All eyes now on Croker

THE GAA could agree to open up Croke Park on a once-off basis to host the 2008 European Soccer championships, but only if it managed to negotiate a financial package with the Government that would be too good to turn down.

Mr Quinn said: "I have absolutely no idea at this stage how the association should respond to the request. But, the fact that the motion on the use of Croke Park was so heavily defeated at Congress will influence how the request is approached."

"I have no doubt that there will be a degree of opposition to any change of association policy.

"The possible implications of a change of policy for other stadia around the country, as well as club and county grounds, were flagged as a genuine concern at Congress this year. And, I have no doubt that this will continue to be a concern."

Mr Quinn also revealed that he was not aware of a motion calling for a change of policy being tabled for the October Special Congress.

While the committee favoured the Central Council being given the right to decide on a request for the use of Croke Park for other sports, he said it was conceivable that counties did not feel the need to make a proposal after the way the motion (from Clare) had been rejected in April.

"I'm not sure if this will be seen as defining policy on the issue, or if it was a short term tactical decision. To be honest, I don't know," he said.

Mr Quinn also wondered if a change of policy would be regarded as the "most radical" in the history of the association.

"Decisions that would be considered just as radical have been taken," he said, referring to the abolition of the "ban" rule in 1971 and the more recent dropping of the ban on membership of the association by British armed forces and police. He also referred to the change in championship structures over the past few years.

Beleaguered FAI chiefs, who abandoned plans for their own stadium at the behest of the Government, on the basis that Stadium Ireland would be soccer's new home, said last night they were studying the implications of the Government decision but would not be make an immediate statement.

The association said it would hold a board of management meeting on Friday and would discuss the decision then. A statement would then be issued.

IRFU chiefs admitted they were "very disappointed" at the news on the national stadium, having supported the concept from the outset.

"It is very unfortunate that the opportunity to build a national stadium appears to have been lost. We must now go back and consider our options with regards to Lansdowne Road," chief executive Philip Browne said.

On the 2008 Euro bid, Scottish Tory sports spokesman Brian Monteith said last night: ''This is deeply disappointing news, especially on the eve of the inspection visits to Dublin by UEFA.

"It is a matter for the Irish whether the stadium is built with public or private money, but it is important we get a clear commitment that they can deliver on their part of the bid," Mr Monteith said.

The 2008 bid is unlikely to be damaged by the news, with the bid team already banking on three stadiums in Ireland rather than pinning their hopes solely on two, a Euro 2008 promotions spokesman said.

He said the bid did not need to designate its selected stadiums before UEFA votes on the 2008 hosts in December.

The stadiums do not have to be ready until 18 months before the first game is played in the competition.