Lansdowne deal to net over €40m

NO-ONE was willing to talk hard cash but Hibernian Aviva have paid a figure north of e40m to claim the naming rights on the new stadium on Lansdowne Road.

Some estimates even crept past the mid-40s but the common consensus is that the IRFU and FAI did well. Very well. The deal has been signed for 10 years and comes with the option of a five-year extension.

What it means is the last link with the old ground called Lansdowne Road has now been erased. When the futuristic new arena reopens in April of next year it will be officially known as the Aviva Stadium.