‘This is the best of both worlds’

LANSDOWNE Road seemed just a distant memory for fans as they travelled to the home of GAA on Dublin’s northside.

It was hard to believe that it was only two years ago that the GAA agreed to temporarily suspend its century-old Rule 42 ban on soccer or rugby being played at Croke Park.

There was a carnival atmosphere on Drumcondra Road with a samba band entertaining the crowds.

For Peter McCarr from Newry, Co Down, it was the second time in just over a week that he witnessed an historic event at the stadium.

Last weekend, the Tyrone fan saw his team beat Dublin at the first floodlit match at the ground.

“It’s a wonderful occasion,” he said. “I’m looking forward to seeing rugby in the best stadium in the world.”

Son Niall McCarr, 35, who has played both rugby and GAA all his life, added: “This is the best of both worlds.

“To have rugby being played here is wonderful.”

“It’s a wonderful stadium and a wonderful occasion,” said GAA fan Eamon O’Reilly from Cavan.

“A lot of people don’t agree with, it but it’s a huge day. It will probably be even better when England comes over, they’ll have a good crowd.

“Croke Park is a marvellous stadium. I travelled to Cardiff for last week’s game and it’s bigger and better than the Millennium Stadium.

“It’s a terrific ground and it’s great to show it off.”

“GAA is my first love and rugby is my second,” said Nicholas Butterly from Co Louth.

“It’s a great day for rugby, it was the only way to go.

“Just look at all the fans still trying to get tickets.”

Shane Rogers, also from Co Louth, said the big match of the season will be against England in two weeks time.

“I will be great to see England playing at big Croke, it will definitely help the peace process.”

While some fans did complain about the €80 price tag on tickets, the majority of people going through the turnstiles were just thrilled to be playing their part in the history books.

As 3pm approached only disappointed fans desperate for tickets were left wandering the streets. Even the ticket touts struggled for business as die-hard supporters refused to part with their golden pass.

While Rugby’s former home at Lansdowne Road is closed for a €350 million redevelopment, Croke Park is expected to attract more than two million sports and music fans.

Throughout the year, it will host two international rugby games, four Ireland soccer matches and four music concerts on top of its usual 25 days of GAA games.