A group of football fans, local residents, and community activists have come together to fight Dublin City Council's plans to sell Tolka Park to private developers.
The Save Tolka Park campaign are battling to keep 'public land for public use’ and turn the stadium into a shared communal institution that would include a gym, crèche, café, enterprise centre, and public toilets.
The group have been campaigning on all fronts to save the spiritual home of Shelbourne FC. Over 3,500 people have signed an online petition to preserve the old ground, while a public meeting on Thursday was attended by hundreds of people from across Ireland.
Lee Daly, a member of the steering group for the campaign, says that the ground is an important heritage site that needs to be preserved for future generations.
"We’re all united to save Tolka Park and keep the stadium under public ownership," he said, "We believe that public land is for public use and we want to make sure that a stadium is retained on the Tolka Park site."
"Micheál Martin said on Off The Ball a few weeks ago that we need to value amenity land more. It’s up to him and the government to show that they are serious about that.
"Obviously we need housing but everyone needs a place to play, a place to exercise, and a place to get healthy.
"We have a detailed proposal for how this can be done. Our proposed refurbishment of the stadium will provide amenities to the community and provide an accessible football stadium for many years to come. This could all be done in an affordable way.
"We also believe that we need to look beyond the value of things. Tolka Park is priceless. It is an important part of the heritage of the city and once it’s gone, it is gone."
Dublin City Council took control of the stadium in 2016 as part of a deal which would see Shelbourne move into a redeveloped Dalymount Park and share the venue with Bohemians.
This would end Shelbourne’s residency in Tolka Park, which began in 1989 when they acquired the ground’s lease from Home Farm.
Moving to Drumcondra sparked a resurgence for the Reds, who went on to dominant Irish football in the 1990s and early 2000s. In a 14-year spell, Shelbourne lifted six Premier Division titles, four FAI Cups, four LFA President’s Cups, and one League of Ireland Cup.
Tolka Park is also famous for big European moments such as Dave Rodger’s sublime strike against Hadjuk Split which sent Shelbourne through to the play-off round of the Champions League in 2004.
The stadium in the back of a housing estate is littered with memories and nostalgia for football fans, and the Save Tolka Park group want to preserve it.
"Tolka Park is the only stadium I’ve known for Shels," Lee added.
"It’s hugely important to preserve the history. Shels have had some great nights there. There’s been European nights like the Hadjuk Split game. We want to preserve the memories of winning various titles. Our women’s team play there and they are creating new memories for girls getting into football.
"When I have children, I want to take them to football matches at Tolka Park."
A number of big names within Irish football have come out in support of the campaign such as Eamon Dunphy, Pat Dolan, Jack Byrne, and Stuart Byrne.
When the club were asked about crusade to save Tolka Park, Shelbourne said they have no comment at this moment in time.
