The main stand holds home supporters, club officials and press. A second stand on the opposite (east) side of the ground, was completed in August, 2009. This stand holds the stadium's TV gantry and brought the seating capacity to 6,000 and currently houses away fans.[4][5] A temporary south stand was constructed over a short period in early September 2011 for Rovers' games in the 2011–12 UEFA Europa League group stage. In 2019 a permanent South Stand was opened behind one of the goals, bringing the capacity to 8,000. Construction of new North Stand started in 2022, and was opened in 2024 which completed the fourth side of the ground and brought the capacity up to 10,000 seats.[6] All four stands are covered.
Refreshment stalls are located at the southern end as is a stadium control room. In June, 2013, a scoreboard was added to the stadium control room.
Temporary seating has been constructed at the stadium three times—once for a club friendly against Real Madrid, which gave the ground a temporary capacity of 10,900[7] again before the 2009 FAI Cup Final, giving the ground a temporary capacity of 8,500[8] and for Rovers' games in the 2011–12 UEFA Europa League group stage.
Megastore
Located behind the North Stand is the Shamrock Rovers Megastore.[9]
Though previously run by kit supplier, Umbro, it is now fully operated by Rovers. The Megastore was expanded in March, 2011, to include the Rovers Café. Within the Café was a large collection of memorabilia and trophies from the club's foundation in 1899 to the present day that have been donated to the Shamrock Rovers Heritage Trust and have been placed on public display.[10] For the 2013 League of Ireland season, the cafe was replaced with a Customer service area.
Glenmalure Suite
Club members can visit the Glenmalure Suite 60 minutes before kick off, at half time, and after the game for 30 minutes. Occasional post match Q&A with the manager and players are held in the suite.[11]
The following chronology is taken from the Judgement from the High Court on the Judicial Review.[12]
On 10 February 1997, South Dublin County Council passed a resolution to lease land comprising approximately 12.18 acres (49,300m2) at Whitestown Way for the construction of a Stadium for Shamrock Rovers F.C. On 14 January 1998, planning permission was granted and on 24 March 2000, the lease was granted to Mulden International Limited.[13] On 20 October 2000, Mulden International Limited transferred their lease to Slonepark Company Limited to build the stadium and work commenced in October, 2000. Work ceased at the site in November, 2001, with the pitch and drainage laid, the main stand almost complete and other buildings in various states of completion.
Following a prolonged period where no work was carried out at the stadium and a refusal by the Planning Authority in December 2004 to extend the lease the Council terminated the lease on 4 January 2004.
An examiner was appointed to Shamrock Rovers F.C. on 11 April 2005, and the council engaged in discussions with the examiner regarding the completion of the stadium and its use by Shamrock Rovers Football Club when completed. Following the examinership process a supporters group, the '400 Club' took control of Shamrock Rovers and run the club today as the Shamrock Rovers Members Club.
A public consultation process began on 18 July 2005, to complete the soccer stadium at Sean Walsh Memorial Park. Thomas Davis CLG participated fully in the public consultation process. A county Managers report was presented to the council on 12 December 2005, which provided for the increase of playing area to accommodate senior Gaelic games and other uses subject to allocation of funds from the Department of Arts, Sports and Tourism. The council then informed the Department of the resolution and request clarification regarding funding from the department.
Plan of the first phase of the Stadium on display at the site. Note the proximity of the East (right) stand to the adjoining school. Extending the pitch dimensions would have resulted in reduction of capacity in this stand.
A reply was received from the department on 24 January 2006, stating that the Minister could not agree to make funding available for the modified development.
The recent Council decision to adopt the manager's report subject to increasing the size of the playing pitch and extending the stands seriously undermines the basis of the previously agreed approach. A larger pitch cannot easily be accommodated within the present site given the buildings already in place and would mean that a future stand at the far side of the existing uncompleted stand would be about half the size as originally envisaged, thus limiting the future capacity to about 4,500. Given that the ends of the partially completed west stand are curved means that any proposal to extend along the length is likely to involve significantly increased costs. ... In response to the request from South Dublin County Council that funding be provided towards the new development as envisaged by the resolution recently passed by your Council, I wish to confirm that the Minister cannot agree to make the funding available on the basis of the new proposed development.
—Letter from Dept. Arts, Sport & Tourism, 24 January 2006
Acting on the Ministers response the Council voted in favour of proceeding with the original plans on 13 February 2006.
