Bohemians boss Keith Long feels the redevelopment of Dalymount Park can’t happen soon enough.
Bohs and Shelbourne meet in the league tonight for the first time in seven years, but while the two clubs haven’t had a great deal of crossover in the meantime, that is all set to change.
The Gypsies are moving into Tolka Park for two years from the start of the 2022 season and will then share the new-look Dalymount with Shels from 2024.
Long said: "Crowds, season tickets, memberships are up at Dalymount and that's well-documented.
“But the capacity issues at Dalymount are a problem for us now. When I first came into the club, that would never have been a concern.
“What we need to do is get after this new Dalymount and make sure this project happens for the area and for both clubs.
“In order for us to progress as a club we need a modern, fit-for-purpose stadium that can accommodate larger crowds.
“I have a vision and the club has a plan and at the head of that is the new Dalymount.
“A stadium where we won't have anybody talking about the pitch and that we have a fit for purpose pitch that hopefully helps the team play a little better at times.”
In the midst of Storm Dennis, the Dalymount surface took a battering on the opening weekend of the season against Shamrock Rovers.
And Long admits it won’t be in great shape for tonight’s derby
He said: “The pitch looks good from the side but when you're down at ground level it's quite difficult.”
