The idea of the All Blacks or Springboks, Pumas or Wallabies running out at the home of hurling (Semple Stadium, Thurles) or to the stunning backdrop of the Magillacuddy Reeks (Fitzgerald stadium, Killarney) inched a little closer to reality last week.

“We’ll be putting a motion to Congress next April which would allow a feasibility study to be done by the IRFU regarding hosting the rugby World Cup,” said GAA director general Páraic Duffy when asked about the union’s bid for the 2023 tournament. “Clearly, it wouldn’t be possible to run the event here without the use of some GAA grounds.” Very true, but Duffy also appears to have grasped the silver lining.

“It’s a matter for Congress to decide if we should make grounds available, but, obviously, there’s a potential benefit there for the GAA . . . Government support for the bid is crucial and that would have to involve refurbishing GAA grounds to bring them up to the standard required for such a major world event.”