Croker poised to host soccer and rugby in 2007

The GAA tonight signalled that Irish soccer and rugby internationals could be played in Croke Park by 2007.

The 82,000 capacity stadium will be needed by both the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) and the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) when the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road begins.

GAA president Sean Kelly said tonight that both sporting bodies had applied for planning permission for the project.

“By their reckoning, Lansdowne Road should be closed by 2007. So they’ll be coming to talk to us about that in due course and planning obviously in advance for it because those things have to be worked out fairly long in advance,” he said.

“While that’s being developed, we would be delighted to oblige by having the games here.”

Last April, delegates at the GAA’s annual congress passed a motion to give its Central Council the power to authorise the renting or leasing of Croke Park for events other than those controlled by the Association.

The historic vote amended the long-standing Rule 42, which banned the use of GAA grounds by foreign sports.

Mr Kelly, who led the campaign in favour of opening Croke Park, said the GAA had a good cordial relationship with the FAI and IFRU.

“We will ensure that the spirit and the letter of what was passed at congress will be abided by,” he told RTE radio.

The IRFU said it expected planning permission for the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road to be granted within a year and construction to begin in 2007.

“The IRFU have always stated that the decision on the use of Croke Park is entirely a matter for the GAA which the IRFU respects and acknowledges,” said a spokesman.