Shamrock Rovers are building a new 7v7 Astro pitch at their Roadstone training ground. The 3,600 square metre artificial surface is designed to provide more training time for the club's growing academy and for specialised goalkeeper sessions.
Topsoil has been stripped and construction is in progress on the full turnkey project. Work includes installing drainage, building the pitch base, adding kerbing and ball stop netting, and upgrading the existing floodlights to energy-efficient LED systems.
Funding and timeline
Funding for the development comes from the Shamrock Rovers member’s club and the weekly club Lotto, which together have generated approximately €115,000. A sports capital grant of €108,704 is also contributing to the project. The club aims to have the pitch ready for play by mid-November.
Brendan Dawson is driving the project with full support from the Member’s board. "The project has been driven by Brendan Dawson with the full support of the Member’s board," he said.
The development addresses an acute shortage of training space when grass pitches are unplayable due to weather. It is part of broader ongoing infrastructural plans for the Roadstone venue.
This off-field progress comes as the first team prepares for a key home match. Shamrock Rovers sit third in the Premier Division with 59 points from 31 games, having won their last four matches. The team now prepares to host Drogheda United at Tallaght Stadium this Friday. The new pitch is scheduled to be ready for use by the middle of next month.
Read the full report at Shamrock Rovers.ie
