Sport

The grounds for optimism in bringing dream to reality

Scotland already has four grounds ready as part of the 2008 bid, while the FAI need two stadiums

Fri Mar 01 2002 - 00:00

Scotland already has four grounds ready as part of the 2008 bid, while the FAI need two stadiums. Here is a guide to the grounds likely to be involved:

LANSDOWNE ROAD - Capacity: 35,000. Has become a focal point for football and rugby union in Ireland - acting as a home for both national teams. Owned by the IRFU, the ground would need some work before 2008 for safety requirements but has hosted several major events.

CROKE PARK - Capacity: 79,500 (after redevelopment). The home of Gaelic sports has not welcomed the presence of other sports but will be by far the biggest stadium in the bid as it stands. Rebuilt at an approximate cost of €200 million, Croke Park is the major venue in Ireland.

CAMPUS ISLAND - Capacity: 65,000 (Proposed). Dubbed the 'Bertie Bowl' after Bertie Ahern, the new stadium in Dublin has been at the centre of a major political row over spiralling costs. The original capacity was set for 80,000 before lack of finance saw the Abbotstown project slashed to a 65,000 limit.

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PARKHEAD - Capacity: 60,506 (All seated). The home of Celtic is the biggest football stadium in Scotland and has been used for crucial internationals and for major concerts.

IBROX - Capacity: 50,444 (All seated). Rangers' ground has enjoyed several memorable nights of European action and has also staged most of Scotland's Euro 96 qualifiers along with cup finals.

HAMPDEN PARK - Capacity: 52,000 (All seated). Completely overhauled in design by 1999 and is the focal point of the joint bid with the first and final matches to be played there. There has been some concern over the pitch, although that problem should be rectified by 2008 if the bid is successful. Recently secured the 2003 World Bowl final for gridiron and has hosted several big-name concerts.

MURRAYFIELD - Capacity: 67,500. The huge Edinburgh stadium has been the home of Scottish Rugby Union since 1925. Concerts have featured highly at the ground with U2 and Oasis both recently playing.

ABERDEEN - Capacity: New stadium. The Dons have proposed a new stadium to be built in the Kingswells area of the city to replace Pittodrie.

HIBERNIAN - Capacity: 17,500 (All seated). Easter Road will need redeveloping to take the capacity up to the 30,000 required by UEFA, but has recently had a face-lift to the main stand.

DUNDEE - Capacity: New stadium. Dundee and Dundee United are both keen to develop a new shared stadium for Euro 2008, with both Dens Park and Tannadice getting run down.