A GROUP OF Shelbourne supporters staged a protest against their move to Dalymount Park during their final league game against Waterford United at Tolka Park on Saturday.
Banners expressing dissatisfaction were unfurled during the game and flares were launched onto the pitch as supporters sang songs opposing the move to the Phibsborough venue.
The Drumcondra club are set to share Dalymount Park with their city rivals Bohemians, a club long associated with the north Dublin stadium, after reaching an agreement with Dublin City Council.
“The decision to leave Tolka was a difficult one for both the Directors of Shelbourne FC Ltd and for the Board of Management of the Club,” Shelbourne chairman Joseph Casey said in a statement at the beginning of October. ”It has been our home for almost three decades and during these years the Club enjoyed tremendous success there.
“Both the Directors and the Club’s Board of Management are united in the view that the time is right to start planning a move to pastures new. Tolka Park is increasingly showing its age and there was no prospect of attracting investment to redevelop.”
Casey added that the redevelopment of Dalymount “heralds a new dawn” for football in the northside of Dublin. ”We look forward to working with Bohemian FC and while remaining foes on the pitch, hope to work tirelessly off it to ensure the project ahead is a success,” said the Shels chairman.
The protest took place during the final game of the season, which Shelbourne lost 1-0 to Waterford United. The club subsequently finished the First Division season in sixth position.
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