The GAA has agreed to let Croke Park open its gates for the Leinster rugby team this year.
With the Aviva Stadium to be closed for works ahead of the Europa League final in May, Croke Park has been pencilled in to host a potential home Champions Cup semi-final for Leinster on the weekend of May 4/5.
GAA HQ could also host the URC Cup final if Leinster reach the decider, as well as a number of games next season.
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The URC quarter-final and semi-final could also be played in Croke Park if Leinster are involved, while Central Council similarly agreed to allow UPMC Nowlan Park in Kilkenny to act as a potential venue for Leo Cullen's side.
Croke Park could also host a fans’ zone on May 22 if Liverpool advance to the UEFA Europa Cup final, which will be played at the Aviva Stadium.
Finally, it was agreed for SuperValu Pairc Ui Chaoimh to host a rugby match later this year.
The decision might also open the door for the Republic of Ireland women's team's to play at either Croke Park or Pairc Ui Chaoimh this summer.
The FAI are yet to confirm a venue for Eileen Gleeson's sides' Euro 2025 qualifier against France on Tuesday 16 July.
And with the Aviva Stadium unavailable for the clash, and Tallaght Stadium potentially hosting a Shamrock Rovers Champions League first-round qualifier the same night, the Girls in Green might end up playing at one of the GAA's iconic stadiums.
Central Council's vote on the proposals was perfectly split. 50% voted to bring the matter to the delegates’ respective county boards, while the other half voted to accept the policy change.
It came down to new GAA Jarlath Burns, who used his casting vote to support the proposals.
In 2009, Croke Park hosted a Heineken Cup semi-final between Leinster and Munster,, with the 82,208 attendance setting a world record for a club rugby union game.
Meanwhile, Central Council also decided that Antrim’s Terry Reilly will lead the new hurling development committee, which will include his fellow countyman Neil McManus, Colm Nolan of the previous hurling workgroup, Laois manager Willie Maher, former Wexford boss Darragh Egan, and Cork’s Seán O’Gorman.
Liam Keane is to head up the playing rules committee which will also include former Dubliner manager Jim Gavin as football review head.
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