Following the success of the recent friendly at Croke Park between Manchester United and Leeds United, Croke Park stadium director Peter McKenna says he would like to see a game between EPL clubs become a regular event to boost GAA revenue. Security concerns saw the capacity reduced from 82,000 to 75,000 for the Manchester-Leeds game, but a reduced capacity might not be a problem between clubs who don’t have intense rivalry issues.
The only previous times soccer had been played at Croke Park was between 2007 and 2009 when the famous Jones Road venue was used as the temporary home of the Republic of Ireland during the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road. McKenna, Croke Park’s Stadium and Commercial Director, is keen to find a new revenue stream for the GAA. He said: ‘‘I would love it if we could do it every summer. We are working with a partner, TEG Sport, and that’s what we will be charging them with, as part of their connection with us, to see how we do this in a more consistent, proper way. Something that is regular, and can be anticipated and planned for, is a far better style of event.’’ In 2005, the GAA amended Rule 42, temporarily opening up its grounds to hosting other sports on a temporary basis, before the policy was lifted permanently in 2010. Since then, Croke Park has hosted a number of major international and domestic rugby matches, NFL and College American football, and other events. McKenna added: ‘‘I think only a small number of English clubs that can actually make it happen, Manchester United would certainly be one of them. Liverpool and Arsenal also have well established fan bases in Ireland.’’ Some GAA fans would love to see the All-Ireland football and hurling semi-finals pushed back from July to August with the finals in September. But the Gaelic Players Association have been pushing for a split-season to cater for the club scene and this new format allows for high profile soccer friendlies and concerts at Croke Park in the month of August. Next Sunday, Bon Jovi plays Croker and on Sept. 5, it will be the big boxing occasion.
