IRFU and FAI tightlipped on news of Croker talks

BOTH the IRFU and the FAI remained tightlipped on the significance of yesterday's news that Rule 42 and the possible opening of Croke Park to soccer and rugby will definitely be discussed at the GAA's upcoming Annual Congress.

Lansdowne Road is due to be closed from the end of next year until some time in 2008 to undergo a major facelift, which will leave Irish soccer and rugby international teams without a home venue during that period.

Should Croke Park not be made available by the GAA then both teams would have to play their home matches in a venue in Britain.

The FAI, as they have done throughout the Rule 42 debate, preferred not to make any comment whatsoever on the recent development within Croke Park.

So too, the IRFU, although spokesman John Redmond elaborated on the choices facing the Union. "We accept and respect entirely the fact that this is a decision for the GAA alone. We have not played any part in the debate, nor will we do so now. It is an internal decision for the GAA."

Redmond went on to say that the IRFU's situation regarding a home venue for the period of Lansdowne's reconstruction remains the same.

"Our situation is, and always has been, that we turn the first sod on the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road at the end of 2006 for completion in 2008," said Redmond. "During that period we will be looking for a stadium that can accommodate at least 50,000 spectators for our home games. If that is not available in Ireland then, obviously, we will have to look elsewhere."

Venues like Parkhead in Glasgow and Anfield in Liverpool have been mooted as possible stadiums for the Republic of Ireland's home games should the debate at Congress not result in Croke Park becoming available to Brian Kerr's team. The IRFU would be looking elsewhere.

"If it was the case (that Ireland had to play our home games abroad) then Britain is the obvious place to look and you would have to be talking about the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff and Twickenham, although not for any game against England obviously."

Redmond also confirmed that the early stages in the Lansdowne Road project such as the tendering process and the appointment of a site manager have gone according to schedule.