Originally Posted by Sunday Times
FAI sweat it out as Wanderers row rumbles on
The escalation of the row between the IRFU and Wanderers over the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road is casting a large shadow over the FAI Cup final on December 3. Wanderers, joint tenants at the ground along with Lansdowne, are insisting on playing their AIL Division Three match against Bruff on the main pitch the day before the final, when normally they would have been happy to use the back pitch, as part of their policy of non-cooperation with Irish rugby’s governing body.
With four internationals also due to be held at the ground in November, the club’s stand casts serious doubts about the state of the pitch. Speculation has been growing that this might force the FAI into choosing a different venue, but yesterday a spokesman for the association confirmed that the Cup final would go ahead as scheduled at the ground. ‘The four clubs involved in the semi-finals were consulted about the situation and were happy to go ahead with Lansdowne,’ a spokesman said. ‘There is no question of moving the venue.’