Harold's Cross Stadium
Encyclopedia
Harold's Cross Stadium is a greyhound racing
stadium in the south Dublin city district of Harold's Cross, owned and operated by the Irish Greyhound Board
. In the late 1990s, major redevelopment work saw the venue transformed from a basic gambling driven venue to a fairly well known social event venue. It currently opens on Mondays, Tuesdays and, more popularly, Fridays. It is one of two greyhound racing stadiums in Dublin, with Shelbourne Park
being the other. The stadium was used for speedway racing in 1928.
. Brideville
played there for eleven seasons from 1929/30-1931/32 and from 1935/36-1942/43. Dolphin played there from 1932/33-1933/34. Transport
played there from 1951/52-1961/62, a total of eleven seasons.
More recently Shelbourne played at the stadium from 1975/76-1976/77 and again from 1982/83-1988/89 before moving to Tolka Park
. St Patrick's Athletic were the last League of Ireland club to play there regularly from 1989/90 up to November 1993, while work was being done to its Richmond Park
home. Due to the upgrade of facilities in Harolds Cross, it's highly unlikely football will be played there again.
Harold's Cross has had a number of notable matches. It staged one League of Ireland Cup Final when Limerick City beat St. Patrick's Athletic 2-0 in the 1992/93 decider, whilst the last League of Ireland match ever played in Harold's Cross was a home match for Galway United
. On the final weekend of the 1993/94 season, there was no available pitch in Galway
due to persistent torrential rain for their match with Shelbourne so the game was switched to Harold's Cross. Shels won the match 5-2 with Barry O'Connor grabbing a hat-trick. Shelbourne has also played home games at both Shelbourne Park and Harold's Cross Greyhound stadiums at various times in their history
Greyhound racing
Greyhound racing is the sport of racing greyhounds. The dogs chase a lure on a track until they arrive at the finish line. The one that arrives first is the winner....
stadium in the south Dublin city district of Harold's Cross, owned and operated by the Irish Greyhound Board
Bord na gCon
Bord na gCon ,abbreviated BnaC, is an Irish semi-state body charged with regulating and promoting greyhound racing in Ireland. The board has been active in developing the sport in Ireland since its founding in 1958, but has also drawn criticism for acting independently of the government.- History...
. In the late 1990s, major redevelopment work saw the venue transformed from a basic gambling driven venue to a fairly well known social event venue. It currently opens on Mondays, Tuesdays and, more popularly, Fridays. It is one of two greyhound racing stadiums in Dublin, with Shelbourne Park
Shelbourne Park
Shelbourne Park is a greyhound racing stadium in the south Dublin inner city suburb of Ringsend.The stadium also played host to the home matches of Shelbourne FC, who play in the League of Ireland, from 1913/14 up until 1948/49. The first match was a 1-1 draw against Bohemians and their last match...
being the other. The stadium was used for speedway racing in 1928.
Football
The stadium has also been used over the years by five football teams who were competing in the League of IrelandLeague of Ireland
The League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
. Brideville
Brideville FC
Brideville F.C. is a defunct Irish football club that was from the Liberties area of Dublin. They played in the League of Ireland from 1925 until 1932 and from 1935 until 1943, reappearing for the 1944/45 season. They initially played their home games in Richmond Park in Inchicore but moved to...
played there for eleven seasons from 1929/30-1931/32 and from 1935/36-1942/43. Dolphin played there from 1932/33-1933/34. Transport
Transport F.C.
Transport F.C. were a football club in Ireland who played in the League of Ireland for fourteen seasons from 1948/49 to 1961/62.During their time in the League of Ireland, Transport played their home matches for the first three seasons in the Carlisle Grounds in Bray, Co...
played there from 1951/52-1961/62, a total of eleven seasons.
More recently Shelbourne played at the stadium from 1975/76-1976/77 and again from 1982/83-1988/89 before moving to Tolka Park
Tolka Park
Tolka Park is an Irish football ground located in the north Dublin suburb of Drumcondra, on the northern banks of the River Tolka. It is currently the home ground of League of Ireland club Shelbourne...
. St Patrick's Athletic were the last League of Ireland club to play there regularly from 1989/90 up to November 1993, while work was being done to its Richmond Park
Richmond Park (football ground)
Richmond Park is a football stadium in Dublin, Ireland. It is the home ground for Irish football team St. Patricks Athletic of the League of Ireland. It is situated in the Dublin suburb of Inchicore...
home. Due to the upgrade of facilities in Harolds Cross, it's highly unlikely football will be played there again.
Harold's Cross has had a number of notable matches. It staged one League of Ireland Cup Final when Limerick City beat St. Patrick's Athletic 2-0 in the 1992/93 decider, whilst the last League of Ireland match ever played in Harold's Cross was a home match for Galway United
Galway United
Galway United F.C. was founded as Galway Rovers in 1937. They are a football club currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division, the top tier of the Irish football....
. On the final weekend of the 1993/94 season, there was no available pitch in Galway
Galway
Galway or City of Galway is a city in County Galway, Republic of Ireland. It is the sixth largest and the fastest-growing city in Ireland. It is also the third largest city within the Republic and the only city in the Province of Connacht. Located on the west coast of Ireland, it sits on the...
due to persistent torrential rain for their match with Shelbourne so the game was switched to Harold's Cross. Shels won the match 5-2 with Barry O'Connor grabbing a hat-trick. Shelbourne has also played home games at both Shelbourne Park and Harold's Cross Greyhound stadiums at various times in their history
External links
- Harolds Cross from Irish Greyhound Board official site