Long Kesh Park takes another step forward

[Evil Genius]

Out of interest, who's the biggest club in the province?

Though it gives me no great pleasure to say it, that would be Linfield. In fact, there is a case for saying they are the "biggest" in Ireland (though what the criteria should be is arguable, to say the least)

[take_yer_points]

Out of interest, who's the biggest club in the province?

Though it gives me no great pleasure to say it, that would be Linfield. In fact, there is a case for saying they are the "biggest" in Ireland (though what the criteria should be is arguable, to say the least)

Where would Derry City fall in? I'd imagine they'd be quite big too.

[dublinfella]

Where would Derry City fall in? I'd imagine they'd be quite big too.

Derry are a small provincial side in the scheme of things. The big two in Belfst, four in Dublin and Cork would be bigger and more successful then them.

I havent read all these pages. Can I summise that the socer fans are lukewarm on the idea and the GAA lads are reacting badly as this threatens their free stadium?

[Evil Genius]

Out of interest, who's the biggest club in the province?

Though it gives me no great pleasure to say it, that would be Linfield. In fact, there is a case for saying they are the "biggest" in Ireland (though what the criteria should be is arguable, to say the least)

Where would Derry City fall in? I'd imagine they'd be quite big too.

I see what you mean (I should have said Irish League rather than NI/Province). Linfield are still ahead of DCFC by almost every criterion. Derry could certainly argue they are "bigger" than the Glens on the basis of the last 15-20 years, but even then they have been somewhat inconsistent over that period. In the longer term, their record doesn't really compare to Gemtoran's, it has to be said.

[take_yer_points]

Out of interest, who's the biggest club in the province?

Though it gives me no great pleasure to say it, that would be Linfield. In fact, there is a case for saying they are the "biggest" in Ireland (though what the criteria should be is arguable, to say the least)

Where would Derry City fall in? I'd imagine they'd be quite big too.

I see what you mean (I should have said Irish League rather than NI/Province). Linfield are still ahead of DCFC by almost every criterion. Derry could certainly argue they are "bigger" than the Glens on the basis of the last 15-20 years, but even then they have been somewhat inconsistent over that period. In the longer term, their record doesn't really compare to Gemtoran's, it has to be said.

Don't know much about them to be honest but thought they would've been big enough. Definitely bigger than my home club - the mighty Swifts! 

[Evil Genius]

Where would Derry City fall in? I'd imagine they'd be quite big too.

Derry are a small provincial side in the scheme of things. The big two in Belfst, four in Dublin and Cork would be bigger and more successful then them.

Tbf, Derry is a traditional "soccer" town, in a way that Cork has never really been, so I'd guess that their fans would take exception to being lumped behind Cork Hibs/Celtic/City/Whateverthehelltheyrecallingthemselvesthisweek

]I havent read all these pages. Can I summise that the socer fans are lukewarm on the idea and the GAA lads are reacting badly as this threatens their free stadium?

NI soccer fans are overwhelmingly opposed to the Maze Stadium, for a variety of reasons to do with location, design, cost etc. There is also a political element to this opposition in that many do not want to be associated with so politically controversial a site, but this is by no means the main, or even a significant element of the opposition (despite what certain non-NI soccer fans would tell you!  )

As for the GAA, even if there is little of the hostility of the soccer community, I can honestly discern no great enthusiasm for the project, either from amongst their Administrators or supporters. I guess that most are prepared to go along with it both because it is "free" and also because they don't wish to antagonise a Government which is/was set upon it, particularly for it's "shared space" aspect. (Fair enough on the GAA's part, I should add)

That said, if a select number of posters on this Board are representative, there may be a constituency amongst the GAA support which is very enthusiastic towards the Maze and correspondingly scornful towards NI soccer fans who oppose it.

Anyhow, Dublinfella, you couldn't supply any tips on how soccer fans might deal with the GAA over stadium-sharing problems by any chance?  

[dublinfella]

[

Anyhow, Dublinfella, you couldn't supply any tips on how soccer fans might deal with the GAA over stadium-sharing problems by any chance?  

With extreme hostility I would suggest!!   

While the circumstances are different in the sense of the GAA's input is wanted and welcome here, its interesting to see the same posters jumping up and down in fury at the thought of a 'free' stadium for soccer in Tallaght and jumping up and down with fury because soccer wont take the free stadium in Belfast. The GAA isnt consistant enough in its approach to share with any sports on a long term basis.

[magickingdom]

Where would Derry City fall in? I'd imagine they'd be quite big too.

Derry are a small provincial side in the scheme of things. The big two in Belfst, four in Dublin and Cork would be bigger and more successful then them.

I havent read all these pages. Can I summise that the socer fans are lukewarm on the idea and the GAA lads are reacting badly as this threatens their free stadium?

wrong, just like every other post you've put on this board. and who the fock are the big soccer clubs in dublin? scamrock rovers/bohs/st pats? would they draw 5k between them? man u have more supporters in tallaght then rovers in the whole of dublin..

[Main Street]

Which point, MS?

