THERE is every possibility that Tallaght Stadium will host both Shamrock Rovers and St Patrick's Athletic as regular tenants in the near future. Rovers are already guaranteed 40 games there per annum, and St Pat's have discussed the issue with their patrons and have agreed that "the principle of groundsharing is not a bad one."

The original planning permission, which was granted by An Bord Pleanala in 2000, had restrictions on the days on which games could be played - Saturday, Sunday and public or church holidays - and the amount of mid-week games - six in a year.

Under those conditions, groundsharing was not viable, but the council's Director of Economic Development Jim Walsh said yesterday that since the council has taken over the stadium, the original planning permission has gone.

"As a local authority, we operate under a 'Part 8', and have gone through all the procedures, so we have a new permission to develop the stadium and we don't have any of the previous restrictions. That said, the permission is only to complete the stadium, and as the work is being done, the council will put in place a management plan for the stadium.

"We will look at the uses and frequency of use of the pitch - we don't want to ruin the pitch. We have only guaranteed Shamrock Rovers up to 40 games per annum, enough for a League season, a good Cup run and hopefully some European matches.

"So no club would play more than 40 games. We are also hoping that the FAI will arrange some underage international matches here."

The contractors are expected to move in to the stadium at the end of May. Phase One, which is the completion of the stand and the dressing-rooms and other rooms around it, is due to be finished in January or February, in time for the start of the 2007 eircom League season.

The council will operate the stadium, but Shamrock Rovers have been offered a quarter-acre site beside it to build their own clubhouse, thus giving them autonomy. "They haven't responded to that offer yet," said Walsh, "but then they are only finding their feet after nearly going out of business."

According to Walsh, "the council want the stadium to be sustainable. We don't want it to be a burden on the tax-payer, we want it to be self-financing."

"We haven't been asked yet to do a groundshare," added Walsh, "but we are aware that it is part of the FAI's strategy. No one has approached us, and they would have to negotiate with us.

"If St Pat's and the FAI came along tomorrow morning we would be happy to go along with them. We want a live stadium and plenty of use for it. We don't want a white elephant. We want multiple use."

Stephen Connolly, Secretary / Manager of St Patrick's Athletic, gave a cautious welcome to the idea. "The general idea of groundsharing makes sense. There are a lot of advantages, such as better facilities. However, in Tallaght, there are a lot of bridges to be crossed before we can put it to our fans as a viable option."

Friday night is football night for the Inchicore club and its fans, and the original planning permission ruled out Friday football in Tallaght. The fact that this doesn't pertain any longer may help to move Pat's towards the FAI strategy.

Already they have had a meeting with their supporter patrons, where the move to Tallaght was discussed. "The general feeling was that it was an interesting idea, but we wouldn't move until we know that it's better than what we have," said Connolly.

Next Fixture

vs DERRY CITY

Date: May 22nd (7:45pm)
Competition: League
Venue: Ryan McBride Brandywell Stad
  Tweet #stpatsfc

Team	Pld	Pts
Shamrock Rovers	17	34
St Patrick's Athletic	17	31
Bohemian FC	17	26
Dundalk	17	25
Shelbourne	16	21
Derry City	17	20
Drogheda United	16	19
Galway United	15	17
Sligo Rovers	16	16
Waterford FC	16	7