Croke Park 2008: 2 games only

[Superhoops]

Only 2 games in CP in 2008, then no more!

The Central Council of the GAA have agreed to allow the IRFU and FAI use Croke Park in 2008.

The IRFU will hold three Six Nations games at GAA HQ in early 2008, while the FAI will use the stadium to host two 2010 World Cup qualifiers as the Lansdowne Road redevelopment project continues.

The GAA said: 'It was agreed to accede to the IRFU and FAI's request to hold three Six Nations rugby and two World Cup soccer qualifier games respectively in Croke Park in the Spring and Autumn of 2008.'

However, the GAA said that the use of Croke Park would not extend past 2008 even if the Lansdowne project should experience delays as 'the 2005 Congress decision in relation to use of the Stadium is no longer applicable post 2008.'

Almost 82,000 watched Ireland lose to France in the first rugby game at the famous venue last week, while the football team will hope for a reversal of fortunes when they take on Wales on 24 March.

Today's Central Council meeting in Croke Park also raised the issue of the Shamrock Rovers' ground at Tallaght.

Some delegates expressed disappointment that a 'reciprocal gesture' was not being made to the GAA on the basis of the opening up of Croke Park.

The association confirmed that no other GAA grounds would be made available to the IRFU and FAI but also that no application had been made by the two associations.

The GAA added that an application to host to friendly games in 2008 by both associations was not discussed at the meeting.

The association also dismissed rumours that a wreath would be laid commemorating the victims of Bloody Sunday before Ireland play England in the RBS Six Nations next Sunday.

[superfrank]

Fair play to them.

[pete]

Talk about drip feed. The GAA are milking this for all its worth. Its not like they making 1.5m profit per game either...

:rolleyes:

[Claret Murph]

That's the GAA for you , they will shake your right hand and stab you in the back with their left . And one wonders why I have hated them all my life AND STILL DO .

[Poor Student]

What is the current status of the planning application for Landsdowne?

Is it possible the GAA are playing financial hardball and might like to negotiate an even more extortionate deal should the FAI/IRFU have to return with the begging basket?

[Bluetonic]

Planning reference 1086/06

http://www.dublincity.ie/swiftlg/apas/run/wphappcriteria.display

[Superhoops]

What is the current status of the planning application for Landsdowne?
A final decision from An Bord Pleanala is expected to be announced on Thursday.

[Bondvillain]

That's the GAA for you , they will shake your right hand and stab you in the back with their left . And one wonders why I have hated them all my life AND STILL DO .


In fairness, I hate them too, but their house, their rules.

It isnt the GAA's fault that in Ireland, planning applications are dealt with by the Soprano's Irish cousins, and our International Football is administrated by fraggles, so you cant really fault them for making a sound business decision and assisting other sports while doing it, all within an agreed timeframe.

The GAA have many many unpleasant characteristics. Being unwilling to take up the slack after the Government & the FAI's repeated screw-ups isn't really one of them.

[OwlsFan]

The GAA have many many unpleasant characteristics. Being unwilling to take up the slack after the Government & the FAI's repeated screw-ups isn't really one of them.

Why not add IRFU screw ups as well :confused: ?

[gspain]

It mayactually be a help in getting planning permission.

Lots of calls after the rugby to play all games there from now on. The last thing the FAI need is for Lansdowne to be scuppered and to have to play permanently at Croke Park at unfavourable rent.

The lack of friendlies is not a major issue for football. We would have needed Brazil or England to make them viable given the GAA's rental giarantee. This is a huge issue for rugby though as their lucrative Autumn Internationals ar enow excluded.

The influence of the hardline bigots has not gone away though and this is clearly a sop to them.

[Chippy]

In all reality, there isn't a hope of LR being completed by the end of 2008. Where are our WC qualifiers going to be played in 2009 ?? Are we likely to have to go to Britain after all to play ??

[Bondvillain]

The GAA have many many unpleasant characteristics. Being unwilling to take up the slack after the Government & the FAI's repeated screw-ups isn't really one of them

Why not add IRFU screw ups as well :confused: ?

