NewsAfter 17 years of a nomadic existence, Shamrock Rovers finally look set to have a home of their own by the end of 2005 as the 9-million investment by property developer Conor Clarkson looks set to see work resuming on their vacant Tallaght stadium in January.
Longford-based builder PJ McLaughlin is expected to have the 4,000 capacity west stand in place within 12 months and when that is completed Rovers chairman Tony Maguire is confidant matches can be played at their new ground.
"It's now a realistic goal to be playing football in Tallaght by the end of 2005. The pitch is perfect and once phase one of the planning is complete we can start playing."
The investment will also go towards floodlights but the next phase, the east stands and spectator facilities behind either goal, are still a long way off.
However, Maguire is understandably basking in their current, long overdue, positive news. False dawns have been the norm for the club in recent years.
"Yes, they have," continued Maguire, "but this is a very significant day for the club and we were most pleased to get Conor Clarkson to agree to become a shareholder of the club as well. To get a guy of this stature to invest money into Shamrock Rovers means the stadium can be finished."
A formal date has yet to be set with the builders to restart work, while plans must be put in place to purchase the lease off current holders Mullen International. Part of Clarkson's investment has been put aside for this purpose.
Also, partial funding is also available for investment into the club itself, although Maguire would not stipulate which areas or how much.
Rovers have been without a home of their own since 1987, when they sold their land in Milltown on the southside of Dublin. Since then they have been tenants of various clubs and are currently residing at Richmond Park, Inchicore, home to St Patrick's Athletic.
During this period their on-field success has diminished. This season they sacked manager Liam Buckley and currently lie second last in the National League, although relegation is unlikely as they are 10 points clear of bottom club Dublin City with five games to play.
Clarkson, a Dublin businessman who owns a number of race horses, has been in negotiations with the club since July of last year and it seems he is in for the long haul.
"It is a long-term deal in the case that he has to stay for a long time to reap any return and see the generation of any revenue stream from his investment," added Maguire.
