Dubarry Park
{{short description|Rugby union stadium in Ireland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox venue
| name = Dubarry Park
| nickname =
| native_name = Páirc de Barra
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| pushpin_map = Ireland
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| location = Coosan, Athlone, Ireland
| coordinates = {{Coord|53|26|07|N|07|55|23|W|display=inline,title}}
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| type = rugby union ground
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| renovated = 2003
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| owner = Buccaneers RFC
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| surface = grass
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| capacity = 10,000
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| dimensions = 122 × 68 m (133 × 74 yds)
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| tenants = Buccaneers RFC
Ireland national U20 rugby (2005–2015)
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Dubarry Park is a rugby union stadium in Cornamangh townland, near the Coosan area of Athlone, County Westmeath, Ireland. It is the home ground of Buccaneers RFC and has a capacity of 10,000 spectators.{{cite web|url=https://www.irelandplanner.com/places/dubarry-sports-park-ireland-planner/ |title=Dubarry Sports Park |publisher=Ireland Planner |date= |accessdate=2020-03-02}} Between 2005 and 2015, it hosted Ireland's home matches in the Six Nations Under 20s Championship.
History
Dubarry Park is named after Dubarry of Ireland who sponsor Buccaneers RFC.{{cite web|url=http://site-irfu.soticcloud.net/news/19000.php#.Xl0_fKj7TIU |title=Dubarry To Continue Buccaneers Sponsorship |publisher=IRFU |date=2009-09-23 |accessdate=2020-03-02}} Though mostly used for rugby, the ground has also been used by association football team Athlone Town.{{cite web|url=https://www.westmeathindependent.ie/news/roundup/articles/2016/04/08/4117661-fai-junior-cup-venue-controversy-rolls-on-/ |title=FAI Junior Cup venue controversy rolls on |publisher=Westmeath Independent |date=2016-04-08 |accessdate=2020-03-02}} In 2003, the ground was redeveloped with a new stand and clubhouse erected.{{cite news |url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/connacht-make-two-changes-for-llanelli-118287.html |title=Connacht make two changes for Llanelli |publisher=Irish Examiner |accessdate=2020-03-02}}
=Professional rugby usage=
Dubarry Park has been used several times for professional rugby matches. In 2005, it was selected by the Irish Rugby Football Union to host the Ireland national under-20 rugby union team's matches in the Six Nations Under 20s Championship.{{cite web|url=https://www.irishrugby.ie/2010/01/29/under-20s-to-light-up-dubarry-park-again/ |title=Under-20s To Light Up Dubarry Park Again |publisher=IRFU |date=2010-01-29 |accessdate=2020-03-02}} The ground continued to host Ireland Under-20s until 2016 when the matches were moved to Donnybrook Stadium in Dublin.{{cite web|first=Kevin |last=McDermott |url=https://www.shannonside.ie/sport/westmeath-sport/international-rugby-returning-dubarry-park/ |title=International rugby returning to Dubarry Park |publisher=Shannonside |date=2018-02-20 |accessdate=2020-03-02}} Following Buccaneers' lobbying the IRFU returned Ireland Under-20s matches to Dubarry Park. However, the IRFU revisited their decision and moved matches to Musgrave Park in Cork due to low attendances.{{cite web|first=Dave |last=Hooper |url=https://www.shannonside.ie/sport/westmeath-sport/irish-20s-not-returning-dubarry-park/ |title=Irish Under-20's Not Returning to Dubarry Park |publisher=Shannonside |date=2018-09-21 |accessdate=2020-03-02}} The senior Ireland national rugby union team since used the ground as a venue for training.{{cite web |url=https://www.rugbyworld.com/tournaments/six-nations-2020/what-the-six-nations-sides-have-been-doing-in-their-first-fallow-week-89510 |title=What the Six Nations sides have been doing in their first fallow week |publisher=Rugby World |accessdate=2020-03-02}}
Dubarry Park has also been used by Connacht Rugby. In 2002, it hosted Connacht's European Challenge Cup quarter final against Pontypridd. Connacht also hosted three Celtic League games there in 2003. Later, they continued to use it to host pre-season fixtures against opposition such as Wasps and Exeter Chiefs due to their usual Galway Sportsgrounds being unavailable.{{cite news |url=https://www.advertiser.ie/athlone/article/102432/connacht-start-the-rugby-season-at-dubarry-park |title=Connacht start the rugby season at Dubarry Park |publisher=Athlone Advertiser |accessdate=2020-03-02}}{{cite web|url=https://www.irishrugby.ie/2011/07/22/connacht-switch-pre-season-game-to-dubarry-park/ |title=Connacht Switch Pre-Season Game To Dubarry Park |publisher=IRFU |date=2011-07-22 |accessdate=2020-03-02}}