Open up Croke Park, we need the cash!

Dear Sean,

“I’ve spoken to the lads, they tell me it was a fantastic experience, the highlight of their playing careers to date. Beating England in front of 84,000 spectators made for a truly unique and emotional occasion. In fact, the extra capacity meant that we could cater for far more of the genuine, hardcore rugby supporters than would have been the case in Lansdowne Road, and the boys have already made clear just how important that support was, from Hill 16 especially, in those long minutes when we were under the cosh.

“From your own point of view, I presume you are well satisfied with the additional exposure your own games have had worldwide as a result of this. Previously, the rugby world was probably under the impression that all we had in this country by way of sporting stadia was Lansdowne Road, which is long past its best days.