FAI, IRFU play it cool on Croker issue

BOTH the FAI and IRFU have reacted guardedly to this week's Rule 42 controversy.

The fact that Croke Park will remain closed to both sports for another year, however, has brought the prospect of their international teams playing their home games abroad for two seasons a giant step closer.

With Lansdowne Road unavailable to host matches in 2006 and 2007, both representative sides will be seeking alternative accommodation. And while Croke Park would be the perfect landlord for both, the prospects of that happening are disappearing even faster than they already were.