Because having both voted for polititians and paid to attend F.A.I. organised football matches in the past, I am well aware of their capacity for uselessness, chicanery, extortion and outright lies.

Having never attended a rugby match in my life, and being completely unaware of the IRFU's day-to-day business, (other than I am aware that they allow the homeless F.A.I. to play on their ground) I feel it it would be unfair of me to pass ill informed comment on them without knowing their history.

[NeilMcD]

We wont be playing competitive home games in Britain at any point. I think this suits all parties to be honest because as GSpain said there were calls for games to be played in Croke Park in the fututre. That would not suit the FAI or the IRFU to be honest as they need a home. If LR gets into planning problems the GAA will open its doors again in 2009 but they are not going to promise that at the start of 2007.

[elroy]

We wont be playing competitive home games in Britain at any point. I think this suits all parties to be honest because as GSpain said there were calls for games to be played in Croke Park in the fututre. That would not suit the FAI or the IRFU to be honest as they need a home. If LR gets into planning problems the GAA will open its doors again in 2009 but they are not going to promise that at the start of 2007.

Exactly I think there is alot of spin on the above statement. At the moment there is still a few dissenting voices around so the gaa is not going to make croke park available open ended. There is no way LR will be available in 2009. I think its very unlikely that the gaa would turn around in a years time and say thanks lads thats it and wave goodbye to around €10m a year.

Also I think a compromise will be reached on the friendlies/tests, on a game by game basis. Once we reach the end of march i think alot of the fuss of using croke park will have died down and there wouldnt be so much hype etc everytime an international is to take place there.

On the side, i think the calls for rugby to be played there period as premature and a bit insensitive to the gaa at this time. Im not much of a fan of how the gaa have behaved throughout this but i dont such calls are uncalled for and unnecessary at this time. In time after all the fuss has calmed down and new LR is up and running, then maybe it could be looked at on a game by game basis.

[geysir]

That would appear to be the case. Nothing has changed. The origional decision to open Croke PK was not open ended. The GAA Central Council have decided that there is no need to debate or vote on the issue of extending it at present. As the Examiner reports
"that a serious hold-up (on Landsdowne RD.) would result in the GAA membership having to re-address Rule 42 at a future Congress."
The juices are already rolling with the CC members on how and where the rent money should be allocated.
If all goes well, any support for principled opposition is sure to dwindle in time.

[pineapple stu]

In all reality, there isn't a hope of LR being completed by the end of 2008. Where are our WC qualifiers going to be played in 2009 ?? Are we likely to have to go to Britain after all to play ??
The way the team's going, you could probably host the games in Belfield by then.

[paul_oshea]

If all goes well, any support for principled opposition is sure to dwindle in time.

once that fraction of dissenters see the money being well spent as it always is by the GAA, those voices will become less and less, however I have to say I can agree with not allowing football and rugby there forever. In the longer term, there would definately be conflicts over getting use of the stadium around certain months etc.

[lopez]

What is the financial situation of the GAA and Croke Park without our (football and rugger-bugger) dosh? I'd like to see both sports played there permanently. It's just the grab all association running the place that bugs me.

[GavinZac]

that rubbish about a "reciprocal gesture" with regard to tallaght is disgusting. are they suggesting that some how by selling the use of croke park for a few days a year they should be entitled to use an FAI ground whenever they want?

its like your landlord stipulating that as part of your rental agreement they can pop 'round your mam's house every day and watch a bit of corrie

[clearskies]

well as said before, it is their ground, they own it and they decide how to run it..
think its only fair to wait on planning application to see if that extension goes through to 2009..but it is definitley not an open ended agreement, and im happy with that!
i work in croke park week in, week out and totally agree with the ground opening up, just leave it in the GAA's hands.

[Student Mullet]

well as said before, it is their ground, they own it and they decide how to run it..Agree 100%, a bit like the government and Tallaght.

[Ordinary Fan]

The GAA a annoyed that the 6 nations could have been played at Lansdowne Road and at the rate of planning development the EC qualifiers in March, which I would prefer anyway.

I agree that it is better for the GAA to come the heavy hand because it will help getting the planning permition approved. If work starts in the next few months, the GAA CC will be more open to allowing some additional games and the qualifiers in 2009 (if required).

