Shels in the spotlight after €3.8m Dalymount Park deal

DUBLIN City Council’s planned purchase of Dalymount Park for

?¬3.8m has shifted the focus to Shelbourne Football Club’s decision not to be involved in the deal.

It was originally proposed that Bohemian FC and Shels would enter into an arrangement whereby both clubs would share Dalymount.

This would have required Shelbourne to surrender its lease on Tolka Park to Dublin City Council, with the local authority developing housing on the Drumcondra grounds to recoup its investment in Bohs’ stadium.

However, while the ground share proposal was met with opposition from Shelbourne supporters, it’s understood that it was not possible to do a deal with developer Jerry O’Reilly, who has held a key stake in the ground since 2006.

There was a view within Shelbourne that the proposed deal would clear the bulk of Bohemian FC’s loans while doing nothing to ease the indebtedness of their club.

Concerns were also expressed about the loss of revenue streams at Tolka Park, such as from its bar and pitchside advertising.

Dublin city councillors were told last week that it had not been possible to get Shels across the line as part of its proposed purchase of Dalymount Park, which is to be redeveloped as a municipal sports centre subject to Government funding and possible private investment being secured.

A soccer museum may also form part of the plan.

Dublin City Council has left the door open to Shelbourne should the club decide to reconsider its position.

Independent TD Finian McGrath, who is a longstanding Shelbourne supporter, said he was disappointed that some of the investment had not gone into Tolka Park.

“We need redevelopment and any dumbing down of Tolka Park would be a terrible loss to the Northside of Dublin, not to mention future generations of sports fans,

? he said.

“In the meantime, Dublin City Council should carry out some remedial work on our local ground.

?

He added:

“I know I’m biased but I live up the road from Shels and I really like the fact that we have such a historic club in our community. We need to keep it in Tolka Park and keep the club alive.

“Moving to Dalymount would be damaging to the club.

?

A Shelbourne FC source told Northside People that while having supporters on board for any move was critical, a ground share with Bohs would be easier to accept if it was part of a plan that would put the club on a footing from which it could grow.

However, he said it was encouraging that Dublin City Council had stated its desire to help ensure the club’s survival.

“We’re unique in having very successful youth sections for both boys and girls, with many international players, as well our historical League of Ireland team,

? he said.

“This is the key to the club’s future as part of the community.

?

He pointed out that Tolka Park had been chosen as one of the venues for the upcoming UEFA Regions’ Cup.

“There is a perception that Tolka Park is in a terrible state but UEFA officials visited recently to run the rule over the place and were happy with it,

? he added.