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South Dublin County Council are pushing ahead with plans to complete a fourth stand in Tallaght Stadium, as well as an upgrade to the existing west stand in the venue used by Shamrock Rovers.

The proposed expansion comes on the back of the recently completed 2,195 seater south stand.

When the League of Ireland season kicks off next February, the Hoops will be playing in an 8,000 capacity venue – with the stadium effectively upgraded to UEFA Category 4 status suitably for hosting Champions League group games.

However, on Monday evening plans were presented to local councillors for a new 2,000-capacity fourth stand.

The proposed north stand, once completed, would bring the capacity of the stadium up to 10,000 - the size originally envisaged when the ‘Tallaght Project’ was first mooted way back in 1996.

In addition to the new fourth stand, there is a proposal to remodel the rear of the main (west) stand, adding an additional floor above the Glenmalure Suite.

The cost of the total redevelopment is expected to be approximately €5m – with the council likely to tap into the government’s major sports infrastructure fund.

South Dublin County Council will develop the plans further in the new year, finalise budgets, before going out to public consultation through the Part 8 planning process – the same process used for the recently completed south stand.

In a separate development located adjacent to the stadium carpark, the plan to construct 81 apartments, earmarked as social housing for the elderly, has been approved by the council.