Council begins discussions over future of Limerick stadium

THE COUNCIL has held talks over the future of the Markets Field sports stadium in Garryowen.

Confirmation of the talks came following a question in a council meeting by Cllr Conor Sheehan.

Currently, the 5,000-capacity arena is rented out to senior soccer side Treaty United, while in the past it’s been used for rugby and a number of other sporting activities.

But with the municipal facility in use for only a limited number of hours a week, Labour councillor Conor Sheehan has asked if there has been any discussions of a possible local authority takeover of the ground.

The council’s head of property Jayne Leahy confirmed “preliminary discussions” had happened with the LEDP in relation to its future.

She added engagement would continue.

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The chief executive of the LEDP Niall O’Callaghan declined to comment on the talks.

He said in a statement: “LEDP remains committed to working in partnership with key stakeholders across the community to promote social and economic inclusion and improve opportunities for everyone in Limerick.”

Cllr Sheehan said there are many uses the Markets Field could have, highlighting a need for a community centre for the Garryowen area.

“There’s enormous potential up there, I even think in terms of there being no athletics facility within the city either. I certainly would hope if the council is able to acquire it, they’d be able to invest in the Markets Field in terms of putting an all-weather pitch in there. That would be my own preference,” Cllr Sheehan said.

The LEDP acquired the Markets Field from the Irish Greyhound Board back in 2011 following a donation by JP McManus. Prior to this, it was used for greyhound racing, and has also hosted GAA fixtures in the past.

A €4.5m redevelopment of the arena followed before Limerick FC moved there from Jackman Park in 2015.

Following the demise of the Super Blues, Treaty United secured a licence to represent Limerick in senior soccer, and continued playing in the venue following its establishment in 2020.