The GAA will rake in an estimated €5.5 million from seven sell-out concerts and an American football college game at Croke Park this summer.

The Association stands to make around €750,000 from each event. However, the overall figure is still a long way behind the record €18.75 million the GAA pocketed in rental income in 2009 when it hosted three U2 concerts as well as five soccer and four rugby internationals.

Yesterday's announcement that country icon Garth Brooks is to play a fourth concert in July has been described as a 'Christmas present' by Croke Park Stadium Director Peter McKenna. Boyband One Direction, which features Mullingar's Niall Horan, will also play three concerts at the 82,300-capacity stadium.

"We didn't know this would be in the pipeline this year," McKenna said.

"This is a Christmas present. I think what was heartening about 2013 was that we didn't have any concert but we still hit our numbers. I think that was very important.

"But we are just stunned about the interest. If you'd said one or two nights [of Brooks], I'd have thought it would be great. But it going to four is huge.

"We shouldn't underplay the impact it's going to have on the local community. We're very conscious that four concerts back to back is going to be very disruptive in the local area.

"So we talked to the artist himself and the promoters. We're meeting with the local community next week and we want a meaningful legacy statement to be made from these concerts. So that when the artist goes home and everyone else packs up and leaves, something meaningful is left in the area." Tweet

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