League authorities say Galway United knew of potential clash in April
Tribesmen have had to move this evening’s league clash with Dundalk to Turners Cross in Cork
Galway United host Dundalk in the Premier Division tonight as the league resumes after he midseason break - but the 'home' game will take place more than 200kms away in a different county . . . even a different province.
The Tribesmen have opted to play the game at Turners Cross in Cork - btu according to league officials, if the club hadn't dragged its feet back in April when it knew of a potential problem with the game, it could have selected a ground closer to home.
When the fixture list was released in December, United knew that they would be playing the game with Dundalk away from Eamonn Deacy Park, which is undergoing major drainage and pitch replacement works, the first time since the original pitch was laid 32 years ago for such work to be taking place.
United received approval from the Galway AGA to move its games for June and July to Pearse Stadium in Salthill, but when the county's senior Gaelic footballers were drawn to host Westmeath in the All-Ireland series this weekend, the GAA ground became unavailable.
United said this week that Dundalk had been asked to postpone the game, to move it to Monday night (when Pearse Stadium would be available) or to reverse fixtures, but the Louth club rejected all proposals.
As a result, United said it was forced to move the game to Cork when it weighed up what grounds were available after other proposals it made were also turned down.
The home of the Munster FA is set to become the seventh venue to host a Galway United senior men's competitive fixture
It had suggested playing the game behind closed doors, which was never a viable option; as well as moving it to the grounds Castlebar Celtic, which hosted an FAI Cup game last season.
However, Celtic Park does not have a Premier Division licence, so that was a non-runner. Other local venues were also believed to have been ruled out due to licensing (Crowley Park) or logistical (Dexcom Stadium) issues, while the club said both markets Field in Limerick and Bishopstown in Longford were both unavailable.
That left it with the options of Athlone, Sligo, or two grounds in Dublin, believed to have been Belfield Bowl or Dalymount Park. Given that Dundalk play on an artificial surface, the club ruled out playing in Athlone. Health and safety issues are believed to have ruled out The Showgrounds, following incidents during the club's recent 4-1 win at the venue; and playing in Dublin was an obvious non-runner given its proximity to the Lilywhites.
Someone from within the United group then suggested Turners Cross, which means the home of the Munster FA is set to become the seventh venue to host a Galway United senior men's competitive fixture, joining Eamonn Deacy Park and Harold’s Cross, the rugby venues The Sportsground and Crowley Park, and the GAA grounds of An Cheathru Rua and Ballinderreen.
However, according to the League of Ireland offices, it was informed in April that there might be an availability issue this weekend, and for next weekend's game with Derry City.
It says Galway United asked both clubs at the time to reverse the fixtures, which both refused to do. The league says it then informed United that the games would have to be played as scheduled, and that postponements were not an option.
United were also apparently advised at that time to submit details of alternative venues to the league authorities, but despite "multiple communications" on the matter, no alternative venues were submitted.
It is also understood that at least one, if not both, of The Market’s Field and Bishopstown could potentially have been put on stand-by for tonight by United when question marks first arose over Pearse Stadium.
The club is putting on subsidised buses for supports this afternoon, while the Derry City game has been confirmed for Salthill next Friday (7.45pm).
The other games confirmed for Pearse Stadium are the visit of Sligo Rovers on Saturday July 11 (5pm); and Waterford a fortnight later on Saturday July 25 (5pm).
The league did confirm to City Sport that it received a request from United for specific opposition for games at Pearse Stadium before this season's fixture list was drawn up but claims the impact that would have on the overall fixtures calendar meant that request had to be turned down.
City Sport understands that Shamrock Rovers had agreed in recent weeks to reverse fixtures in order to play at Pearse Stadium in a fortnight's time, but the league blocked the change.
For more, see this week's Galway City Tribune.