FAI and IRFU gain approval for Croker

The GAA have today confirmed that they have provisionally approved applications from both the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) and the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) for the use of Croke Park for "friendly/ranking games" in 2008.

The two governing bodies, who recently submitted requests to use the venue, are seeking to stage further matches at GAA headquarters next year while the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road continues.

And after a meeting of the GAA's Central Council today, the following statement was released.

"At its meeting today, the Central Council of the GAA provisionally approved an application from the FAI and IRFU respectively to play two friendly/ranking games each at Croke Park in 2008.

"The Central Council's decision is contingent on agreement being reached with the respective governing bodies on terms and dates," the statement said.

"The competitive games already approved for 2008 are on February 2, February 23 and March 8 (all rugby) and October 11 and 15 (both soccer)."

The 82,300-capacity Croke Park stadium made history earlier this year by hosting both rugby and soccer internationals.

The Irish rugby team played two of their 2007 RBS Six Nations fixtures - against France and England - at the Dublin 3 ground in February, while the following month saw Steve Staunton's Republic of Ireland side take to the Croker sward to face Wales and Slovakia in two UEFA Euro 2008 qualifers.