Limerick FC bid to buy Market’s Field

LIMERICK FC have made an official bid to purchase the Market’s Field in an effort to return senior soccer to it’s spiritual home.
Leader Sport has learned that a bid has been received by the Irish Greyhound Board for the Mulgrave Street venue which was last home to senior soccer 25 years ago.
A spokesperson for the Greyhound Board confirmed that they had received a financial offer for the Market’s Field stadium.
It is understood that there have been a number of expressions of interest since the announcement last year that the Greyhound Stadium would be moving to a new site on the Dock Road.
“This latest development is a serious bid, but we are at a very early stage and we have an obligation to our own sport to only sell the site in the current climate so long as a fair price is being offered,” explained Adrian Neilan, Chief Executive Officer of the Irish Greyhound Board.
“That said we understand that talks may be taking place between the bidders, Limerick City Council and the FAI. If there was a positive outcome to these talks, and the council felt that supporting such a project was in the best interests of our sporting city, the Irish Greyhound Board would be pleased to sell to buyers who would maintain the sporting heritage of the site,” said Neilan.
Meanwhile Cllr Kevin Kiely, the Mayor of Limerick, has called on the Irish Greyhound Board to show “good will” and give the backers of Limerick FC a long-term lease on the Market’s Field for a nominal fee.
“I would call on Bord na gCon to give Limerick FC a long-term lease for a nominal figure of €1 per year. I know it’s a commercial venture for Bord na gCon, but they are funded by the taxpayer,” Mayor Kevin Kiely told the Limerick Leader.
“The Market’s Field will not be ever used for anything other than sport,” the Mayor confirmed.
“I think a gesture like that from Bord na gCon would create great goodwill and would be a big gesture to soccer in Limerick and to the people of Limerick,” said Mayor Kiely.
“I have been in negotiations with Pat O’Sullivan, who has taken over the reins of Limerick FC, and I know that Pat is anxious to return soccer to the Market’s Field,” said the Mayor.
The Irish Greyhound Board hope that the sale of the Market’s Field and their headquarters in Henry St. would off-set the cost of construction of their new stadium.
The new greyhound stadium on Limerick’s Dock Road is located on the old racecourse site at Greenpark and is expected to open in September 2010.
Following delivery of the steel girders last month, building work has gathered pace and is now well over ground on the grandstand with office buildings and clearly visible to passing traffic.
The new greyhound stadium is to cost €18 million and promises to create 100 permanent jobs and will host over 1,750 races a year and have a capacity attendance of 2,900.
The state-of-the-art facility will feature a main stand with viewing and dining areas as well as a number of bars.
The stadium will boast a 190 seat restaurant, private hospitality suites and gallery bars.

Jerome O’Connell