DT Locations: Tolka Park

 

 

Tolka Park, in Drumcondra, Dublin, Ireland, featured in 2 episodes of DT in Season 5.

 

Harchester's home meeting with Shelbourne in the UEFA Cup First Round First Leg ended in a 1-1 draw with goals from Danny Rawsthorne and Wes Hoolahan. For the Second Leg, attendance is evened out for Shels as travel to their away leg at the Lair had been too far for a large opposition support, and they welcome a "Mini invasion from the Midlands".

 

During the first half, Richie Baker believes he was fouled by Karl Fletcher, leading to Andrei Belanov knocking Baker to the ground and he is red carded for violent conduct. After half an hour's play, Davy Byrne gives Shelbourne the lead. 1-0 at half time, Fletch works his magic and equalises in the second half, celebrating in the crowd with the Irish and travelling Harchester fans in an iconic scene. The Dragons are awarded a penalty when Danny goes down which Fletch takes, and misses.

 

Full time and the teams are drawing at 1-1, which still stands at the end of extra time, leaving it to penalties to decide. His confidence knocked after his earlier miss, Fletch turns down the chance. Danny steps up, with Stevie Shaw, Danny Husbands, Scott Mean and Ian Hillaire. With Alex Lawler up against Baker, Byrne, Richie Foran, Alan Mathews and Pat Fenlon for Shelbourne, Byrne's final kick at 4-4 misses. Rawsthorne takes Harchester to 5 and a crowd invasion on the Tolka pitch follows.

 

Danny had met Lisa Gerard and her son Charlie before the game, and invited them to watch the team train. Fletch and Danny are both asked for testing samples, and because of this, Danny misses his chance to see Lisa again. After the team have returned to Harchester, Danny's test comes back positive. Shelbourne Chief Exec Ollie Byrne calls for the result to be overturned and Harchester kicked out of the UEFA Cup. However it later transpires Danny's result was down to a food supplement recommended by Andrei.

 

The specially filmed match between Shelbourne and Harchester took place on Saturday 22nd September 2001. Tolka Park had a prior connection being the venue for the Keith Duffy All Stars charity match, where his team of celebrities would play the actors from Dream Team in benefit of Childline, held annually between 2001-04.

Harchester train at Tolka

 

The fans get up close with the players at full time

 

Away dressing room

 

Tolka Park appearances

 

5.7 (#235) 36 Hours In Dublin  Sunday 28th October 2001

Pitch, outside, away dressing room, tunnel, stands, physio room, concourse, stairwelI

 

5.8 (#236) From Russia With Love  Sunday 4th November 2001

Pitch/stands

 

Tolka Park Wikipedia Page