Croker deal nets GAA €7m bonanza

THE GAA will pocket over €7 million next year under the terms of yesterday’s historic deal with the FAI and IRFU for the use of Croke Park.

Agreement has been finalised on a €1.2m per game minimum rental payment for the five scheduled soccer and rugby matches in 2007. However, the GAA has built in additional payment clauses in the event of a sell-out, sources have confirmed.

With Lansdowne Road closed next year for redevelopment, the France rugby team will be the first to take to the field in front of around 80,000 fans in the 2007 Six Nations Championship on Sunday, February 11.

It is understood that Ireland’s first home game in next year’s Six Nations was scheduled to be against England, but was taken off the agenda before negotiations began with the GAA on the grounds of “political sensitivity”.

Without the standing terrace of Hill 16, capacity for soccer internationals would be 70,000 but if the decision is made to install bucket seats on the Hill - an initiative for which it is equipped - the ground will be able to accommodate an extra 5,000 for the Euro qualifiers.

At least three Republic of Ireland Euro 2008 qualifiers will be played at Croke Park next year, though any additional discussions on soccer friendlies at GAA headquarters are “off the table” for the present.

“The situation post-2007 has not been discussed or considered and any future application will be reviewed in the context of the Lansdowne Road Development project in 2007,” an agreed all-party statement said.

The deal marks the end of years of fevered national debate about the future of the country’s premier sports stadium.

Agreement has also been reached on the thorny question of Croke Park’s corporate boxes. The GAA will receive a percentage of the corporate take, and companies with existing facilities at the stadium will be given first refusal on their usage for soccer and rugby games by the FAI and IRFU. However, one issue remains unclear - whether those companies will be entitled to any remuneration if they hand over their box to the two organisations.

The GAA’s negotiating team has also won another important concession - the right to promote their games on the massive stadium screen during rugby and soccer internationals.

GAA president Sean Kelly said he was pleased that agreement had been reached between the respective sporting organisations.

He said the development was practical and necessary to ensure Irish sport and its fans did not have to travel abroad and the Irish economy will still benefit from home games while Lansdowne Road Stadium is being developed.

FAI chief executive John Delaney added: “The prospect of the Irish International soccer team playing in Croke Park will appeal to everyone who has an interest in sport.”

IRFU chief executive Philip Browne said: “It will be a major celebration for Irish sport and indeed for the general public in Ireland. The entire rugby community looks forward to what will be magnificent sporting occasions at Croke Park.”