent new stadium provided it's done right. For all the nostalgia about ASP it did have its flaws. For one thing it was colder than waiting for the bus outside the atlantic nightclub in ballyb on a cold october night!
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Piggy
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Post by Piggy on Sept 7, 2007 9:47:37 GMT
haha thats was cold spot alright Walter Mitty.15000 is plenty alright,it will be very good for county championship games.was at Pairc Ui Rinn the last night watching a cork county championship game and there was a good atmosphere there because the stadium isnt too big.
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Post by watchdehop on Sept 7, 2007 12:03:49 GMT
Hopefully the stadium will turn out fine.
I think people should look at the overall picture of what the county board is getting. In return for giving up ASP it is getting a new stadium built which will be hopefully be easier to get in and out of. ITs also getting a state of the art training facility. Thats the real benefit. It will serve all of the county teams and will have all the modern facilities need like treatment rooms floodlighting. That should really stand to kerry in the future.
I thing the County board worked this one well and in years to come it will be a good move for Kerry
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Post by buck02 on Sept 7, 2007 12:23:45 GMT
I'm not saying for a second that the "overall picture" is a problem. Its generally accepted that we need a new state of the art training facility, and this will be provided, as part of this deal, in Currans if my information is correct.
My point is that the stadium is not just "another" stadium, like the ones that are going to be built in Mullingar and Ennis when they sell up their town centre grounds. Dont just let the arcitects/engineers etc. come up with a "generic" Yellow Pack stadium, lets have something unique about it, that Kerry GAA can be proud of.
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Post by bob567 on Sept 7, 2007 14:00:23 GMT
good to hear that there will be a state of the art kerry trainin facility, this has been needed for years and is a big step forward for the county
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Post by islandexile on Sept 7, 2007 14:55:00 GMT
I think that the new stadium should be called "Pairc Liam O hAodha".
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Post by Walter Mitty on Sept 7, 2007 15:05:41 GMT
Anyone know whether there is any talk of selling the naming rights??? We could all chip in a few bob and name it ourselves!
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Post by austinstacksabu on Sept 7, 2007 15:41:39 GMT
Buckabumitty Park!!
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Post by sullyschoice on Sept 7, 2007 22:09:31 GMT
give up the magic mushrooms. or have you been licking toads again (simpsons reference)
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Piggy
Senior Member
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Post by Piggy on Sept 10, 2007 12:11:17 GMT
training facilities will be a big boost alright,heard Eammon Fitzmaurice talking about it in a article he wrote for the Kerryman afew weeks back, basically he said we were afew years behind other counties in terms of training facilities.
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Post by ArthurG on Sept 10, 2007 12:57:26 GMT
What counties Piggy?? We are in our 4th All Ireland in a row, how many All Ireland's have these counties been in or won???
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Post by bob567 on Sept 10, 2007 13:29:16 GMT
ArthurG, behind in terms of trainin facilities dedicated totally to kerry teams, not in terms of football or all irelands
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Post by ArthurG on Sept 11, 2007 12:57:53 GMT
I know that Bob.
But our underage system is the envy of evry county bar Tyrone.
We do need to improve facilities especially in the coaching/training of our county hurling teams I acknowledge, but to suggest we are way behind other counties is pure nonsense.
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Post by frantic on Sept 11, 2007 13:19:01 GMT
Hopefully, the building of any new stadium will be undertaken in parallel with the construction of the new bypass road. Hopefully, all the traffic won't have to end up at Clash cross and cause the usualy match chaos!
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Post by luxrebel on Sept 11, 2007 14:33:54 GMT
ArthurG, if the underage structures and training facilities are so good in Kerry, why are the teams not producing at minor and under-21 level? Are the players just not there?
The schools seem to be doing well enough, so it seems strange to me that you laud the Kerry structures when the teams haven't performed well over the past 3-4 years.
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Post by kerryeye on Sept 11, 2007 14:56:48 GMT
The minors have reached the last 7 all ireland semi finals in a row and have been in two finals in the same period,which is a pretty good return if you ask methe u-21s havent performed cos of poor management etc....but the players are definately there.
As for the new stadium id hope to see proper training facilities,there is a pitch in cahersalee aswell owned by the co.board which could also be sold off for extra funds aswell.Everything could be based in the same place in a top class facility in tralee rather than havin the players all over the place all the time?
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Piggy
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Post by Piggy on Sept 11, 2007 15:18:10 GMT
if somebody whos been involved with Kerry as long as eammon fitz thinks our facilities are behind other counties im not going to disagree with him Arthur.the limerick footballers and hurlers have the best of facilities for example in the University Arena in UL.i dont think we've anything to match those facilities in Kerry.obviously im not talking in terms of all irelands or quality of football!!
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