The Football Association of Ireland can confirm that a new stadium in Drogheda, to be built in conjunction with Louth County Council’s plans for a Municipal Playing Pitches at North Drogheda, has been agreed with the Local Authority. The new stadium
The Football Association of Ireland can confirm that a new stadium in Drogheda, to be built in conjunction with Louth County Council’s plans for a Municipal Playing Pitches at North Drogheda, has been agreed with the Local Authority.
The new stadium will be an initial 3,000 seater complex with scope of increasing up to 10,000. The Stadium will form an integral part of Louth County Council’s plans for a Municipal Playing Pitch facility at North Drogheda. This facility includes space for several full-size pitches and smaller artificial pitches, which will be accessible to the local community.
Drogheda United will become the main tenants of this new stadium and their underage teams, catering for their Under 19, U17, U15 & U13 players, will use the surrounding pitches for games in the SSE Airtricity League.
John Delaney, FAI CEO, said: “This stadium project is a huge step forward in further developing football in Drogheda and credit should go to Louth County Council, and their Chief Executive Joan Martin, who have been extremely supportive from the very beginning.
“To have a modern stadium in Drogheda that initially starts out with a capacity of 3,000 with scope to rise up to 10,000 seats is great news for Irish football. It means that Drogheda United will have a new home to be proud of and that the FAI will have another venue to stage underage international matches.
“Drogheda United have had a great history in Irish football and it’s time for them to make new memories in a stadium that is fit for purpose to cater for their loyal supporters, to attract new fans, and to serve the local community.
"I'd like to thank Fiachra Kierans and all involved at Drogheda United, but I'm especially pleased for Vincent Hoey following a life-time of support for the club that his vision for a new stadium will be delivered.
Joan Martin, Louth County Council CE, said: “The Council is delighted that this new stadium project has been given the green light by the FAI, after a lot of hard work to transform an initial idea of Municipal Playing Pitches into something that can be realistically built.
“There is no doubt that this project would not have reached this stage without the guidance and persistence of FAI CEO John Delaney. Without John’s backing, we would never have moved any closer to realising our dream of constructing a modern complex that will serve the community of Drogheda.
“We have a lot of work ahead of us to get the Municipal Playing Pitches and the Stadium, open to the public but it is an exciting time and we look forward to continuing this journey.”
Councillor Liam Reilly, Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, expressed his delight that the Council’s long-term ambition to develop Municipal Playing pitches in North Drogheda has now moved a step closer with this joint venture with the FAI. "I’m looking forward to the development proceeding as quickly as possible to provide much needed community playing facilities for the people of Drogheda and surrounding areas."
Fiachra Kierans, Drogheda United chairman, stated: “This is fantastic news for Drogheda United Football Club, the people of Drogheda, and the future of football in County Louth. We have to give tremendous credit to FAI CEO John Delaney for making this happen.
“The future of Drogheda United is very bright and we are excited to work with the FAI and Louth County Council to turn this new stadium into something that our supporters and the people of Drogheda can be proud of. It is a major investment for the Drogheda area."
