‘Breathtaking’ Dunne donation boosts Hoops

SHAMROCK ROVERS could play their last three Premier Division games of the season in November at their new Tallaght stadium after top businessman Ben Dunne yesterday invested a staggering €2m in the Dublin club.

Dunne, who owns Westpoint Health and Fitness centre in Blanchardstown will also build a state of the art leisure and sports centre - including a 50 metre swimming pool - behind one of the new stadium’s goalmouths.

Incorporated in this building will be a 2,000 seater stand with an all-weather jogging track also to be built around the pitch. The Rovers players will have full use of the new centre for training purposes. It is expected that up to 1,000 people per day will use the new facility.

No major problems are envisaged regarding financial needs, planning permission or approval from Dublin County Council.

“This will be a state of the art stadium eventually catering for 5,500 fans. Temporary seating may be erected on one side of the ground. The whole deal was sorted out in three weeks. This is a breath-taking day for Shamrock Rovers,” said Hoops chairman Tony Maguire yesterday.

“Ben Dunne has taken us over the finishing line in our bid to complete the construction of the stadium. Work could be underway in June and we are delighted there has been so much goodwill in the area,” said Maguire.

Rovers will continue to pursue other fund-raising activities as they seek a first home of their own since departing their beloved Milltown in 1986. Since then they have operated at Tolka Park, Dalymount Park, the RDS, Morton Stadium and Richmond Park. But the Tallaght dream now looks like coming closer to reality.

*Limerick side Fairview Rangers will be all out to retain their Statoil FAI Junior Cup when they take on experienced North Dublin side Portmarnock in tomorrow’s decider at Tolka Park (3pm).

Fairview will be anxious to repeat last year’s triumph when they defeated St.Michael’s Tipperary in the final.