Members of the Drumcondra community far and wide are coming together in an effort to save the future of Tolka Park.
The Richmond Road venue faces an uncertain future and locals are fearful that it will be sold to private developers instead of being used to enhance the community after it was sold in 2006.
League of Ireland side Shelbourne FC will be moving to Dalymount Park in nearby Phibsborough and the Save Tolka Park campaign hopes to stop the demolition of the iconic ground.
They will be releasing a proposal on June 10 when the campaign is officially launched and a petition has been created which has already garnered thousands of signatures.
The petition says: "Tolka Park is one of Ireland’s most significant sites of sporting culture and history. Since 1924, the stadium has been enmeshed in the cultural life and sporting traditions of Dublin City. As a stadium, Tolka has a proud legacy; hosting the first floodlit football match in the Republic of Ireland in 1953, being the venue for the first televised League of Ireland game in 1996/7, and becoming the first all-seater stadium in domestic football in 1999.
"Tolka Park is, and always has been an asset to Irish football and to the local community – acting as a home for Drumcondra FC, Home Farm FC and since 1989, Shelbourne. It has hosted games at every level, from local and junior football, right up to the top European competitions.
"The Save Tolka Park Campaign is a coalition of local residents, football fans and activists united in opposition to the sale of the stadium to private developers. We believe, that with the right investment and planning, Tolka Park can be rejuvenated as an asset to the community – hosting football at every level, while also acting as a community hub with additional amenities for local people.
"We have a proposal, launching on June 10th, that sets out how this can be achieved and we are appealing to you to help us make these plans a reality. As City councillors and the Minister responsible, we are asking you to act to protect an irreplaceable part of our sporting history, and to ensure that Tolka Park continues as a backdrop for dreams and memories for years to come."
You can out more about the petition here and the campaign here.
