MANY tears will be shed in the Mulgrave Street area this Saturday when the Markets Field closes its doors as a greyhound track, where it has been very much part of Limerick life since 1932.
Though those associated with the industry have long claimed that the venue had passed its sell-by date, they will still view it as a sad occasion when dogs enter traps for the last time and when the lights are finally switched off.
One man who has particularly fond memories is Paddy Kiely, Rathbane, a former League of Ireland referee and who has been a regular patron for over 65 years.
The new multi-million euro greyhound stadium at Greenpark is to open on October 8, with the official opening planned for a later date. The burning question now is, what happens to the Markets Field, once the home of LOI soccer in the city.
It is understood that the directors of Limerick FC have had talks with Bord na gCon officials with a view to making it their home, but nothing concrete has so far emerged.
Limerick vacated the venue in 1984, to go to Hogan Park. They had been tenants since the mid 1930s.
City councillors are keeping a watching brief as indeed, are residents in the general Garryowen area.
It had been speculated two years ago that a businessman, with a strong attachment to the Markets Field and the greyhound industry, was waiting in the long grass, purported to be interested in making a bid for the property and handing it back to the local community as a gesture of goodwill.
Bord na gCon will be looking for the best possible price to offset costs involved in the construction of their magnificent new stadium.
They are also disposing of their offices in Henry Street.
