Playing home games abroad a huge pity, says Ahern

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern yesterday said it would be a huge pity if Irish soccer and rugby teams had to go to England, Scotland or Wales to play matches while Lansdowne Road was being redeveloped.

But he stressed there were no strings attached to the €40 million which the Government announced on Thursday that it was giving the GAA towards the redevelopment of Croke Park.

This will bring the total Exchequer contribution to the project to €110m, which represents 42% of the €265m total cost.