[Collyontour]

I agree that it is better for the GAA to come the heavy hand because it will help getting the planning permition approved. If work starts in the next few months, the GAA CC will be more open to allowing some additional games and the qualifiers in 2009 (if required).

I wouldn't be too sure about that. There's a lot of wealthy residents around Landsdowne (barristers, solicitors, planners) who are probably objecting and people like that are used to getting their own way. With the FAI involved, I wouldn't be too confident about Landsdowne opening any time soon.

[endabob1]

With the FAI involved, I wouldn't be too confident about Landsdowne opening any time soon.

How are the FAI involved in the planning/building, I thought they were just tennants?

[First]

That's the GAA for you , they will shake your right hand and stab you in the back with their left . And one wonders why I have hated them all my life AND STILL DO .

Claret Murph are you the first ghost to post on foot.ie:)

[jmurphyc]

How are the FAI involved in the planning/building, I thought they were just tennants?

Apparently they got involved in the building process. delaney said he could find some world class builders to do the job for a pittance.

[Collyontour]

How are the FAI involved in the planning/building, I thought they were just tennants?

I thought they were involved with the planning application, no?

[First]

Lets leave the GAA to get on with their own business, and a great job they do of it too. Every small village in the country has their own GAA pitch that has been provided by the proper management of the resourses they get their hands on.

Fair enough if they have allowed the FAI and IRFU the use of their wonderful facility and granted it will generate alot of revenue for the GAA but you can be garunteed that that money will find its way back to the grass roots of the association.

To talk of Croke Park becoming a long term fixture is folly and thankfully the GAA are saying this . Remember that the GAA hold a conference to bring about change and it is representional of the members of all GAA clubs in Ireland. Also lets be fair, it is also a lot more transparent. If the IRFU and FAI have , and I don't beleive they will have to play a game on foreign soil then it can't be veiwed as a black mark against the GAA. Remember that the GAA is seen as the cornerstone of most Irish peoples lives and it is something that is held very dear to them and that is why they have the facilities to give the games they love a proper place to call home.

[paudie]

How are the FAI involved in the planning/building, I thought they were just tennants?

Aren't the FAI and IRFU partners in the company set up to run the stadium, when it's built?

Presumably this company has some input in the construction process as well.

[paudie]

that rubbish about a "reciprocal gesture" with regard to tallaght is disgusting. are they suggesting that some how by selling the use of croke park for a few days a year they should be entitled to use an FAI ground whenever they want?

its like your landlord stipulating that as part of your rental agreement they can pop 'round your mam's house every day and watch a bit of corrie

It's more like your landlord stopping your mother moving in to her new house because his snooker table won't fit in the front room:)

[Superhoops]

Aren't the FAI and IRFU partners in the company set up to run the stadium, when it's built?

Presumably this company has some input in the construction process as well.
According to the website blurb:

Lansdowne Road Stadium Development Company (LRSDC) was established in September 2004 to redevelop the stadium into a world class sporting facility.

LRSDC is a joint venture between the IRFU and the FAI. The company’s chairman is Philip Browne, chief executive of the IRFU.

[lopez]

I wouldn't be too sure about that. There's a lot of wealthy residents around Landsdowne (barristers, solicitors, planners) who are probably objecting and people like that are used to getting their own way. With the FAI involved, I wouldn't be too confident about Landsdowne opening any time soon.I do wish Dublin planning laws were more like London. An area with barristers, solicitors et al, would have a sink estate dumped in the middle of it or a caravan site by the briefly elected hippies on the borough council. They'd be grateful of a football stadium.

[paul_oshea]

world class sporting facility

Did delaney set up this company?

[paul_oshea]

An area with barristers, solicitors et al, would have a sink estate dumped in the middle of it or a caravan site by the briefly elected hippies on the borough council

ya the tinkers have a great aul site down around kennsington/chelsea/fulham/earls court/......etc! ;)

[Superhoops]

Did delaney set up this company?

I think you will find that it was set up before Delaney became CEO. I may be wrong but I think that Fran Rooney was involved in setting it up.

