IRFU insist Aviva deal means no Croke Park return
Tuesday October 13 2009
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 last Saturday night, 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 yesterday.
"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.
- Hugh Farrelly
Irish Independent