Thomas Davis GAA club instituted judicial review proceedings in the High Court in May, 2006. Their main argument was that the decision of the council on 13 February 2006, to revert to the original plans for the stadium, which did not include a senior GAA pitch, was unlawful.[14] Their submission on the technical point was accompanied by cultural arguments that 'the youth of Tallaght will be restricted to a diet of Association football' and that a soccer-only ground would place the 'applicant at a severe disadvantage in attracting the youth of Tallaght to the club, the sport and the GAA culture'.[15] However the stadium, with the original design, could accommodate junior GAA games as the pitch used at this level fits within the stadium's dimensions. It was only senior GAA games that would not have been facilitated.[16]
The disagreement had several low points that were played out in the media. Some Shamrock Rovers fans unveiled a banner at a league game showing their contempt for Thomas Davis's actions in taking the matter to court. And contrary to the GAA policy of being apolitical Thomas Davis GAA club made it known that the Minister of State Conor LenihanTD, the local Dáil representative, was no longer welcome at the club because of his support for Minister John O'Donoghue's stance and called for the clubs members to make the stadium a General Election issue.[17]
The judicial review began on 20 April 2007, and concluded on 14 December 2007. In the High Court decision Mr. Justice Roderick Murphy found in favour of South Dublin Co. Council and Shamrock Rovers.[18] He found that Thomas Davis had no financial or proprietary interest in the development site having had no agreement with SDCC for its use and noted the extensive facilities they had already been given by the council. And so Thomas Davis was not prejudiced by the decision being made in February rather than late January. The resolution to change the stadium was conditional on additional funding from the department in the absence of this funding the resolution could not stand or, more properly, could not be implemented. The court concluded that "it would be wrong of the respondent to commit itself to unbudgeted expenditure or to delay the implementation of its resolution of 13 February 2005. The court, accordingly, refuses the relief sought by Thomas Davis."
An application by Thomas Davis for leave to appeal this decision to the Supreme court was refused by Judge Murphy on 25 January 2008. Building commenced on the stadium on 6 May 2008, six and a half years after work had first stopped.[19]
Opening and development
The first match in the new stadium was held on 13 March 2009.[20] Rovers made a winning start to life in Tallaght as they saw off the challenge of Sligo Rovers 2–1 in front of a sell-out crowd of 3,000. Gary Twigg had the honour of being the first man to score at the new stadium.[21]
On 20 July 2009, Shamrock Rovers played Real Madrid at Tallaght Stadium as part of a "festival of football" which also included games against Newcastle United and Hibernian. Temporary seating was installed taking capacity up to 10,900.[7] Real Madrid won the game by one goal to nil with a late goal. The match was notable for the debut appearance of Cristiano Ronaldo for Real Madrid.[22] The second (east) stand was opened for a game against Dundalk on 22 August 2009, which attracted over 4,500 fans. The stadium was sold out the following week, albeit with capacity restrictions (meaning a crowd of about 5,400) for a derby with St Patrick's Athletic. Its first full house with the new capacity came against Bohemians on 2 October 2009, as 6,000 tickets were sold out a week in advance.
Tallaght Stadium won the 2010 Airtricity League Pitch of the Year award.[23] It also won the 2012 Airtricity League Pitch of the Year award.[24]
In 2019 the South Stand was opened, behind the southern goal, bringing the capacity up to nearly 8,000 seats.[25] A north stand behind the opposite goal at the 'Square end', was opened in 2024 and includes 2,000 additional seats, bringing the capacity of Tallaght stadium up to over 10,000 seats.[6]
Cup football
The 2009 FAI Cup Final was held at the stadium.[26]Sporting Fingal were winners over Sligo Rovers before 8,105 people.[27] The Setanta Sports Cup Final has been held on four occasions at Tallaght Stadium, in 2010, 2011, 2013, and 2014. In the 2013 final, on 13 May 2013, Shamrock Rovers defeated Drogheda United 7–1, in front of 4,022 fans.[28] Following the completion of its fourth stand, Tallaght stadium hosted the tenth edition of the President's Cup in which Rovers beat St. Pat's in front of a record crowd of 8,053.[29]
Shelbourne players and fans celebrate winning the FAI Women's Cup final at Tallaght Stadium on 6 November 2022
League football
The capacity of Tallaght Stadium was increased following the opening of the South Stand in 2019. Rovers achieved their biggest league attendance since moving to Tallaght in a 1–0 loss to Bohemians in front of a crowd of 6,414 on 23 April 2019.[30] That league attendance figure was topped later that season with 7,021 attending a Rovers-Bohemians derby in which Shamrock Rovers were victorious 1–0 on 30 August 2019.[31] The following season Rovers beat Dundalk 3–2 in front of a league record Tallaght crowd of 7,522 on 28 February 2020.[32]
