gaa v soccer

[Alec Horan]

what a enlightened dick head u ar

truth hurts does it ?

[westcorklad]

Just to clarify, while I enjoy both football and hurling, I abhor the mindset that introduced the ban on GAA players participating in or going to watch "foreign games" and the ban an people participating in Gaelic games because of their occupation. In a modern pluralist Ireland, there should be no room for these unfortunate legacies of history.

The powers that be in the GAA have come a very long way in recent years and they should be congratulated on this. Croke Park is, for better or worse, in effect the "National Stadium of Ireland" and it should be up to the GAA do decide whether it should be made available for other sporting/cultural activities. As as die-hard rugby fanatic, I hope that the GAA continue to make Croke Park available to the IRFU, because it makes good commercial sense both ways.

There is an arguement, that the Government heavily grant aided the redevelopment of Croke Park, but this does not mean that the GAA council should be tied to allowing Croke Park be used for just any old thing. Most GAA grounds were developed solely through the GAA's own resources and via takings at the turnstiles. Further more, or the end of the day, the GAA is probably more democratic in it's decision making processes then most other sporting organisations.

So in conclusion, Ciarrai abu, Cill Chainnigh abu, Leinster abu agus Munster abu, ach sorry brothers, fcuk the FAI.

Sorry Carlos but it seems that the IRFU are not looking for games to be played in Croker after this season.

THE IRFU have reiterated they will not be seeking to use Croke Park for any matches once the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road is completed next April.

The question of soccer and rugby continuing to be accommodated in Croke Park has come up for debate again after Ireland drew 2-2 in their World Cup qualifier with Italy with that match being described as having the best atmosphere since soccer was allowed into GAA headquarters.

The difference in capacities is the main talking point with the new stadium holding 50,000, as compared to Croke Park's 82,300 for rugby and 76,000 for soccer. And, although the temporary deal to open Croke Park was always stipulated to end when Lansdowne Road became available again, the GAA's satisfaction with the success of the venture (which nets them a minimum rent of €1.3m per game) and their apparent openness to similar arrangements in the future led to speculation that one-off internationals would be possible.

Aviva have acquired the naming rights to Lansdowne Road and it is understood the insurers will pull the plug on their investment if there any moves to switch certain matches (such as Six Nations meetings with England and France) back to Croke Park as it would constitute a breach of contract.

However, the IRFU are adamant that such a policy was never on the agenda -- and never will be.

"The business model put in place to fund the building of the Aviva Stadium has been predicated upon Ireland playing all of its rugby fixtures in the home of Irish rugby," said an IRFU spokesman.

"It is funded by way of commercial contracts with suppliers, 10-year ticket holders, box holders and, most importantly, our naming rights partner Aviva. While we are indebted to the GAA for the opening up and use of Croke Park, it was always made clear to the IRFU that Croke Park would only be available during the redevelopment of the Aviva Stadium."

Ireland are due to play their first international at the Aviva Stadium on November 6, 2010, against world champions South Africa, followed by matches against Samoa, New Zealand and Argentina.

[cartman]

Not at all..........do I rattle yours???

I noticed a few....... in there...........

Thanks, you actually made me laugh out loud there.........

ur welcome

[carlos marvado]

Sorry Carlos but it seems that the IRFU are not looking for games to be played in Croker after this season.

THE IRFU have reiterated they will not be seeking to use Croke Park for any matches once the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road is completed next April.

The question of soccer and rugby continuing to be accommodated in Croke Park has come up for debate again after Ireland drew 2-2 in their World Cup qualifier with Italy with that match being described as having the best atmosphere since soccer was allowed into GAA headquarters.

The difference in capacities is the main talking point with the new stadium holding 50,000, as compared to Croke Park's 82,300 for rugby and 76,000 for soccer. And, although the temporary deal to open Croke Park was always stipulated to end when Lansdowne Road became available again, the GAA's satisfaction with the success of the venture (which nets them a minimum rent of €1.3m per game) and their apparent openness to similar arrangements in the future led to speculation that one-off internationals would be possible.

Aviva have acquired the naming rights to Lansdowne Road and it is understood the insurers will pull the plug on their investment if there any moves to switch certain matches (such as Six Nations meetings with England and France) back to Croke Park as it would constitute a breach of contract.

However, the IRFU are adamant that such a policy was never on the agenda -- and never will be.

"The business model put in place to fund the building of the Aviva Stadium has been predicated upon Ireland playing all of its rugby fixtures in the home of Irish rugby," said an IRFU spokesman.

"It is funded by way of commercial contracts with suppliers, 10-year ticket holders, box holders and, most importantly, our naming rights partner Aviva. While we are indebted to the GAA for the opening up and use of Croke Park, it was always made clear to the IRFU that Croke Park would only be available during the redevelopment of the Aviva Stadium."

Ireland are due to play their first international at the Aviva Stadium on November 6, 2010, against world champions South Africa, followed by matches against Samoa, New Zealand and Argentina.

Yes Wcl, I am aware of the IRFU's contractual commitments to the Aviva Stadium, but if the GAA saw fit to open up Croke Park beyond the opening of the Aviva Stadium, there might be other possibilities which might not conflict with the IRFU's contractual commitments. I am thinking primarily of competitions organised by the ERC (Heineken Cup) and IRB (World Cup). Would the IRFU's contractual commitments also tie the Leinster and Munster branches for example to using Aviva rather than Croke Park? If you compare the capacity figures for Croke Park against other stadiums:

Twickenham 82,000
Millennium Stadium 74,500
Stadt de France 80,000 approx
Murrayfield 67,800

Croke Park 82,500 v Aviva Stadium 50,000.

it becomes obvious, that the availability of Croke Park would greatly enhance the chances of Ireland hosting a Heineken Cup Final (ideally between Leinster and Munster) and would also enhance the possibility of the 3 Celtic nations being able to host a Rugby World Cup on their own. From a tourism and PR perspective, it would make a lot of sense.