The Croke Park redevelopment is set for completion considerably earlier than planned. Pending a planning appeal currently being processed, the GAA hierarchy yesterday stated at a press conference in Croke Park that they were aiming for a completion date of 2001.

If realised, this timetable will be a good four years ahead of schedule. It was also announced that 10-year facilities on the Hogan Stand side of the ground will go on sale next spring on a first-come-first-served basis.

At present work is proceeding on the Canal End of the ground, Phase Two which is to be completed by the year 2000. Assisted by last year's Lottery grant of £20,000,000, the GAA hope to begin work on the Hogan Stand side of the ground, Phase Three, after next year's All-Ireland - provided an appeal against the go-ahead to re-develop the Hogan Stand ahead of the Hill 16 terrace is not successful - and so work on Phases Two and Three simultaneously.

The lottery money "allowed us to expedite the work", according to GAA president Joe McDonagh. "Although it may not be finished until 2001, a Millennium project is what this now is," he added.

Director general Liam Mulvihill said that the financing of this intensified development would be greatly facilitated by the grant. "The £20,000,000 realistically allows us to borrow a sizeable amount of money, maybe up to £50,000,000." He added that he expected the debt to be cleared in 10 years.

Additional funding will naturally come on stream as the current 10-year tickets in the New Stand expire and the whole corporate section at Croke Park will be a substantial money-spinner once the re-development costs have been met.

Dermot Power, marketing manager of the re-development, detailed the plans for the corporate areas. "We will be putting the Hogan on the market in March 1999. People will choose a location in the Hogan but pending the completion of Phase Three, they will be accommodated on the Canal End before transferring over."

He denied that the quickening pace of the redevelopment was a reaction to the Government's recently stated plans for a national stadium. "We came up with this quite some time ago and weren't influenced by any competing product. The national stadium is still at the conceptual stage whereas we're selling the Hogan next March."

It was added that the market for corporate facilities had been developed by Croke Park and in the event of further facilities of this kind becoming available, this would be an advantage. McDonagh said: "The success of the premium level has created a demand in marketing terms and audience terms."

Prices for this have yet to be fixed by Central Council, but the GAA confirmed that they will more expensive than the New Stand prices: £5,000 for a 10-year premium-level seat, £150,000 for a single box and £250,000 for a double-sized unit.

Phase Two will be partially completed by next year's All-Ireland finals. Leinster Council has been advised to plan on the basis of the Canal End not being available throughout the provincial championships. The first two tiers will ready by September and with a projected capacity of 12,000, will ensure that the overall capacity of the ground won't drop below the current 65,500.

When completed, Phase Three will have a capacity of 21,500 plus the corporate level. It will include a special children's section with a dedicated restaurant.

The GAA's administrative offices will also move to the Canal End. They will be built on the corporate level and will have the use of the executive boxes as meeting rooms. If Phase Three is to be built next year, it will require a clear site from October and consequently, the GAA will have to find alternative office accommodation for about a year.

It was conceded that demand for corporate facilities might not extend to retaining that level on the Canal End after the Hogan is redeveloped. "The Hogan will tell us the extent of the market," said Power, "and after that we'll reconsider the Canal End and if appropriate alter the facilities.

"The long-term use will be dictated by the market," said Mulvihill. He went on to point out that the demand for corporate facilities had been underestimated in the past. "Corporate research didn't indicate the extent of the demand for Phase One."

It was also confirmed that an athletics track could be laid down in the redeveloped stadium.

The complete redevelopment is projected to cost around £130,000,000.