Time GAA put a lid on fictitious Hill 16 tale

February 24, 2007. One of Irish sport’s greatest days. One of the GAA’s proudest too, as rugby and England were made welcome in Croke Park. 

Brian O’Driscoll and company also played their part as the visitors were bagged and tagged in the red carpet that had been laid out for them prior to the game.

Covering rugby as a second sport to Gaelic games for my previous employers at the time, the Irish Mail on Sunday, my colleagues and I were seated in the press box located in the Hogan Stand alongside those from our UK “sister” newspaper. Looking out at the impressive vista for the first time, one of them commented: “Nice stadium,” before nodding to his left, “but when is it going to be finished?”