Recent decisions by the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) permit matches for soccer and rugby to be organised at their venues. The permissions were granted at GAA’s committee meetings and they relate to both Croke Park and SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. This follows a 2019 congress motion that permitted other sports to utilise county grounds which was initially only authorised for use by Croke Park.
Assuming a Leinster victory follows in forthcoming European Champions Cup matches, Croke Park is set to host the semi-final occurring during the weekend of May 4th/5th. The Aviva Stadium, Leinster’s regular choice, won’t be available due to the upcoming Europa League Final on May 22nd. Additionally, the RDS, another of Leinster’s home grounds, has a booked concert in June, making it partially unviable. Further rugby matches which are part of the URC competition schedule are set to take place in Croke Park during June, given authorization by the GAA.
Croke park hasn’t been utilised for a rugby event since 2010 when Ireland last competed there and earned the GAA €36 million during Lansdowne Road’s rebuild. In 2009, Croke Park permitted Leinster to host a European Cup semi-final against Munster, resulting in a historically high attendance for any club rugby match.
The forthcoming season will see most regular Leinster fixtures relocated as the RDS will undergo remodelling of the Anglesea Stand beginning in late summer. It’s rumoured that Leinster is exploring other venues for around 11 matches, as Croke Park’s sheer size renders it impractical for some URC early-season games. As an alternative, UPMC Nowlan Park has been suggested.
The SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh is preparing to hold a friendly match between Munster and a visiting New Zealand XV later this year. This stadium in Cork has previously demonstrated its ability to host such events successfully. Its first full attendance was witnessed in November 2022 during a game between Munster and South Africa A.
In addition, a friendly match involving the New Zealand team, Crusaders, and Munster recently filled the venue to its maximum capacity.
The controversy surrounding the first fully-attended event at the revamped stadium, a football testimonial in honour of the late Liam Millar in 2018, resulted in a formal easing of regulations in the following year.