Aviva fits the bill
Credit:
It must be two years ago now since I remember it being announced that the Europa League final would be held in Dublin. At the time I wrote about it thinking the Aviva was going to be the first ever building project that stood out for me in Ireland that wasn’t just scheduled to finish on time but actually ahead of time. This, for me, was impressive because mostly when I think of huge building projects such as the Aviva, running ‘on schedule’ or ‘on budget’ are terms that don’t usually spring to mind.
But back then, Ireland was a different place. OK we were on the brink of falling off the edge of the economic cliff but the average person didn’t really know it. That air of superiority still lingered - it almost felt like even though such a huge game would be played here, some people only acknowledged it in a half-arsed way. Typical Celtic Tiger, like sure, don’t we deserve nothing less?
As a country I think we are slowly but surely learning to be humble again and beginning to realise that we should actually be really appreciative of such a huge opportunity. Firstly and most obviously, there is the money that will come into the country at a time when we couldn’t need it more (in which case here’s hoping we get the bigger teams and a shed-load of fans in the final) and secondly it puts us on the map in terms of hosting big football occasions. Hosting such a prestigious event and doing it well sends out the message that while we may be nothing more than the size of a big city to some of our neighbours, we can step up to the mark.
I think any LOI fan will agree that while we love our league and appreciate what it brings to us, really there is no comparison in terms of stadiums even to our next door neighbours. Most Premier Division stadiums I have been to have been worlds apart from our equivalent. But that’s not to say we don’t have anything – as far as Irish stadiums go Croke Park and the Aviva would give plenty a run for their money.
Already there’s been talk of what possibilities lie ahead for us should next month’s decider run smoothly. There’s been an optimistic suggestion to make bids for hosting the European Super Cup and the European U-21 Championships alongside Northern Ireland. Although the English FA has already announced that the 2012 Community Shield (which clashes with the Olympic men’s football final) will be held in an English stadium there has been talk in the past of hosting it elsewhere. I don’t think I need to point out just how perfectly we could fit the bill!
Visiting superstars raise the profile of the game here - they’re idols to the kids on the street kicking a ball about. And if that’s what inspires them and in turn keeps a person going to games here then it’s a good thing by me.
But back then, Ireland was a different place. OK we were on the brink of falling off the edge of the economic cliff but the average person didn’t really know it. That air of superiority still lingered - it almost felt like even though such a huge game would be played here, some people only acknowledged it in a half-arsed way. Typical Celtic Tiger, like sure, don’t we deserve nothing less?
As a country I think we are slowly but surely learning to be humble again and beginning to realise that we should actually be really appreciative of such a huge opportunity. Firstly and most obviously, there is the money that will come into the country at a time when we couldn’t need it more (in which case here’s hoping we get the bigger teams and a shed-load of fans in the final) and secondly it puts us on the map in terms of hosting big football occasions. Hosting such a prestigious event and doing it well sends out the message that while we may be nothing more than the size of a big city to some of our neighbours, we can step up to the mark.
I think any LOI fan will agree that while we love our league and appreciate what it brings to us, really there is no comparison in terms of stadiums even to our next door neighbours. Most Premier Division stadiums I have been to have been worlds apart from our equivalent. But that’s not to say we don’t have anything – as far as Irish stadiums go Croke Park and the Aviva would give plenty a run for their money.
Already there’s been talk of what possibilities lie ahead for us should next month’s decider run smoothly. There’s been an optimistic suggestion to make bids for hosting the European Super Cup and the European U-21 Championships alongside Northern Ireland. Although the English FA has already announced that the 2012 Community Shield (which clashes with the Olympic men’s football final) will be held in an English stadium there has been talk in the past of hosting it elsewhere. I don’t think I need to point out just how perfectly we could fit the bill!
Visiting superstars raise the profile of the game here - they’re idols to the kids on the street kicking a ball about. And if that’s what inspires them and in turn keeps a person going to games here then it’s a good thing by me.
