Euro 2020 could have a major knock on effect for the League of Ireland in Dublin. FAI CEO John Delaney has said he wants to redevelop Dalymount Park, the home of Bohemians, as part of the legacy of four Euro 2020 games being played in Ireland.
As part of winning the right to stage four games at the newly formatted tournament, the FAI will receive a grant from UEFA. Delaney said last night in Switzerland that the FAI will be “looking for some form of legacy out of it.”
The Irish Independent reports that the site likely to be the focus of the aim for a legacy is Dalymount Park, once considered the home of Irish football.
"I would have an eye on Dalymount Park and I would hope we could achieve something there. I would love if we could get it out of debt and be redeveloped for 2020. I've already spoken to government and city council about that."
“First of all we’ve got to deal collectively with the debt that Bohemians have with their particular bank (Zurich) and I’d be hoping something could be resolved in terms of a commitment from all parties.
“I’d like to see Dalymount house two League of Ireland clubs. Bohemians and possibly Shelbourne as well.
“It’s been a dream of mine for many, many years and I think out of any hosting of a major tournament, there should be a legacy.
“Dalymount Park, the soul of Irish football, being redeveloped and kept in football is something that personally I’m hugely committed to.”
Dalymount is currently subject to a charge by Zurich Bank, following Bohs restructuring their debt with Zurich in 2011. The future of the club, and the ground has been in doubt since the proposed deal to sell Dalymount to developers fell through in 2008.
Shelbourne are currently playing in Tolka Park but the old ground has fallen badly into disrepair. The ground is currently owned by the estate of former CEO Ollie Byrne, with the club charged a minimal rent figure to remain tenants. The ground, which became the focus of a messy deal between developers and the club in the last decade, may eventually be sold but it is likely most, if not all, proceeds of the sale would go to repaying debts run up by Shelbourne during the tie of Ollie Byrne.
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