GAA to allow use of facilities in Rugby World Cup bid
By Cóilin Duffy
GAA facilities will be part of any proposed bid by the IRFU for the Rugby World Cup, after delegates to today's Annual GAA Congress in Derry gave their overwhelming support for the use of their facilities.
A total of 92.71% of delegates voted in favour of using GAA stadia for games in the Rugby World Cup 2023 or 2027.
Previously delegates to the 2005 GAA Congress at Croke Park had allowed for temporary use of that venue only for IRFU and FAI Internationals, while Lansdowne Road was being redeveloped into the new Aviva Stadium.
Today's decision means that along with Croke Park, permission has been given for all other GAA stadia to be included as part of the bid, including Semple Stadium, the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick, Pearse Stadium and Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney.
Limerick delegate Michael O'Riordain expressed the support of his county for the motion, but added there was a local issue affecting school sports in the city.
"We would like it to be taken into consideration that in certain schools in Limerick they are preventing their students from playing Gaelic Games in favour of rugby and soccer. The GAA should discuss (that) with the relative bodies."
