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IRFU rules out further Croke deal

Croke Park
Croke Park has been hosted rugby and soccer internationals since 2007

Irish RFU chief executive Philip Browne has ruled out any prospect of rugby and soccer internationals being played at Croke Park after 2010.

GAA President Nickey Brennan had hinted that non-GAA sports could be played at Croke Park after the opening of the redeveloped Lansdowne Road next year.

"Are we going to be moving matches to Croke Park? The answer is no," Browne told the Irish Times.

The current Croke Park deal is scheduled to conclude next year.

That arrangement allows the IRFU and the Football Association of Ireland to play internationals at Croke Park until the completion of the Lansdowne Road redevelopment.

The Lansdowne Road project is expected to be completed by April of next year.

"The reality is Lansdowne Road has been built on the premise that we will play our full fixture list there," added Browne.

Earlier this week, GAA president Brennan said that the arrangement with the IRFU and the FAI had "gone extremely well".

"That is from a logistical, as well as sporting point of view."

Brennan made the comments following the revelation that Clare GAA officials had called for Croke Park to be made open to other sports beyond 2010.

Clare have put forward a motion to that effect which is in line to be voted on at the GAA's annual Congress in April.

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see also
Croke may still host other sports
07 Jan 09 |  Gaelic Games
Brennan says Croke should close
07 Jan 08 |  Gaelic Games


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