I think soccerc will know.

[Irish_Praha]

I think you will find that it was set up before Delaney became CEO. I may be wrong but I think that Fran Rooney was involved in setting it up.

I think soccerc will know.

Yeah Paul you should ask him.

[Lionel Ritchie]

In all reality, there isn't a hope of LR being completed by the end of 2008. Where are our WC qualifiers going to be played in 2009 ?? Are we likely to have to go to Britain after all to play ??


Would that be so terrible? It's certainly been my preferred option from the outset. I think we're playing at Croker for at least as many political reasons as supposed football ones.

[lopez]

Would that be so terrible? It's certainly been my preferred option from the outset. I think we're playing at Croker for at least as many political reasons as supposed football ones.Why would that be a better option?

[paul_oshea]

I think you will find that it was set up before Delaney became CEO. I may be wrong but I think that Fran Rooney was involved in setting it up.

Superhoops, I was being smart....

[Collyontour]

Would that be so terrible? It's certainly been my preferred option from the outset. I think we're playing at Croker for at least as many political reasons as supposed football ones.

Playing our home games abroad would be a complete disaster. How many home fans would travel to Britain for games against the likes of Cyprus and San Marino? We spend enough on away trips as it is.

[lopez]

Playing our home games abroad would be a complete disaster. How many home fans would travel to Britain for games against the likes of Cyprus and San Marino? We spend enough on away trips as it is.Exactly. And the Irish community in Britain is no longer the size it was in 1991 when a ridiculous ammount of tickets were applied for the Irish end at Wembley. Personally, it benefits me hugely, but there is no way I'd vote for it for competitive internationals. Friendlies another matter, given the GAA refusal to allow them to be played there.

[kingdom hoop]

Friendlies another matter, given the GAA refusal to allow them to be played there.

i think it was a matter of the fai not raising the issue for the gaa to discuss. they havent said no yet, just havent been asked. any chance of the football equivalent of saturdays match coming up??

[Casei11]

well defo b able to play there as the gaa r making to much from renting out the place.i work in the hospitality section in croker for all match days and the gaa insist it is a sit down meal for all irfu+fai games meaning an awful lot more revenue being created,this is not the case for any gaa match and i am reliably informed that congress will have not prob backing the opening for the duration of the proposed lansdowne works as they are earning too much money which the clubs are benefiting greatly from.

[cavan_fan]

Exactly. And the Irish community in Britain is no longer the size it was in 1991 when a ridiculous ammount of tickets were applied for the Irish end at Wembley. Personally, it benefits me hugely, but there is no way I'd vote for it for competitive internationals. Friendlies another matter, given the GAA refusal to allow them to be played there.

Agree with this. Despite a vested interest in having games in London it would be just embarassing. Would rather we played at the RDS! (By the way I think you'd sell out a 30,000 for a competitive match even against San Marino in London but thats irrelevant.)

[Lionel Ritchie]

Playing our home games abroad would be a complete disaster. How many home fans would travel to Britain for games against the likes of Cyprus and San Marino? We spend enough on away trips as it is.

I just think that, here on this island, we talk a lot of platitudinal sh1te about our diaspora and this was a missed opportunity to do something REAL and substantial for them beyond a copper statue of scrawny famine victims heading for a coffin ship. There's no small number I'm sure who have to get the ferry or a flight for all our games -home or away -and we had a chance to acknowledge that which we've passed up. We could've played a couple in London and maybe one each in Glasgow, Liverpool and Manchester.

Now the inconvenience to regular match go-ers here at home is not inconsiderable BUT I don't think that was the deciding factor anyway. I think closer to the core of the matter are local TDs who'd be sweating hard if the matches were taken out of Dublin and the clamour from publicans and various hoteliers who's takings would be down.

You don't reckon they'll travel for a San Marino or equivalent? Fine. Play San Marino in Tolka fcukin park where a small tight crowd (10,000? for a EC/WC qualifier?) might push the team on more rather than the grimness of Lansdowne when the crowd sense the team isn't firing on all cylinders.

But of course if we play a small team in a small stadium -takings will be down for the FAI and they're never going to swallow that either.