Delaney sees new Dalymount as Ireland’s Euro 2020 legacy

A redeveloped Dalymount Park being shared by Bohemians and Shelbourne — that’s John Delaney’s vision of what would constitute part of the legacy of Dublin’s hosting of games at the Euro 2020 finals.

In the immediate afterglow of the capital city being named one of the hosts for the tournament in six years’ time, the FAI boss revealed his hopes for a new life for the former national stadium which was once, as he put it, “the soul of Irish football”.

With their respective home grounds of Dalymount and Tolka Park in varying states of disrepair, it’s believed that Bohemians and Shelbourne have previously held informal discussions about a possible ground share, and Delaney yesterday indicated he now intends to actively push for that outcome.

“I’d like to see Dalymount house two League of Ireland clubs, Bohemians and possibly Shelbourne as well,” he said.

“It’s been a dream of mine for many, many years, and I think out of any hosting of a major tournament, there should be a legacy.

“And Dalymount Park, the soul of Irish football, being redeveloped and kept in football, is something that personally I’m hugely committed to and something I will pursue over the coming weeks and months.

“First of all, we’ve got to deal collectively with the debt Bohemians have with their particular bank and I would be hoping that something could be resolved there, in terms of a commitment from all parties.

“I would love if we could get Dalymount Park out of debt and be redeveloped for 2020. I’ve already spoken to Government and city council about that.

“But there’s a matter of the debt that’s owed to be dealt with and that’s something we’re trying to actively pursue over the coming weeks.”