Rugby and soccer chiefs express delight at new HQ

THE LANSDOWNE Road Aviva stadium is the “engine” that will drive rugby for the next 40 years, IRFU chief executive Philip Browne, said at its official opening yesterday.

John Delaney of joint tenant the FAI described the opening of as a “proud day” which “Irish football has wanted for the last 90 years”.

When it is filled for the first time on July 31st for the IRFU’s combined provinces rugby fixture, it will feel out of this world – not just for the players. “To deliver this on time, within three years and within budget is a credit to everyone involved,” said stadium director Martin Murphy.

It has been a team effort in more ways than one.

The IRFU and the FAI are joint tenants, while the Government contributed €191 million of the €410 million cost. Aviva secured for €40 million the naming rights for the first 10 years.

“I’ve always said the proudest moment of my life was leading the Irish team out on to the old Lansdowne Road,” said former Irish rugby captain Keith Wood.

“In saying that, it was always a bit treacherous coming up the old steps and you felt a bit like Bambi on stilts. Thinking back now, the old Lansdowne, especially when empty, was a sort of monument to greyness.

“Walking out here today, into the light of it, and to see the shape of it, there’s no doubt it is a thing of beauty. I think when it is full it will be majestic and iconic.”

The first rugby international will take place on November 6th, when Ireland host reigning world champions South Africa. The first soccer match takes place on August 4th when Manchester United take on an Airtricity League team, and a week later the Republic play Argentina in an international friendly.

“I’d give anything to tog out one more time to play in this stadium,” said former Irish international Ray Houghton. “It’s a first-class stadium, a place we can be more than proud to bring any opposition.”

Former team mate and goalkeeper Packie Bonner was equally impressed. “I think young kids who play football or rugby will be inspired in a big way to play in this stadium some day. I think it’s an inspirational place and also an emotional place. I know I had a lump in my throat walking out here today.”

Some seats may not have an entirely unobstructed view of the pitch, so there may be some line-of-sight problems. These will be surveyed later this month. There is an option to either remove some of the steel barriers and replace them with toughened glass, or to remove some seats altogether.

The two chief executives of both associations were unequivocal in their approval of the stadium.

“The seats are built up, not out,” Mr Delaney said, “and I think that gives it a sort of coliseum feel. In every seat you’ll feel you could almost reach out and touch the players.”

Mr Browne of the IRFU said the completed stadium ended a journey that began back as 1994.

“We’re absolutely satisfied with the decisions we’ve made and feel the capacity of 50,000 is bang-in for us in rugby. We did struggle sometimes to fill Croke Park, and I can say now without any hesitation that this is the engine that will drive the sport for the next 40 years.”