Power Ranking League of Ireland Stadiums

Power Ranking League of Ireland Stadiums
John Dodge
By John Dodge
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The SSE Aitricity League lost its best stadium from 2014 with Limerick leaving Thomond Park.  Here's how we rank the 2015 League of Ireland stadiums.

1) Turners Cross - Cork City

17 October 2014; A general view of Turners Cross during the game. SSE Airtricity League Premier Division, Cork City v Bohemians. Turners Cross, Cork. Picture credit: Matt Browne / SPORTSFILE

4 sides, all covered, all seated. The best in the league by some distance.

2) Tallaght Stadium - Shamrock Rovers

14 May 2010; An aerial view of Tallaght Stadium. Dublin. Picture credit; Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE

Only 2 stands but they're both well appointed with decent facilities to match. Dublin's best LOI stadium will be even better when the rumoured 3rd stand is built.

3) Showgrounds - Sligo Rovers

13 October 2012; A general view before the start of the game. Airtricity League Premier Division, Sligo Rovers v St Patrick's Athletic, Showgrounds, Sligo. Picture credit: David Maher / SPORTSFILE

Only 3 sides but a fine main stand. Training facilities on the same grounds a bonus

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4) Eamonn Deacy Park - Galway United

A general view of Terryland Park. Airtricity League First Division, Mervue United v Salthill Devon, Terryland Park, Galway. Picture credit: Ray McManus / SPORTSFILE

A terrific main stand which made a welcome return to the LOI last year

5) Richmond Park - St Patrick's Athletic

An aerial view of Richmond Park, Inchicore. Dublin. Picture credit; Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE

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Plenty of faults in Richmond but having 4 sides open for big games is a big plus.

6) Dalymount Park - Bohemians

A general view of Dalymount Park, Phibsborough, Dublin. Picture credit: David Maher / SPORTSFILE

The self-styled home of Irish football isn't what it used to be but the Jodi Stand alone bumps it up here. Plans are afoot to bring it back to life.

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7) RSC - Waterford United

 A general view of the game. U19 International Friendly, Republic of Ireland v Slovenia, RSC, Waterford. Picture credit: Diarmuid Greene / SPORTSFILE

The running track hurts but 2 nice stands now in the RSC

8) City Calling Stadium - Longford Town

A Construction worker finishes the installation of seating at Flancare Park, Longford, after UEFA gave the go ahead for the match between Longford town and FC Liteks Lovech. Soccer. Picture credit; David Maher / SPORTSFILE *EDI*

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The 'Flansiro' is all seater but 3/4 of that is open to the elements.  Being in the middle of nowhere is a hassle too.

9) Athlone Town Stadium - Athlone Town

A general view of Lissywollen Stadium. Men's U17 European Championship Qualifier, Republic of Ireland v Greece, Lissywollen Stadium, Athlone, Co. Westmeath. Picture credit; Paul Mohan / SPORTSFILE

Basically one stand in the new ground, but it's a very good one.

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10) Tolka Park - Shelbourne

A general view of Lissywollen Stadium. Men's U17 European Championship Qualifier, Republic of Ireland v Greece, Lissywollen Stadium, Athlone, Co. Westmeath. Picture credit; Paul Mohan / SPORTSFILE

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The former jewel in the LOI has fallen into severe disrepair. It may not be open much longer.

11) Brandywell - Derry City

General view of the Brandywell Stadium, home of Derry City FC. FAI Ford Cup, Quarter-Final replay, Derry City v Drogheda United. Brandywell, Derry. Picture credit: Oliver McVeigh / SPORTSFILE

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One big curved stand is it's best feature. A dog track with traps blocking view of some is it's worst.

12) St Colman's Park - Cobh Ramblers

Cobh-Ramblers

Home of the best little stand behind a goal in the league.

13) Oriel Park - Dundalk

A general view of Oriel Park. Airtricity League Premier Division, Dundalk v Shamrock Rovers, Oriel Park, Dundalk, Co. Louth. Picture credit: David Maher / SPORTSFILE

The home of the Champions is also home to the worst away section in the league

14) United Park - Drogheda United

A general view of Hunky Dorys Park. FAI Ford Cup, Semi-Final, Drogheda United v Dundalk, Hunky Dorys Park, Drogheda, Co. Louth. Picture credit: Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE

Maybe the most disjointed/throw together stadium in the league

15) Carlisle Grounds - Bray Wanderers

A general view of the Carlisle Grounds. eircom League of Ireland Premier Division, Bray Wanderers v Cobh Ramblers, Carlisle Grounds, Bray, Co. Wicklow. Picture credit: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE

The coldest stadium in Ireland is made up of a pop-up stand, an uncovered stand and a grassy hill

16) Ferrycarrig - Wexford Youths

Credit - wexfordyouthsfc.ie http://www.wexfordyouthsfc.ie/gallery/64-various-random

A nice junior set up with a clubhouse that sells pasta and wine. Another pop up stand.

17) Belfield Bowl - UCD

A general view of the UCD Bowl. FAI Ford Cup, 2nd Round, UCD v Galway, UCD Bowl, Belfield, Dublin. Picture credit: Piaras Ó Mídheach / SPORTSFILE

One stand, some of which is covered. Still better than the old Belfield Park.

18) Finn Park - Finn Harps

17 September 2014; General views of Finn Park, home of Finn Harps FC. FAI Ford Cup Quarter-Final Replay, Finn Harps v Avondale United. Finn Park, Ballybofey, Co. Donegal. Picture credit: Oliver McVeigh / SPORTSFILE

A few seats in a barn and the rest of it terraced. They're moving soon and the plans look good.

19) Jackman Park - Limerick

12 April 2014; A general view of Jackman Park. FAI Junior Cup Semi-Final, sponsored by Aviva and Umbro, Ballynanty Rovers, Limerick v Collinstown FC, Neilstown, Co. Dublin.Jackman Park, Limerick. Picture credit: Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE

At least it has some seats and its close to the train station. We'll rank Market's Field when we see it.

20) Stradbrook - Cabinteely FC

A general view of the action at Stradbrook Road. Ulster Bank League Division 1A, Blackrock v Young Munster, Stradbrook Road, Blackrock, Dublin. Picture credit: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE

Blackrock College's ground has no seats and no cover. It does have a bar though.

We ranked them based on spectator comforts and amenities. Playing surface didn't come into it. Disagree? Let us know

SEE ALSO:Can You Identify These League of Ireland Stadiums From Space 

 

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