Future of Donnybrook: Connacht coach Michael Bradley described Leinster's pitch as "Donnybrook beach" last Sunday, but the grassless surface is facing an increase in games after chief executive Mick Dawson confirmed the RDS Showgrounds would be unavailable next season.
The RDS have applied for lottery funding for a new surface, floodlights and permanent seating to be installed ahead of the annual Horse Show in August 2007.
"We are hoping the RDS won't start the redevelopment until next January so we can play some Heineken Cup group matches there but it does have to be finished by August 2007," said Dawson.
In order to avoid a repeat of the current situation - where the Donnybrook surface has become a joke among visiting professional teams, including Irish provinces - the number of schools cup matches at the venue will need to be significantly reduced.
"The two clubs (Old Wesley and Bective Rangers RFC) play on it every Saturday and Sunday so our only option appears to be a reduction in schools games and to get the mini-rugby off the pitch," said Dawson.
"We will sit down and talk to the two clubs and the schools. Schools matches are already played at other grounds around Leinster anyway."
Farming out schools games to reduced-capacity venues around the city like Lakelands, Templeville Road or Stradbrook has obvious financial implications for the Leinster Branch. There is also the health and safety issue of club grounds trying to cope with coach-loads of teenagers.
Since January, Donnybrook has held almost 40 schools cup matches. Add at least two club games every weekend, along with home Celtic League fixtures, and you get an idea of the punishment inflicted on the surface.
The current embarrassment has occurred despite the Branch investing €500,000 on the two Donnybrook pitches last summer.
"It is disappointing the way it lost its grass," Dawson continued.
"Those who laid it last summer have assured us that its holding power will be greatly improved after it has four months of growth from May to August. Last year it only had two months of growth in the lead-in. They have also have assured us no more money needs to be spent."
If the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road begins next year, Leinster could be forced to hold all their matches, including the lucrative European Cup pool stages, at the 6,000-capacity Donnybrook, almost cutting in half the financial windfall generated by this season's move to the RDS Showgrounds.
Leinster's long-term financial stability suffered last year when An Bord Pleanála rejected plans for the modernisation of Donnybrook, which was to include new clubhouses, a vastly improved stand and the contentious issue of apartment blocks at either end.
Dawson admitted redevelopment plans have been shelved for at least 12 months.
"There is a lot of behind-the-scenes activities going on but with Lansdowne Road redevelopment planned for early 2007 and the RDS out of action we are mindful that some stadium needs to stay open.
"We still have to come to a land-swap deal (the waste ground behind Old Wesley RFC) with Dublin City Council. Also, part of the redevelopment agreement was to build a walkway (along the river Dodder to Ballsbridge). I don't expect any further development until March 2007."
