Shelbourne confirm move to Dalymount Park

Shelbourne FC has confirmed they will move to Dalymount Park upon the completion of the redevelopment the ground.

Shels have come to an agreement with Dublin City Council to surrender their interest in Tolka Park and in the course of the redevelopment will continue to play their home games at their current ground.

Shelbourne Chairman Joseph Casey said, “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. It has been our home for almost three decades and during these years the club enjoyed tremendous success there.”

Shels will end a long and storied history with Tolka Park and will begin a new era as they enter into a ground share with Bohemians.

Casey added, “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.”

Tolka Park has increasingly been subject to decay and Casey said, “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.”

Shels first aquired the lease of Tolka Park in 1989 and have enjoyed tremendous success there with many European and domestic success taking place at the ground.

The Reds are no strangers to Dalymount Park though having played many cup victories there and enjoyed memorable European matches there against Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Sporting Lisbon.

The redevelopment of Dalymount will begin after next season while both Bohemians and Shelbourne will play at Tolka Park during it’s construction.