After six years of blood sweat and tears , the new home of Irish Soccer and Rugby opened it’s doors to the public. Taoiseach Brian Cowen cut the red ribbon and all who witnessed it roared in celebration as Ireland now have a stadium they can call their own.
FAI boss John Delaney said: ” This is a historic day for Irish football. We have built our very own Colosseum”.
Others to attend the ceremony were IRFU boss John Callaghan, RTE pundit Johnny Giles, broadcasting legend Jimmy Magee, Ex- Players Packie Bonner, Ray Houghton scorer of many of the Republic’s incredible goals including the winners against England in Euro ’88 and Italy in the States in the 1994 World Cup Finals.
Also in attendence was the Godfather of Irish Soccer Giovanni Trapattoni who declared the stadium, “Bellissimo”.
The stadium has a capacity of just under 51,000, costing over £400 milion.
10,000 seats at premium level, 1,300 box seats and 36 corporate boxes seating 850. It will also cater for 230 wheel-chair users.
Facilities include warm-up rooms and state of the art treatment rooms.
There will be 150 CCTV camera’s in operation.
Three Restaurants who can feed 1,500 hungry punters.
And finally, 69 kiosks and bars which will serve 90,000 pints from 1,000 kegs.
The first supporters will dispence into the stadium on June 31, when a friendly rugby match between Munster/Connaght take on Leinster/Ulster.
The first soccer match to be played at the stadium will be on July 4 , when Manchester United take on a Airtricity League selection.
