IRFU and FAI welcome 'historic' GAA decision
The IRFU and the FAI have welcomed the decision by the GAA Annual Congress to allow the possibility of international games to be played at Croke Park during the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road.
However, both organisations also said that when the time came to nominate venues for these home matches that they would still evaluate all options open to them, including going abroad.
The brief IRFU statement clearly laid out its position thus: "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."
The FAI reaction echoed the sentiments of its rugby counterpart: "The Football Association of Ireland has consistently held and expressed the view that the issue of Croke Park's availability is solely a matter for the GAA.
"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."
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