Now the talking begins

A SUCCESSFUL IRFU planning process is crucial to the historic opening up of Croke Park for a rugby international in early 2007.

While Saturday’s meeting of the GAA Central Council gave the go-ahead for negotiations with the IRFU and the FAI for the playing of competitive international fixtures in GAA headquarters, it’s based on the understanding there will be no delay in the planning application in regard to the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road.

In the event of the rugby ground not being closed in 2007 - as envisaged - it’s accepted that the process of “opening up” Croke Park in about 15 months time would have to be re-examined.