Croke Park remains open for 2008

Following today's meeting of Central Council, the GAA agreed to allow both the IRFU and FAI to use Croke Park in 2008 while Lansdowne…

Following today's meeting of Central Council, the GAA agreed to allow both the IRFU and FAI to use Croke Park in 2008 while Lansdowne Road undergoes redevelopment.

It was widely expected that the Association would continue to allow both the Irish rugby and soccer teams to use the 82,000 capacity stadium.

Next year the Ireland rugby team will host three home matches in the Six Nations Championship - compared to the two this year against France and next weekend's encounter against England. The FAI will use GAA Headquarters for two 2010 World Cup Qualifiers next autumn.

"It was agreed to accede to the IRFU and FAI's request to hold three Six Nation's Rugby and two World Cup soccer qualifier games respectively in Croke Park in the Spring and Autumn of 2008," a statement from the GAA read.

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By the same token the Association reiterated that the facility would not be made available beyond 2008 even if the Lansdowne Road project goes beyond deadline.

As it stands the GAA hasn't received any application requests to host friendly games in 2008 by either of the two associations and was therefore not discussed at today's meeting. However, the meeting stated no other gaelic grounds would be made available to the IRFU or FAI.

The FAI welcomed today's decision. "The GAA have been extremely accommodating in granting permission for the playing of our matches in 2008," said FAI chief executive John Delaney.

"We'd like to thank Nickey Brennan, Liam Mulvihill, Danny Lynch and the GAA Central Council members for facilitating our request to stage our games at Croke Park in 2008 - the decision is very much appreciated."

"It is a fantastic venue and I know that the players will relish the prospect of our games taking place in such a world class stadium," added Republic manager Steve Staunton.  "The March games are in everyone's focus and the players are really looking forward to both games next month."

Today's meeting at Croke Park did raise the issue of Shamrock Rovers' ground in Tallaght where some delegates were disappointed that a similar return gesture was not being made to play Gaelic Games at the soccer ground.

Throughout, the Government through Minister for Sport John O'Donoghue have remained steadfast in their stance to allow only soccer to be played at the venue.