Boost for Rovers as council votes for €7.7m stadium upgrade

SOUTH Dublin County Council has unveiled long-awaited plans for a €7.7m upgrade of Tallaght Stadium.

The scheme includes plans to build a fourth stand at Shamrock Rovers’ home grounds along with the development of the West Stand to what the council describes as a “high quality corporate area”.

The project – which will bring the stadium up to the top UEFA standards – was agreed by elected members of the council at their June meeting last week.

Anchor tenant Rovers will move their club store and offices to the new 2,000 seater North Stand which will face onto the N81, bringing stadium capacity to 10,000.

The council also plans to develop the existing West Stand to incorporate a medical area, mixed media zone, match official’s area and new kitchen and dining facilities.

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The works will see Tallaght Stadium meet UEFA Category 4 requirements to host any European competition, including Champions League matches.

This expansion ties in with the local authority’s plans to host music gigs, festivals and other open air arena events at the stadium which could accommodate up to 20,000 people with the addition of temporary on-field seating.

Daniel McLoughlin, chief executive of South Dublin County Council, said: “The ongoing investment being made in the development of Tallaght Stadium is evidence of our council’s commitment to sport, community infrastructure, the civic pride and reputation of the Tallaght area.”

Work could begin within a matter of weeks once the planning process is completed. Wing walls will be built on each end of the North Stand for safety and shelter which will “significantly enhance” the visual aspect from the N81.

Cllr Charlie O’Connor (FF) described the project as “a great news story for the area”.

The council-owned stadium, which first opened in 2009, hosted the Special Olympics opening ceremony in 2018 as well as Cristiano Ronaldo’s Real Madrid debut.

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