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic matches were played behind closed doors for much of the 2020 and 2021 seasons. However Rovers clinched the 2021 League of Ireland Premier Division title in a 3–0 victory over Finn Harps on 29 October 2021 in front of 7,030 at Tallaght stadium.[33] On 19 November 2021, a league record of 7,765 packed in to witness Shamrock Rovers crowned league champions for the 19th time.[34]
Rovers set another league attendance as a 7,864-strong crowd witnessed a 2–0 victory over Bohemians on 5 May 2023.[35] On 29 September 2023, 7,879 witnessed Rovers beat Shelbourne 1–0, setting yet another attendance record for a league match at Tallaght stadium.[36] This record was broken again in November 2023 as 8,021 fans celebrated the Hoops' 21st Premier Division Title win against Sligo Rovers.[37] Rovers' average league attendance in 2023 rose to 6,115 per game. On 29 March 2024, following the opening of the north stand 10,094 fans saw Rovers defeat their city rivals Bohemians 3-1, the biggest turnout for a regular league game this century and in Dublin since 1990.[38]
East stand at Tallaght StadiumMain stand at Tallaght Stadium
European football
The first European game in the stadium was held in July, 2010, when Rovers drew with Bnei Yehuda of Tel Aviv in the UEFA Europa League.[39] After Rovers eliminated the Israelis the next round draw saw Juventus play at the stadium in front of a crowd of 5,800.[40][41]
The stadium hosted its first UEFA Champions League game in July, 2011, and hosted Rovers' games in the 2011–12 UEFA Europa League group stage. In order to comply with UEFA criteria for participating in the group stages of the UEFA Europa League, a south stand was constructed over a short period in early September 2011. Although constructed with temporary style construction techniques & materials the new stand was passed fit by UEFA inspectors as fulfilling the criteria for permanent seating. The inclusion of the new south stand brought the stadium capacity above the minimum of 8,500 seats needed to be classified as a Category 4 Stadium as laid out in the UEFA Stadium Infrastructure Regulations.[42] On 15 December 2011 Rovers lost 4-0 to Tottenham Hotspur in its final group stage match of the 2011-12 Europa League in front of 8,500 fans.[43] Due to seating restrictions at Richmond Park, St Patrick's Athletic played a 2011–12 UEFA Europa League third qualifying round home game against Karpaty Lviv at Tallaght Stadium,[44] and a 2012–13 UEFA Europa League qualifying phase match against Hannover 96.[45] After the 2011–12 UEFA Europa League group stage, the seats were removed to bring the capacity of the stadium back to 6,000.[4][5]
The stadium hosted group stages of the 2022–23 UEFA Europa Conference League as Rovers qualified for the second time for European group stage football and again in 2024.
The main stand runs the length of the west side of the pitch and was the first stand to open in the stadium. It houses the club's officials and the press facilities as well as about 3,000 seats. The main stand also houses the dressing rooms. The club's superstore is situated behind the stand.
East stand
The east stand runs the length of the east side of the pitch and was opened late in the 2009 season with capacity for about 3,000 seats. The ultras within the club's support base used to congregate in the east stand, but in 2019, with the opening of the South Stand, the more vociferous Rovers supporters relocated there. Away supporters are now accommodated in the east stand. In July 2010 a control room was constructed at the car park end of the east stand.
South Stand
The south stand, located behind one of the goals, was opened in 2019, holding just under 2,000 seats. Since then it has housed many of Rovers more vocal supporters.
North Stand
The North stand located behind the Tallaght 'Square end' goal began construction in mid 2022 and was planned to bring the stadium up to a UEFA Category 4 stadium once opened.[49] This development cost €11.5m and includes improvement works in the main stand's corporate area to provide additional media, conference and meeting room facilities. The new North Stand was planned to hold over 2,000 spectators, increasing capacity from 8,000 to 10,000. The expansion project, which was originally expected to be completed by the end of July 2023,[50] was opened in time for the start of the 2024 season.[citation needed]
Shamrock Rovers Football Club is an Irish professional football club based in Tallaght, South Dublin. The club's senior team competes in the League of Ireland Premier Division and it is the most successful club in the Republic of Ireland. The club has won the League of Ireland title a record 21 times and the FAI Cup a record 25 times. Shamrock Rovers have supplied more players to the Republic of Ireland national football team (64) than any other club. In All-Ireland competitions, such as the Intercity Cup, they hold the record for winning the most titles, having won seven cups overall.
St Patrick's Athletic Football Club, commonly known as Pat's or The Athletic, is a professional Irish association football club based in Inchicore, Dublin, that plays in the Irish Premier Division. Founded in May 1929, they played originally in Phoenix Park but they moved to their current ground of Richmond Park in 1939.
