IRFU & FAI to keep options open
Saturday, 16 April 2005 18:28Both the Irish Rugby Football Union and the Football Association of Ireland have welcomed the GAA's decision to remove the absolute ban on non-GAA sports in Croke Park, but have pledged to continue to examine all venue options ahead of the planned closing down of Lansdowne Road for redevelopment.
In a statement issued today the IRFU said: "The Irish Rugby Football Union has always stated that during the proposed re-development of Lansdowne Road that it would investigate its options of temporary accommodation, both inside and outside the country, taking account of the logistical and commercial perspectives.
"The Union respects that the availability of Croke Park was entirely at the discretion of the GAA and its members and appreciates and welcomes the change in policy that Croke Park may now become available for the staging of other sporting events."
This was echoed by the FAI's statement on the GAA's decision:
"As we co-ordinate and plan our games schedule for 2007, during the course of the next 18 months, we will investigate all venue options available to us. When we require to commit to specific venues for these matches, we will have evaluated all aspects of the venue decision including footballing, logistical and commercial issues.
"The FAI welcomes the decision of the GAA to enable the consideration of Croke Park's availability to other sports through its Central Council in certain circumstances. While decisions relating to our home games due to take place when Lansdowne Road is under re-development are some way off, we welcome the fact that Croke Park may become available at that time."
