IRFU, FAI call for new national stadium

The governing bodies of soccer and rugby have said they need a new national stadium with a 60,000 to 65,000 capacity.

In a joint statement published yesterday, the Football Association of Ireland and the Irish Rugby Football Union ruled out the GAA's Croke Park, and a revamped Lansdowne Road, as solutions to their needs.

They agreed that, if it became available to other sports, Croke Park would be suitable for once-off fixtures or tournaments, such as the Euro 2008 soccer championships, or a rugby world cup final. But they agreed that a new stadium with a capacity of 60,000 to 65,000 was required.

The statement follows the criticism by the Attorney General, Mr Michael McDowell, of the Taoiseach's plan for a sports campus and stadium at Abbotstown.

An IRFU spokesman said their comments were not a response to political pressure, while a spokeswoman for the Minister for Tourism and Sport, Dr McDaid, said that the views were already well known to the Government.

The statement said that the IRFU had investigated the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road as a modern facility with 60,000 capacity, "and advice suggests that a greenfield situation is a more practical option".

The statement said the IRFU and FAI "fully respect the GAA's position regarding usage of Croke Park," but wished to clarify the question of suitability in the light of public comment.

The likelihood of major clashes with GAA fixtures in mid-summer and September was one major obstacle to a sharing agreement. But the fact that a GAA pitch was much larger than its rugby or soccer counterparts meant Croke Park "would not be conducive to good viewing or atmosphere" in the case of international soccer or rugby fixtures.