Underwhelmed.ie

It does look as if the Clan stand is going to be a terrace out front, seating behind and then what I assume is boxes and corporate etc. above that again. Maybe more seats?

Looks like the Main stand is pretty much unchanged bar the addon of where the Grant Thornton currently is. Imagine it'll get a bit of a facelift as part of the process.

Shame they aren't doing anything about the ends. I can't see anybody wishing to stand in the driving rain come winter time.

The new Main Stand looks it will replace the Clan Stand as I understand it and will probably take up the heft of the new 12,000 capacity.

Good news in general. Long overdue. Let's just hope they build it.

overstrander wrote: Is it just me or do these photos look quite similar to what we already have? Two stands and then people getting drenched at both ends?

Yes. Unfortunately with the dogs remaining, they can't do much behind the goals. The couple of hundred who attend the dogs need to be able to see them run behind the goals, so a covered stand is almost impossible without the need for moveable covering

I presume that the thoughts are that giving more people the options to go into the 2 main stands, mean that less people will need to go behind the goals.

I'm worried about Season Ticket holders in the Clan Stand now though.
Will it be open seating, or will we get to choose a specific seat?
How do I decide which of my friends get to pick the seats beside me?

I presume that the images aren't set in stone, but it looks as if the plan is to leave the current Main Stand is all terracing, bar the enclosure, and a small section of seating to replace the Grant Thornton stand.
It does look like they plan to extend that stand a small bit though.
Struggling to see how they think they'll get 12k in based on the pictures though.

My best guesses are:
Main Stand ~ 2,500
Behind each try area: ~700 each
Clan Stand: Would need to be 8,000

Considering they look to be getting rid of the terracing for seats in the Clan Stand, this is going to need to be a pretty big stand

Anyway, this is all just presumptions. Delighted that they are doing anything

Is it just me or do these photos look quite similar to what we already have? Two stands and then people getting drenched at both ends?

Evil_g wrote: www.connachtrugby.ie/connacht-rugby-anno...or-the-sportsground/

Pity they can't get rid of the dogs, but fantastic news all the same. Fair play to all involved.

I'm having difficulties picturing 12k fitting into those two stands. They must be keeping loads of terracing....which is great.

Looks like they're getting rid of the back pitch, which presumably means a lot of training will be moved somewhere else?

Just had a quick read of this fantastic news. There will be an indoor training pitch.

I'd imagine the references to the "Main Stand" in the new proposal are where the current Clan Stand is. The old Main Stand will be rechristened, I'd imagine.

Prob have to announce it now, will be public info once it's lodged for planning. CR will be doing the usual public lobbying to make sure things are as easy as possible.

Like the look of the new High Performance Centre. I wonder whether NUIG or similar will have some input into that (I know UL have a stake in Munsters).

"The new main stand will include dressing rooms and corporate hospitality."

The images seem to indicate that these will be in the Clan Stand. I hope they are.
I'd love to see some proper blueprints/architectural drawings

I hope they haven't jumped the gun with the announcement.
Looks like there are plenty of hoops to jump through still. I suppose it's better to be kept up to date though.

Some things that I like from reading the articles, and looking at the pictures
Staying in the Sportsground
It mentions terraces and seating on both sides of the pitch
The picture looks to show some sort of permanent terracing (uncovered) on the college road end
The price seems pretty reasonable
I like the wording "Connacht" spelt out in the seats
Redevolping the main stand
Proper changing room locations for the players
Surely the toilets will be improved

I wonder what the plans are for during the development? It won't be built over a summer by the looks of it.

Terryland? Dubarry Park? Thomand?

Great news and with a sensible capacity also.
Lets hope the planning application process is quick with no objectors appealing to every court in the land.
Well done Connacht

Brilliant news. Am I looking at the picture properly, is the new clan stand going to be much bigger than the current "main" stand? Or is the concept art looking down from the bohermore end? In the first picture it says "clan bar" above the door on the snazzy new building so I presume not.

Sooooooo glad!
What a piece of news for a monday morning!

The new pitch will be an all weather surface.

Does that mean plastic? Not sure how I feel about that.

www.connachtrugby.ie/connacht-rugby-anno...or-the-sportsground/

Pity they can't get rid of the dogs, but fantastic news all the same. Fair play to all involved.

I'm having difficulties picturing 12k fitting into those two stands. They must be keeping loads of terracing....which is great.

Looks like they're getting rid of the back pitch, which presumably means a lot of training will be moved somewhere else?