The Oscar Traynor Centre (Irish: Ionad Oscar Mac Thréinfhir) is an association football venue in Coolock, Northside, Dublin, Ireland. The ground was previously home to Women's National League club Bohemians from 2020 to 2022.
 | |
  Oscar Traynor Centre Location within Dublin | |
Full name | Oscar Traynor Coaching and Development Centre |
|---|---|
Former names | AFL Coaching & Development Centre |
| Location | Coolock, County Dublin |
| Coordinates | 53°23′46″N 6°13′38″W / 53.3962°N 6.2272°W |
| Owner | Dublin City Council[1] |
| Operator | Bohemian F.C. (via 'The Oscar Traynor Coaching and Development Centre CLG') [2] |
| Capacity | 1,000[3] |
| Surface | Artificial turf[3] |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1985 |
| Renovated | 2001 |
Cost | €688,000 (1985) |
| Tenants | |
| North Dublin Schoolboys/girls League (NDSL) 2001—present Bohemian F.C. (academy) 2017—present Bohemians Women (WNL) 2020—2022 | |
The centre includes a grass pitch, with a sprinkler and drainage system, and an all-weather artificial soccer pitch with flood lighting.[4]
History
editIn September 1985 TD Jim Tunney officially opened the AFL Coaching and Development Centre, which had been constructed by Dublin's Amateur Football League (AFL) at a cost of approximately €688,000.[4] The venue underwent significant expansion in 2001, when the North Dublin Schoolboys/girls League (NDSL) agreed to pool resources with the AFL. Floodlights, additional all-weather pitches and a separate building for the NDSL, in addition to the AFL clubhouse, elevated the facility to "a centre of coaching and soccer excellence".[5]
In January 2012 the Evening Herald reported that the Oscar Traynor Centre "faced an uncertain future", as the board of the company running the centre, the Oscar Traynor Coaching and Development Centre (OTCDC), had resigned amid strained relations between the AFL and NDSL. This was attributed to financial challenges faced due to the economic downturn.[6] The NDSL subsequently entered into an arrangement with Bohemian FC in June 2013, which gave the League of Ireland club access to the Oscar Traynor Centre facilities.[7][8][9] By 2017, Bohemians had based their underage academy at the ground.[10] When Bohemians launched a senior Women's National League club in 2020, they based the team at the Oscar Traynor Centre instead of joining the men's team at Dalymount Park.[11][12] On 22 January 2022, the club announced their women's team would play their home games at Dalymount Park.[13]
The ground is situated on the road from Coolock to Santry, which is named for former Football Association of Ireland President Oscar Traynor. [citation needed]
Other facilities
editInternationals
editIn June 2005, the Republic of Ireland women's national football team defeated the Faroe Islands 2–1 at the Oscar Traynor Centre with both goals scored by Carmel Kissane.[14] The centre also hosted the Republic of Ireland under-15 boys team, who beat Finland 1–0 at the Oscar Traynor Centre in April 2013, and hosted the under-16 boys' UEFA Under-16 Development Tournament game against Belgium on 15 May 2013, ending in a 2–0 victory for the home team.[15][16]
References
edit- ↑ "Girls soccer in Dublin left in crisis". irishindependent.ie. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
- 1 2 "Bohemian FC secures Oscar Traynor Centre's future following agreement with FAI, NDSL and AFL". bohemianfc.com. 17 November 2023. Archived from the original on 16 December 2023. Retrieved 21 April 2025.
- 1 2 "Oscar Traynor Centre - Soccerway". ie.soccerway.com. Archived from the original on 3 May 2025. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
- 1 2 3 "AFL - Amateur Football League". Soccer-Ireland.com. Archived from the original on 31 October 2009. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
- ↑ Feery, Niall (8 October 2001). "All-weather pitches putt out golfers". Evening Herald. The Herald (Ireland). p. 53.
- ↑ "Crisis Point - Future of OTCDC must be secured for the football family". The Herald (Ireland). 30 January 2012. p. 81.
- ↑ Brady, Ger (24 June 2013). "Bohs' Oscar Traynor link-up". The Herald (Ireland). Archived from the original on 7 April 2026. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
- ↑ "Bohs Oscar Traynor Link Up". independent.ie. 24 June 2013. Archived from the original on 7 April 2026. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
- ↑ Brady, Ger (24 June 2013). "Bohs and NDSL link has bright future". Evening Herald. The Herald (Ireland). p. 57.
- ↑ "Best of luck to the Bohemians U15s". www.facebook.com. Bohemian Football Club. 18 August 2017.
- ↑ O'Riordan, Luke (18 February 2020). "Bohemian FC to compete in Women's National League | Latest News | Bohemian FC". bohemianfc.com. Archived from the original on 28 February 2020. Retrieved 28 April 2026.
- ↑ "Bohemian FC v Cork City – Oscar Traynor Centre". www.finalwhistle.ie. 11 September 2021. Retrieved 16 November 2025.
- ↑ Kisbey-Green, Stephen (22 January 2022). "Bohs confirm all home WNL games to be played at Dalymount Park". OffTheBall. Archived from the original on 22 September 2023. Retrieved 27 November 2025.
- ↑ "Irish Women bound for Moscow". RISSC.org. June 2005. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
- ↑ "Irish U15s beat Finland in Friendly at Oscar Traynor Centre". Football Association of Ireland. 16 April 2013. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
- ↑ "Statistics: Ireland U16". SoccerScene.ie. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
External links
edit- Oscar Traynor Coaching and Development Centre at NDSL.ie (archived)