“The development was practical and necessary to ensure that Irish
sport and Irish sports followers did not have to travel abroad and that
the Irish economy will still benefit from having access to home games
while Lansdowne Road Stadium is being developed.”
GAA President Sean Kelly following the announcement that the GAA
had finalised an agreement with the FAI and IRFU for soccer and rugby
to be held in Croke Park during 2007
Of course, we’re prepared to walk away. Absolutely. We have some
very serious discussions to take place in the next couple of days. I wasn’t
in Australia (for the 2005 tests) but I saw it on television and it was
very serious - it bordered on thugery. It simply couldn’t continue
in this vein.”
President-elect of the GAA, Nicky Brennan, ahead of talks with the
Australian Football League, explains that the International Rules Series
could come to an end if there is not an improvement in Aussie discipline
"The biggest problem I see from this development is when the GAA
players see for themselves all the money that will come from renting out
Croke Park they will get more militant in terms of getting paid for their
services.”
Former GAA President Jack Boothman feels that the opening of Croke
Park could lead to players looking for some sort of financial package
from the association
"It is hard to step off the inter-county stage because you feel
so honoured to be part of it in Kilkenny. I have enjoyed great times and
have played with and against some terrific players. However I have been
playing through pain for a long time now and it wasn’t easy to keep
going."
John Hoyne explains that he feels he must take a break from intercounty
hurling with Kilkenny in order to give himself a chance of overcoming
long-term injury
“I thought this decision to open Croke Park would come in my lifetime
but not this quick - it’s a bit like this job. One day I always hoped
I would get this job. The same applied to soccer being played in Croker."
New Irish soccer boss Steve Staunton is delighted that his side
can ply their trade in GAA headquarters
“This is a gradual process and we are bringing lads along with us,
lads like John Carroll and Eoin Brislane who were two stone overweight
when I came along."
Tipperary manager Babs Keating, following his side’s loss in
the Waterford Crystal SHL, feels that the progress he is making with the
squad of players at his disposal is more important that results right
now