United Park
Sullivan and Lambe Park | |
 | |
| Full name | United Park |
|---|---|
| Location | Drogheda, County Louth |
| Public transit | Drogheda Railway Station, Cross Lane bus stop |
| Capacity | 3,500 (1,500 seated) |
| Surface | Grass |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1979 |
| Renovated | 2010 |
| Tenants | |
| Drogheda United (1979–present) | |
United Park, currently known as Sullivan and Lambe Park for sponsorship reasons[1] and formerly O2 Park, Hunky Dorys Park, Head In The Game Park and Weavers Park also for sponsorship purposes, is a football stadium in Drogheda, Ireland. The ground has been home to League of Ireland side Drogheda United since 1979. It was officially opened on 12 August 1979 with a friendly against Queens Park Rangers.[2][3]
The ground has a capacity of 3,500 with 1,500 seats.[4][5]
The stadium used to hold 5,400 though the safe capacity was reduced on request by the Louth County Fire Officer.[2][6][7]
The stadium has also hosted five Republic of Ireland under-21 national football team games[8] and other international underage games including games in the 1994 UEFA European Under-16 Football Championship. Proposals were made to sell the site and build a 10,000 all seater new stadium on the outskirts of the town.[9] In July 2008, planning permission was given to Drogheda United by Meath County Council, however, the plans eventually fell through.[citation needed]
History
[edit]After Drogheda United were relegated to the newly formed First Division upon conclusion of the 1984–85 League of Ireland season, the stadium was given to the FAI, to be held in trust, by Drogheda United chairman Vincent Hoey.[10] However, the ground was then sold to the FAI in the late 1980s with Drogheda United retaining a repurchase option.[11]
In October 1993, the first match under floodlights took place with a 2-1 win over Shamrock Rovers.[2][3][12]
The ground was briefly known as "O2 Park" during 2002 and 2003, as part of a sponsorship deal with the telecommunications company O2.[13]
A two year sponsorship deal was announced by Drogheda United in March 2010 which saw Hunky Dory's become the team's shirt and stadium sponsor, with United Park renamed "Hunky Dorys Park".[14][15][16] During the middle of 2010, renovations took place to bring the venue up to licensing standards: changes include the addition of seats to the GAA side of the ground (to bring the seating capacity up to 1,500), new toilet facilities and a new covered section dedicated to wheelchair users.[3] By 2015, the stadium name had reverted to United Park.[17][18]
In 2020, Drogheda United announced they would rename United Park after a charity. Upon gathering submissions, a draw was held to determine the winner. Head in the Game, a mental health charity set up to raise awareness across the football community, was chosen and the stadium was subsequently named "Head in the Game Park" ahead of the 2021 season.[19][20] This name remained until the 2023 season, when the stadium was again renamed "Weavers Park" as part of a sponsorship deal with a local bar & restaurant.[21]
Drogheda United exercised a repurchase option of the ground in 2024, returning the stadium to club ownership after 35 years.[22][23] Later that year, the club announced a fourth stadium name change in 5 years, with stone suppliers Sullivan and Lambe coming aboard as sponsors for the 2025 season.[1] A number of improvements were also made to the ground, with new toilet facilities, new home & away dressing rooms and new seats added.[24]
Structure and facilities
[edit]United Park has three spectator areas: North, East and West. There is no South stand due to the proximity of the adjacent housing estate in Anneville Crescent.[2][25]
North Stand
[edit]Also known as the Cross Lane End, this wedge shaped area behind the goal is uncovered and offers standing room only.[2] This end houses a club bar as well as toilet facilities that were added in 2025.[26][24]
East Stands
[edit]The eastern section of the ground runs parallel to Windmill Road. It consists of two separate stands, as well as the clubhouse which is located on the south-east corner. While both stands are covered by a roof, only the stand beside the clubhouse is seated. This smaller stand is situated between the home & away dugouts and seats nearly 400 fans. The larger stand in the north-east corner is terraced and houses the away fans.[2][3]
West Stand
[edit]Also known as the Crosslanes Stand, this was originally a covered terrace stand flanked by 12 rows of open terracing.[2][24] The first 7 rows had over 1,100 sky blue seats added in 2010 to meet minimum league licensing requirements.[27] The last five rows of steps have remained terraced, separated from the seats with a line of crush barriers on the 8th row. The roof spans out from the centre and covers roughly 80% of the stand with the television gantry situated on top.[2][25] The club shop is located at the back of the Crosslanes Stand.[26]
References
[edit]- ^ a b McDonnell, Daniel (16 December 2024). "Drogheda United reveal new name for home ground after announcing multi-year partnership". Irish Independent. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Tripper, Football (11 August 2014). "Drogheda United Stadium - Hunky Dorys Park". Football Tripper. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ^ a b c d Whelan, Padraig (7 March 2013). "Ground-by-ground Guides - Hunky Dorys Park". extratime.com. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ^ "Irish Football Teams & Leagues | BettingSites.co". 4 February 2022. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
- ^ Coliseum (8 March 2024). "Drogheda United FC eyes new stadium". Coliseum. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
- ^ "Drogheda United - Hunky Dory Park". League of Ireland Ground Guide. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
- ^ "Bohsman: FAI Cup: Drogheda 0-1 Bohemians". 17 June 2007.
- ^ "Ireland - U-21 Internationals".
- ^ Buck, Brendan (9 January 2007). "An Irish Town Planner: PLANS for a new town of 12,000 people on south of Drogheda".
- ^ "United Park in hands of bank as part of FAI debt". Irish Independent. 11 September 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ^ "Drogheda United buy stadium from FAI". 4 March 2024. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
- ^ http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/archive/1993/1002/Pg017.html
- ^ "e200k to drag O2 Park into the 21st century?". Irish Independent. 1 November 2002. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ^ "Sportsfile - Drogheda United New Sponsor Announcement - 408583". www.sportsfile.com. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ^ "Drogheda United 2-4 Bohemians". amp.rte.ie. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ^ Malone, Emmet (12 March 2010). "Drogheda's home ground renamed in timely new sponsorship deal". The Irish Times. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
- ^ Cavaroli, Marcus (22 May 2015). "Drogheda edge out Galway at United Park". RTÉ. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
- ^ Lea, Greg (21 February 2019). "The 10 weirdest stadium names in football". FourFourTwo. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
- ^ "United Park renamed Head in the Game Park for 2021. – Drogheda". Droghedaunited.ie. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ^ "United Park continues as Head in the Game Park for 2022 – Drogheda". Droghedaunited.ie. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ^ "Weavers Park – Drogheda". Droghedaunited.ie. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ^ "Drogheda United buy stadium from FAI". RTÉ. 4 March 2024. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
- ^ "Drogheda United FC secures ownership of Weavers Park". www.leagueofireland.ie. 4 March 2024. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
- ^ a b c "Matchnight Info / Stadium Improvements – Drogheda". Retrieved 7 June 2025.
- ^ a b "Drogheda United FC | United Park | Football Ground Guide". footballgroundguide.com. 29 November 2024. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ^ a b "Matchday Information | St. Patrick's Athletic – Drogheda". droghedaunited.ie. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
- ^ Donohoe, John (23 June 2010). "Drogheda Utd job for former sports writer". Meath Chronicle. Retrieved 7 June 2025.