Croke Park - The wait is almost over

And so the time has finally has come. After years of debate, protracted arguments and much media dissection, a dream held by many Irish sports fans is about to be realised. As the GAA welcome their IRFU and FAI brothers to Croke Park, we are on the threshold of something truly historical and unique in Irish sport. 

Watch Croke Park - The Opening Hour here.

Never before have 82,000 fans had the opportunity to witness an Irish professional team in action on these shores, but thanks to the determination, vision and good will of men like Roscommon duo Gerry Flanagan and Tommy Kenoy and former GAA President Sean Kelly that is to become a reality this Sunday.

The International Rules series with Australia aside, there has never been a gathering of Irish sports fans of this magnitude on this island. And for that we are all to be grateful to those who ensured the amendments to Rule 42 which paved the way for the historical events to come at GAA HQ over the coming months, regardless of results on the pitch for both codes.

Sure, there are legendary tales of Irish ingenuity and endeavour which ensured we outnumbered the Italians 4:1 at New Jersey’s Giants Stadium back in 1994, and similar stories from Munster’s Heineken Cup triumph at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium last May.

But this is different. This is on home soil. And this is Croke Park.

Standing tall over the terraced streets of Dublin’s north inner city, Croker shines proud as a beacon to all that is good about the GAA. A stadium to match any in the world, the Drumcondra venue is testament to the new wave of optimism and confidence within the organisation and a visual statement of the GAA’s place in most Irish communities.

And as it enters a new era of playing landlord to its rugby and soccer neighbours, the stadium is sure to become more things to more people.

How could it not? Steeped in history from its inception, be it the rubble of the GPO which helped form the foundations of Hill 16 or its hosting of some of the greatest sporting occasions of the last 100 years, the stadium is very much a part of the fabric of Irish sporting society. Throw in concerts from U2, Garth Brooks, the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Special Olympics, to name but a few, and it is unlikely there are many who have not passed through its turnstiles.

And now we await as a new chapter in the stadium’s history is written. Just eight days after the GAA themselves heralded a new era with the switching on of the Croke Park floodlights, the second stage of a triple leap into the unknown is upon us.

Eddie O’Sullivan’s high-flying squad are the first of the new tenants to experience the vast expanses of the Croke Park pitch, before Steve Staunton hopes to revitalise his side’s Euro 2008 qualifying campaign with two much needed wins over Wales and Slovakia.

Both sides approach their historic debuts in vastly different mood.

Six Nations favourites Ireland, with O’Driscoll, D’Arcy and O’Connell acknowledged as three of the world’s best, are in buoyant humour as they welcome defending champions France.

They are widely and justifiably touted as tournament favourites after an all-conquering autumn saw them account for South Africa, Australia and the Pacific Islands with considerable aplomb. The nation expects great things and believe this will be the year to end a Grand Slam famine that stretches back to 1949.

Many observers see the Croke Park factor as being the making or breaking of this Championship chasing side. From 1-35, this Irish squad is full of accomplished and experienced performers, all of whom have thrived in the melting pot of the Heineken Cup.

Despite a less than spectacular performance against the Welsh, they still came away with a three-try to zero victory over a side sure to cause others problems this year. The manner of the victory in Cardiff should serve to reinforce the belief inside the squad that Championships are not easily won, and that a significant improvement is needed if home wins are to be gained over France and England.

The possible absence of O'Driscoll through injury will be a huge loss, but the return of Shane Horgan to the starting XV should soften that blow.

If Ireland can pick up the four points against their two main rivals and another two points can be garnered from the trip to Murrayfield, then the scene will be set for a St Patrick's Day decider in Rome. Can we do it? Let's hope so.

On the soccer side of things, the mood is significantly more downbeat after what can only be described as a nightmare start to the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.

Defeats to Germany and Cyprus, a draw with the Czech Republic and a last second victory over part-timers San Marino have led to many calling for Steve Staunton's resignation. Questions have been asked about Staunton's ability to prepare and motivate a side which, on paper, should certainly be more than a match for the likes of Cyprus and San Marino.

Anything less than two wins at Croke Park this March will see the fans' frustrations with Staunton and FAI Chief Executive John Delaney grow. Of course, Delaney is the man who unveiled managerial novice Staunton after promising a 'world class manager' after Brian Kerr's sacking.

The occasion alone and the Irish players' familiarity with their Welsh counterparts should see us account for John Toshack's men on 24 March, but Slovakia will provide a sterner test four days later.

However, two wins and, perhaps more importantly, two improved performances, should give both men a little breathing space and establish us as the closest challengers to group favourites Germany and the Czech Republic. But if I'm honest, any realistic chance we had of qualifying went out the window with that embarrassing 5-2 defeat in Cyprus.

The jury is very much out on Staunton, but the nation still lives in hope.

But back to this Sunday, and what is expected to be the largest attendance at a sports event anywhere in the world this weekend.

For the first time ever, rugby fans from all 32 counties and beyond will descend on Croke Park for what will be a momentous and historical occasion.

Let's hope Eddie O'Sullivan's men get the Croke Park era off to the perfect start with the victory that keeps our Six Nations charge on track. 

Shane Murray

Watch all of this year's RBS 6 Nations matches live on RTÉ Two and RTÉ.ie. Listen to all of Ireland's matches live on RTÉ Radio 1 FM, MW and LW 252.