Hoops get green light for Conference League home games in Tallaght

Tallaght Stadium hosted Europa League group games in 2011 when Shamrock Rovers first made the group stages

Tallaght Stadium hosted Europa League group games in 2011 when Shamrock Rovers first made the group stages Credit: Peter Fitzpatrick (ETPhotos)

On the eve of Shamrock Rovers’ second leg of their Europa League play-off, the club confirmed that should they qualify for the group stages of the Europa Conference League their home games will be played in Tallaght Stadium.

The club worked with the FAI, stadium owners South Dublin County Council (SDCC) and UEFA to get this approval. 

The Hoops trail 4-0 to Ferencvaros in the play-off so baring a miracle win over the Hungarian champions, they will drop into the Conference League group stages. The draw takes place in Istanbul this Friday lunchtime.

The club confirmed in a statement on Wednesday that:

‘UEFA has approved Shamrock Rovers' application to host home games at Tallaght Stadium should we participate in the 2022/23 UEFA Europa Conference League Group Stage. 

This is the outcome that our supporters and all at Shamrock Rovers F.C. were hoping for, and while the club will need to take on the cost of additional measures required to comply with UEFA Category 4 Stadium requirements, it’s a price worth paying to deliver on that wish.’

The stadium is currently under expansion and the club noted that ‘following the completion of the SDCC works on the North Stand and modifications to the Main Stand, the stadium will be Category 4 compliant without additional works from 2023.’

Cat 4 stadia are required to host Europa League and Conference League matches.

The fourth stand currently under construction will add 2,500 seats, bringing the venue up to a 10,500 capacity.The construction works includes refurbishment and alterations to the existing West (main) Stand include an upgrade to media facilities, and adjustments to the disabled seating in the South Stand. 

The new North Stand is larger than the existing 2,000 capacity south stand and will contain an additional 500 seats. The increased size will facilitate offices and commercial units and the design includes covered stairs at either side of the stand behind wing walls which will improve access and provide shelter. 



The contractor took possession of the site at the N81 end of the ground in May with foundation work for the new structure under construction. 

Ferencvaros didn’t train in the stadium in the usual manner on match day minus one. With a landing slot not available for them in Dublin, they trained in Budapest on Wednesday morning before flying to Shannon in the afternoon.

About Macdara Ferris

Macdara Ferris is a contributor since 2007 to Hoops Scene (Shamrock Rovers' match day programme) and is the co-author of two books on Shamrock Rovers - 'Tallaght Time: Shamrock Rovers 2009 to 2012' (with Karl … View Full Profile