New stand in Tallaght Stadium to be handed over in January

THE NEW North Stand in Tallaght Stadium is expected to be handed over to South Dublin County Council in January 2024 when works are fully completed, reports William O’Connor.

According to the local authority, the new stand and improved facilities which will cost an estimated €11.5 million will be available for use for the start of the 2024 football season.

The delay in the handover is due to unforeseen delays by the contractor for some materials due to supply chain issues.

As reported previously in The Echo, the project was due to be finished last July but due to material issues, particularly seating, this has delayed the finishing of the stand.

Rovers will be boosted next year by the addition of the new fourth stand at the Tallaght bypass end of the grounds which will increase the capacity to a 10,000- seater.

The investment in Tallaght Stadium is approximately €11.5 million, with the works maintaining the stadium’s UEFA Category 4 status which will potentially allow the hosting of all European games, including group games for the Champions League or Europa League.

The largest attendance of the Airtricity League last season was at Tallaght Stadium where 8,021 saw Shamrock Rovers lift the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division title against Sligo Rovers.

For the first time, there were four SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division games with over 1,000 people at them while the biggest crowd to date was Shamrock Rovers v Peamount United with 1,464 at Tallaght Stadium.

According to South Dublin County Council: “The works will be substantially completed by mid-December, with some minor ancillary works still to be completed during early January 2024.

“The Contractor has had some unforeseen delays with some of the materials for the project, through delivery and supply chain issues, which has delayed the full completion of the Project.

“We anticipate the handover of the North Stand from the Contractor during January, 2024, with the works fully completed.

“The new Stand, and all the other improved facilities at the Stadium, will be fully available for use for the start of the 2024 football season.

“An official opening for the revamped venue will be organised and will be held at a suitable time and date to be arranged”.

The council also intends to use the stadium as a major concert and event centre, with the intention to host the first large-scale concert over the next 18 months.

The stadium was also home to a number of Ireland’s women’s soccer team home fixtures this year including the Nations League tournament and international friendlies.