Ireland's infrastructure and venues for Euro 2020

Ireland’s asset to Euro 2020

Location		Stadium	Capacity
Dublin		Croke Park	82,300
Dublin		Aviva Stadium	51,200
Cork		Pairc Ui Chaoimh	43,000
Limerick		Thomond Park	26,500
Galway		Pearce Stadium	34,000

            The 3 nations (Scotland, Ireland and Wales) have entered into an endeavor to win the Euro 2020 tournament. Can the 3 nations work together and accomplish this task? All 3 nations area about similar in size, population and each have one huge city. I would imagine that Euro officials would like each country to host in at least 2 different cities. This would give the Celtic Bid at least 6 cities to market their bid. Most guess Euro officials would also want  9 to 10 stadiums. With only 3 bids to pick from Euro officials may just take the best option. The question becomes how attractive can the Celtic Bid be.

            Since there are now 24 nations (expanded in 2016) that will mean there will be 6 groups of 4 teams. FIFA World Cup USA 1994 had 24 nations. This World Cup also only had 9 venues. Group A&B shared 3 venues, Group C&D shares 3 venues and Groups E&F shared 3 venues. I would imagine the Celtic nations will take a similar approach. Each Celtic nation would want to host at least 2 groups apiece if at all possible. That will mean each nation will only have to come up with 3 stadiums each. That would mean 2 stadiums in each of the largest cities (Glasgow, Dublin and Cardiff) and one more stadium in another City. Edinberg for Scotland, Limerick for Ireland and Swansea for Wales.

Ireland’s infrastructure



Luas Tram in Dublin Add caption

Ireland has a quick look at Ireland.  Ireland announced Transport 21 which is a 34 Billion dollar Euro investment into the motorways and public transportation (buses and rail). Ireland has a new motorway system that branches out from Dublin to all the main cities of (Galway, Limerick and Cork).

Trains

            Dublin's transit system utilizes electrified suburban trains, diesel commuter rail, trams and an extensive bus network to provide service to the population of the Greater Dublin Area. Pictured above is the new and popular Luas light train tram in Dublin. The Luas reached profitability ahead of schedule, after only 1 year of operation. Successful infrastructure improvement in Dublin is very attractive.                  

            This new rail system in Dublin and Ireland’s new motorway throughout Ireland will score very high in the bid. Ireland also has the accommodations will score very high in this area also. Euro officials do not like more than one venue in a major city however if fans can get to venues then exceptions will be made.                     

 Ireland has the hotel space because a huge part of their economy is tourism.  My feeling is that the Republic of Ireland would want to host 2 groups in at least 2 different cities. This tournament would be great for Ireland for something to look forward to. This tournament would provide a great economic shot in the arm for the depressed economy.

Ireland has the infrastructure, the passionate fans base, a good history of soccer. This is the most expensive part however Ireland already has the road and rail network. Ireland just has to come up with 3 viable stadiums.

Irelands Stadiums

            Ireland’s national soccer team stadium plays Aviva Stadium. This stadium is located in their top market of Dublin. Aviva Stadium is owned by the FAI and Irish Rugby Football Union  (IRFU). The FAI should be able to feature this stadium as the Irish showpiece. This stadium is the best stadium in Ireland and one of the best in the Celtic Bid. This stadium was open in 2010 and is state of the art. The Dublin Arena has seating capacity for 51,700 spectators. The FAI, Euro officials and other national teams would want to play here.

            Since over 35% of the Irish population lives in the Dublin Urban area, it is safe to say that FAI would want a second stadium in Dublin.                                                                                         

            The other stadium in Dublin is the famous Croke Park. Croke Park is owned by the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA.). The GAA does not like foreign sports (like Soccer) to be played on their grounds. It could take away from their Celtic sport. The GAA has since relaxed this attitude over time and now is a bit more open to engage in talks with the FAI over this issue. The GAA has let the FAI play international games be played in Croke Park when the old Lansdowne Stadium was demolished and Aviva built.  However a game is one thing, a tournament is a different story. I can see the GAA negotiate for a game or 2 but a tournament that could take as long as a month is a completely different story. Croke Park is the best GAA stadium by far in Ireland. This is Irelands Super Bowl of Stadiums. I believe the FAI, a marketing team; the Rep of Ireland tourism department must persuade the GAA to allow soccer to be played here. This tournament would be great for Ireland especially Dublin.                                                                                                            
 No other stadium even comes close to it’s size or wonderful design or experience. Croke holds a whopping 82,300 which is the 4^th largest stadium in Europe. This stadium would be great for the FAI to fulfill their part in providing at least 3 stadiums.                                                                            

Limerick and Cork                                                    

            Since I believe the games should encompass all of Ireland I am hoping for another stadium in another city. Dublin is the biggest city, (Belfast and Derry are in Northern Ireland) Cork is the second, and Limerick has the 3^rd largest population.

            Thomond Park is a brand new (2008) stadium in Limerick. This is a Rugby stadium however a soccer match would play well in these confines. Thomond Park has already been mentioned by the FAI as a venue that is very attractive to them. This makes for a great atmosphere and comfortable seating. It would be a very enjoyable experience to get into this new stadium. Thomond Park has the seating capacity of 26,500. Temporary stands in each end zone could increase it to meet EURO requirement of 30k. This would be a great city that would greatly benefit the area if the Euro’s were held there. The IRFU owns this so negotiating with them for its use is imminent. This would be a terrific location and a great stadium to host as Ireland 3^rd venue.

            There is a rail line that cost about $64 to get from Dublin to Limerick. This trip only take 2 hours and 12 minutes. This would provide fans very accommodating transportation and a great price. A car ride would take about the same amount of time with the new motorway.

            At this point there these are my 3 front runners for Ireland to host 3 groups. We could always speculate about another possible venue if Thomond Park or Croke Park falls through.

            Ireland could also look to Pairc Ui Chaomh Stadium in Cork. Pairc Ui Chaomh is looking to do a complete 40 Million remodel the stadium, which would be funded by the GAA.. Work could begin as soon as this year. The GAA owns this stadium and they are looking to expand the stadium to 50,000, making it the 4^th largest in Ireland. This stadium could be used as one of the 3 venues for Wales, which may have difficulty having 3 stadiums. Cork was a ferry to Wales so logistics would be worked out. Cork would benefit greatly from this tournament. Having 8 of the best nations in Europe play in Cork and  have their fans travel there would be great for the City.