Which point  
The point of the last 10 pages of the thread, that's what feckin point.
I am not interested to get into a windbag discussion with someone whoose self absorbed head is all over the place.
Get some feckin focus, read the feckin posts before you come back with a silly comment.

The points I have made are fully supported with quotes and have not been challenged or refuted with any semblance of rational focussed debate. There were no Belfast option proposals, all sporting bodies say so, there was nothing to veto by the GAA. There is absolutely no evidence to support the contention that the GAA dictated the location.
All the available evidence points to that the Maze location was dictated by entities outside the control of the 3 sporting bodies.
Whatever happens in the future is another issue

[Rossfan]

[fury at the thought of a 'free' stadium for soccer in Tallaght and jumping up and down with fury because soccer wont take the free stadium in Belfast.

There's a big difference between a "free" stadium for 3 sports  and a free stadium for one sport and then only for one freeloading sc**bag failed entity of a club from that sport.
Anyway as far as I can make out between all the quotes by EG/Sammy -Soccer in the North actually wants a free stadium in Belfast and doesnt want  one in Long Kesh because it's too far from Belfast ??

[SammyG]

and doesnt want  one in Long Kesh because it's too far from Belfast ??

I presume that is either a pisstake or you haven't read the thread. The issues with the Maze are:
No infrastructure
No road access
No public transport access
Cost

Nothing to do with how far it is from Belfast.

[SammyG]

The points I have made are fully supported with quotes and have not been challenged or refuted with any semblance of rational focussed debate. There were no Belfast option proposals, all sporting bodies say so, there was nothing to veto by the GAA. There is absolutely no evidence to support the contention that the GAA dictated the location.

Apart from the fact that you posted the evvidence a couple of pages back.

All the available evidence points to that the Maze location was dictated by entities outside the control of the 3 sporting bodies.

No all evidence points to the 3 sports bodies being given various options. Football and Rugby said they were happy with anywhere and the GAA said no to Belfast.

Whatever happens in the future is another issue

Indeed it will be interesting to see if the GAA will now come on board with a city stadium, now that the Maze is dead (becuase, after all, we've been told enough times that they have no veto!!!)

[deiseach]

I don't know why cost would be an issue. No one in NI is going to be paying for it.

I'll get my coat . . .

[Main Street]

No all evidence points to the 3 sports bodies being given various options. Football and Rugby said they were happy with anywhere and the GAA said no to Belfast.

Where is all that written down? in the dcal minutes?

Ulster Rugby
"At no time has a business proposal or governance solution been made available in relation to a Belfast Stadium nor have Belfast City Council ever met with a representative from Ulster Rugby"

Indeed it will be interesting to see if the GAA will now come on board with a city stadium, now that the Maze is dead (becuase, after all, we've been told enough times that they have no veto!!!)

All 3 sports bodies have to agree , therefore you could say all 3 have some sort of veto, the lie being spouted around is that there was some Belfast option that the GAA exercised some veto over.
Lets see if the Maze is dead and lets see if there is a viable Belfast option for a multi sports stadium.
Looks to me so far that the DUP are just posing to appease their electorate.
Looks to me that if the Maze is rejected then that's the end of a multi sports facility.

[SammyG]

No all evidence points to the 3 sports bodies being given various options. Football and Rugby said they were happy with anywhere and the GAA said no to Belfast.

Where is all that written down? in the dcal minutes?

As per several previous conversations, yes it is detailed in the DCAL minutes. Further info at http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/culture/2007mandate/moe/070724.htm and http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/culture/2007mandate/moe/080221.htm

Ulster Rugby
"At no time has a business proposal or governance solution been made available in relation to a Belfast Stadium nor have Belfast City Council ever met with a representative from Ulster Rugby"

Interesting selective quoting yet again. UR haven't seen a proposal from BCC, because there hasn't been one. That doesn't mean they won't look at one if/when one becomes available.

Indeed it will be interesting to see if the GAA will now come on board with a city stadium, now that the Maze is dead (becuase, after all, we've been told enough times that they have no veto!!!)

All 3 sports bodies have to agree , therefore you could say all 3 have some sort of veto, the lie being spouted around is that there was some Belfast option that the GAA exercised some veto over.

See previous answer. DCAL confirm that 6 Belfast options were discussed and 2 put forward and the GAA said no to any Belfast site.

Lets see if the Maze is dead and lets see if there is a viable Belfast option for a multi sports stadium.

Indeed, as I've been saying for a long time. The first priority was to stop the Maze white elephant, now that it's dead, we can move on to looking at the available options and choosing whats best for sport. Hopefully that will be a multi-sport stadium but if not then divvy the money up and let the sports get on with their own lives.

Looks to me so far that the DUP are just posing to appease their electorate.

I'd imagine the thought of a court case over mis-use of public funds would be weighing more heavily. Given that most DUP voters would vote for a monkey in a red, white and blue rosette. And a lot of the DUP MLAs seem to have little or no interest in sport.

Looks to me that if the Maze is rejected then that's the end of a multi sports facility.

Depends on whether the GAA will come on-board with a workable city stadium, if not then you're probably right (unfortunately).