Door left ajar for Rovers

Tallaght Stadium: The Tallaght-based GAA club Thomas Davis are unlikely to object to Shamrock Rovers playing in Tallaght stadium…

Tallaght Stadium:The Tallaght-based GAA club Thomas Davis are unlikely to object to Shamrock Rovers playing in Tallaght stadium next season should South Dublin County Council (SDCC) accept the soccer's club's latest proposals.

David Kennedy, spokesman for Thomas Davis, said he would have "no problem" with Shamrock Rovers playing at the Whitestown Way venue next season.

But that, he stressed, would strictly be on condition Rovers' yet-to-be-approved proposals did not prejudice the High Court challenge to the development of the council-funded stadium for the playing of soccer only.

Rovers, for their part, say their proposals will not prejudice court proceedings.

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Kennedy said: "I'm not that familiar with the details that are being proposed and clearly because of that it is difficult for us to comment. Having said that, in principle if an approach can be found to allow Shamrock Rovers play in the stadium next year without prejudicing our legal position I don't think we'd have any difficulty with it. I presume they (Rovers) would want to respect the legal procedure in that regard as well."

SDCC are considering an FAI-backed initiative by Shamrock Rovers that could see builders return to the idle site and prepare the stadium for use next season.

These proposals, outlined yesterday, focus on the completion of the existing main stand and the addition of temporary seating.

Rovers believe the erection of such seats would not be in breach of the terms stipulated by Mr Justice O'Neill when awarding the judicial review.

Rovers board members have scheduled a meeting with councillors next Tuesday.

Kennedy said he would welcome a meeting with his counterparts at Rovers and SDCC to discuss latest developments.

"We clearly have to sit down and talk to them about what's involved," he said. "I'm surprised it's been relayed through the media as we'd be happy to sit down and see what can be done . . . let's all get into a room and see if we can find a way to move this forward."

Shamrock Rovers and Thomas Davis officials met face to face in May, a meeting the soccer club described as "very useful".

The Rovers chairman, Jonathan Roche, wrote to the Thomas Davis chairman, Christopher O'Donnell, on July 2nd and said yesterday. "We responded fairly comprehensively and would welcome a response to the letter we sent."