SOCCER/National League: Dalymount Park is set to be re-christened as Bohemians seek new ways of generating the money required to sustain the club's full-time playing set-up, writes Emmet Malone Soccer correspondent.
Club secretary Gerry Cuffe yesterday denied the move to sell naming rights for the ground will damage its long-standing tradition, insisting "the stadium will always be known as Dalymount Park or "Dalyer" to our supporters. But this is a move that could generate a six-figure sum annually and we feel that there are a lot of companies out there that would view ours as a strong and attractive brand to work with."
Bohemians have already agreed a deal with Des Kelly Interiors to extend that association for a further two years. Cuffe declined to reveal the value of the deal but said its was "a significant, six-figure one".
At yesterday's press conference in Phibsboro, player/manager Gareth Farrelly also unveiled former Wimbledon and Carlisle United player Des Byrne, who has signed for the club from St Patrick's Athletic. The versatile Dubliner has had an eventful career but has for a variety of reasons failed to live up to the tremendous promise he showed as a teenager.
Athlone Town's Paddy McCaul, meanwhile, is expected to be elected chairman of the Eircom League at a meeting in Dublin this evening. If confirmed in the post, McCaul will serve until the organisation's a.g.m. in January, at which point the position will be filled on a long-term basis.
Delegates will also decide on the format for next season's league, with the Premier Division, having been restored to 12 teams, expected to revert to its three-round system.
Club officials will have to decide whether the First Division campaign is to involve three or four rounds of games.
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