Croke Park can now accommodate 80,000 spectators

The GAA director-general Liam Mulvihill said in his annual report that if the Ulster council agreed then there was no reason to play the final in Dublin.

''In the event of Tyrone and Armagh meeting in the final, consideration should be given to moving the game to Croke Park,'' said Mulvihill.

However, there were differing responses from Joe Kernan and Mickey Harte.

The Armagh boss would be keen to keep any possible Ulster final in the province, while Harte said that playing in Dublin would not be a bad idea.

''Playing the Ulster final in Croke Park wouldn't be a problem,'' said the Tyrone manager.

''Getting to an Ulster final is the big problem. We have to do that first.''

However, Kernan wants any final to stay at Clones. ''I think if it is in Ulster, it should stay in Ulster,'' he said.

''That opens the door to games being played anywhere. Personally, I would prefer the Ulster final to be played in Clones.

We may consider the option of playing at Croke Park Ulster Council secretary Danny Murphy

''There is no sense in having grounds like Clones if you are not going to use them.''

Mulvihill's idea was one of many he has mooted over the past 25 years.

''Both Armagh and Tyrone have a huge support base and the whole country will want to see the game,'' said Mulvihill on the prospect of both counties reaching the 11 July final.

The Ulster final was played at Croke Park once before back in the Thirties.

Ulster Council secretary Danny Murphy agreed that this year's decider could be played at the Dublin stadium.

"We may consider the option of playing at Croke Park and it would not be the first time," said Murphy.

"Last year, Armagh and Tyrone showed the huge potential audience for major matches between Ulster teams.