The chances of Croke Park hosting a soccer match in the 2008 European Championships nosedived today when the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) announced it would only allow Lansdowne Road to be redeveloped if the Government's Stadium Ireland plan went ahead.
This renders unworkable the Progressive Democrats' proposal of using Lansdowne Road and Croke Park as the two Irish venues for the finals.
Until now, the debate between political parties has assumed Lansdowne Road was the one certain venue, but the IRFU has now made it clear any bid would have to comprise Stadium Ireland.
The IRFU said: "Lansdowne Road . . . could only be developed in the context of the Government following through on its statement of 31st January last that it remains convinced that a stadium project at Abbotstown is both desirable and feasible".
Explaining the reason for this stance, IRFU spokesperson Mr John Redmond said: "We'll be hosting 49,000 people at Lansdowne for the game against Scotland this Saturday; if we turned Lansdowne into a 30,000 all-seater, where would the Irish rugby team play its home matches?"
Though it can hold 49,000 for a rugby match, Lansdowne Road only has a capacity of 33,000 for competitive international soccer matches because FIFA regulations mean temporary seating has to be installed over the terraces.
However, temporary seating will be banned from 2006, meaning Lansdowne Road must become a permanent all-seater or the Irish team face the prospect of playing the 2006 World Cup qualifiers in front of empty terraces.
It is understood the IRFU would not tolerate any compromise that sees Croke Park become a national stadium, since it does not believe any pitch could cope with being home to hurling, gaelic football, soccer, and rugby.