Time is right to ‘open up’ Croke Park for good
On Saturday night, the World Cup play-off between the Republic of Ireland and France took place at GAA headquarters in front of almost 75,000 spectators. The atmosphere was electric and even though the hosts were beaten by a freakish deflection, it was nice to see the Irish team applauded off the field by the fans – a rare sight in modern professional soccer.
There wasn’t much time to turn the stadium around for the rugby international on Sunday afternoon but such is the level of expertise at the stadium that you’d hardly know the pitch was taking a second major game in under 18 hours. And what a performance Ireland gave, with a brilliant try by the genius Brian O’Driscoll bringing a great smile to the nation’s face.
Sadly however the scenes witnessed in Croke Park last weekend may not be witnessed again.
With the Aviva Stadium due to open next year, it is seems certain all future soccer and rugby internationals will be played at the Lansdowne Road venue.
Philip Browne and John Delaney informed me at the weekend that everything is going to plan and that come next summer, their brand new stadium will be open for business.
This means, of course, that Croke Park may no longer be required and the temporary setting aside of Rule 42 comes to an end. The status quo prior to the landmark decision of congress 2005 would apply.
Is this a good idea? No.
Should anything be done about it? In my book, very definitely.
But if Croke Park is to be used again for rugby and soccer or any other ‘foreign games’, it requires a needy tenant and a willing landlord. The landlord is the GAA and that is why it is vital that motions go before Congress this year extending the opening of Croke Park indefinitely.
This would merely transfer decision making from Annual Congress to Central Council. Any application for the use of Croke Park, if the opening to other sports was made permanent, would have to go to Central Council for approval – a sensible move as Central Council represents all counties in the Association, including abroad.
The opening of Croke Park has worked out very well for the GAA. The GAA has gained the kind of worldwide exposure – all of it positive – that money couldn’t buy. It has also brought huge goodwill and is one of the few institutions people are reluctant to knock. Imagine if Croke Park was not opened and home internationals were played abroad.
The outcome would have been disastrous for the GAA and the country.
Then, of course, there is the rental income that the GAA has earned as a result of its generosity. Shortly now, we will see centres of excellence being built all over the county as a result of the monies gained from soccer and rugby. Whether this is the best use that could be made of the money is debatable – I would prefer to see more going to the clubs – but without the opening of Croke Park, there wouldn’t be any spare cash to be handed out.
What has the GAA to gain ‘closing’ Croke Park again? Nothing, I believe.
I have no doubt, that even though Lansdowne Road has been redeveloped, that occasions will arise in the future when Croke Park will be required if available. There may be Rugby World Cup and European or World Cups played in this part of the world. Croke Park could be a major asset in not only helping to win future bids for these tournaments but could also host many glamorous games.
And, of course, there is the major consideration that the new stadium can only hold 50,000 spectators. While there are commitments to sponsors, corporate box and premium ticket holders that these games must be played in the Aviva, couldn’t a deal be struck with the GAA to honour all those deals if the games were to be played in Croke Park?
This would allow the IRFU and FAI to play major fixtures in Croke Park with the big difference that up to 32,500 extra fans could be accommodated. Sports depend on the fans and why deny 32,500 fans the possibility of going to a game?
Congress must decide the temporary opening of Croke Park be made permanent. Anything else is shortsighted and sends out all the wrong signals at a time when Ireland needs to pull together. Sport has often given that lead. The GAA can do so again.
