Tims 92

St Patrick's Athletic

Richmond Park

I hadn’t originally planned to visit Richmond Park, but with some spare time on my hands, I decided to make the trip down to Inchicore and visit what is the home to St Patrick’s FC. Getting the bus down there, I was relieved to see the ground out of the window, as I wasn’t really too sure where to get off, however despite this, after leaving the bus I still wasn’t sure where to go! Asking some directions I eventually managed to find it tucked behind a row of terrace houses, with only a small gateway indicating where it was. Once inside you really notice how hemmed in it is, being in a small dip of land and enclosed on all sides.

The most noticeable stand is the Main Stand, a fair sized all-seated structure that runs the length of the pitch. Opposite is the Camac Side, a small uncovered area of terracing that is dominated by tall trees, creating a rather intimate feel to that side of the ground. Behind one goal is the Shed End, which certainly deserves its name, with a large, low roof covering a small section of terracing that’s quite unusual in that the roof comes right out over the front of the terracing, leaving a large flat area between the first step and the goal. Opposite this is the Inchicore End, which is equally as interesting. There are large hoardings that are at least 8 foot tall directly behind the goal, whilst behind these is a small grassy hill that could possibly once have been a terrace, but is now fenced off, and sadly covered in rubbish, looking quite untidy. There is an area of tarmac behind this hill, where it’s possible to watch the game from, but I imagine that during a game you would feel quite detached from the stadium at this end.

Overall it’s a nice ground, although certainly smaller than both Tolka Park and Dalymount that I’d seen earlier in the day, but the intimate setting helps, and when full, then I’d imagine it’s a good place to watch football at.