The Football Association of Ireland Senior Challenge Cup, known as the Sports Direct FAI Cup for sponsorship reasons, is a knock-out association football competition contested annually by teams from the Republic of Ireland. Organised by the FAI, the competition is currently sponsored by Sports Direct. It was known as the Free State Cup from 1923 to 1936. Shamrock Rovers hold the record of most wins with 25.
Dalymount Park is a football stadium in Phibsborough on the Northside of Dublin, Ireland.
Tolka Park is an Irish association football ground located in the north Dublin suburb of Drumcondra, on the northern banks of the River Tolka. It is currently the home ground of League of Ireland club Shelbourne men's and women's senior sides. The stadium formerly held 9,680 people, but this has been scaled down in recent times due to health and safety regulations in the venue, mainly concerning the 'New' and Ballybough stands. Tolka Park has hosted national cup finals along with international matches, Champions League qualifiers, UEFA Cup, UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, UEFA Cup, UEFA Conference League ties and was a venue for the 1994 UEFA European Under-16 Championship and 2000 Rugby League World Cup. The ground has also in the past been used for boxing championships and basketball.
Glenmalure Park, often simply known as Milltown, was a football stadium on the Southside of Dublin city in Ireland. Located in the suburb of Milltown, it was home to Shamrock Rovers from 1926 to 1987, when it was sold to property developers by the club's directors. It is now a housing estate called Glenmalure Square.
Thomas Davis is a Gaelic Athletic Association club with extensive grounds and a clubhouse located on the Kiltipper Road in Tallaght, County Dublin, Ireland. Founded in 1888, Thomas Davis has a long association with Tallaght from the time when it was a small rural village in the countryside. The club motto is Nascann Dúshlán Daoine .
The League of Ireland Premier Division, also known as the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division for sponsorship reasons, is the top level division in both the League of Ireland and the Republic of Ireland football league system. The division was formed in 1985 following a reorganisation of the League of Ireland. St Patrick's Athletic and Bohemians are the only current League of Ireland clubs never to have been relegated from the Premier Division. The league has been won on two occasions by Northern Ireland-based club Derry City, the presence of which within the league makes it a cross-border competition. Since 2003, the Premier Division has taken place from spring to autumn. The 2025 League of Ireland Premier Division became the first year that the league is entirely made up of full-time professional clubs and players.
Shamrock Rovers Football Club is a football club from Dublin, Republic of Ireland. Founded in Ringsend, a southside, inner suburb of Dublin, the club's date of foundation is uncertain and disputed. Between 1926 and 1987 the club played at Glenmalure Park, Milltown. Shamrock Rovers F.C. is Ireland's most successful football club having won the League of Ireland a record 21 times, including four times in a row in the 1980s and again in 2020s, along with the FAI Cup a record 25 times, including six times in a row in the 1960s. It was also the first Irish club to participate in a European competition, playing in the European Cup in 1957. Shamrock Rovers was also one of the European club teams that spent the 1967 season in the United States to found the United Soccer Association, representing Boston as the Boston Rovers.
Eoin Doyle is an Irish former professional footballer who played as a forward.
The 2011 Shamrock Rovers F.C. season was the club's 90th season competing in the League of Ireland and their 5th consecutive season in the top-flight of Irish football. It was also their most successful season in their history. Rovers played a record number of 56 games in the whole 2011 season.
Christopher Stephen Forrester is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for St Patrick's Athletic in the League of Ireland Premier Division. He has also previously played for Bohemians, Peterborough United, Aberdeen and the Republic of Ireland under-21's. In March 2016 he was called up to the Republic of Ireland senior squad but has yet to be capped.
David Webster is an Irish former professional footballer that played in the League of Ireland for Bray Wanderers, Shamrock Rovers, Waterford, St Patrick's Athletic, Finn Harps and Drogheda United.
The COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland has had a significant impact on the conduct of sports, affecting both competitive sports leagues and tournaments and recreational sports.
Darragh Francis O'Brien Burns is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a winger for Shamrock Rovers, on loan from EFL League Two club Milton Keynes Dons.
The 2022 League of Ireland Premier Division, known as the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division for sponsorship reasons, was the 38th season of the League of Ireland Premier Division, the top Irish league for association football clubs since its establishment in 1985. Shamrock Rovers were the defending champions, having won their nineteenth Premier Division title the previous season. They retained the title on 24 October as a result of Derry City drawing 0-0 away to Sligo Rovers.
Mark Doyle is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a winger or striker, most recently for USL Championship club Rhode Island, having previously spent six seasons at Drogheda United and two seasons with St Patrick's Athletic.
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