Top Cork club Nemo Rangers could be in hot water after the Irish rugby team trained at their state-of-the-art facilities yesterday.

Under GAA rules, clubs are barred from allowing rugby or soccer teams to use their facilities, even though GAA teams regularly use the facilities of rugby and soccer clubs. GAA clubs are liable to automatic suspension for allowing rugby or soccer teams to use their property.

Speaking to the Irish Independent, a Nemo Rangers club member clarified that the reigning Six Nations champions only trained indoors at the Trabeg Sports Centre which he described as "a separate commercial operator attached" to the city club.

"The rugby team wasn't anywhere near the GAA pitches or the side of the complex vested in the GAA," he said.

He added that such a visit was not unprecedented as the Munster rugby team and their academy have been using the Trabeg Sports Centre for training for several seasons.

The matter is likely to fuel much debate, especially as the issue of keeping Croke Park open to other sports is due to be discussed again at this year's GAA Congress in Newcastle, Co. Down. Tweet

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