Stadium ready by late 2008

Rugby/IRFU a.g.m: The IRFU last night confirmed Lansdowne Road will cease to exist in its present form from mid 2006. Demolition work will commence then and it is anticipated the project will be completed by late 2008.

At the IRFU's a.g.m. last night in Dublin chief executive Philip Browne admitted "quite a significant amount of progress" in the process including the support of both tenants at headquarters, Wanderers and Lansdowne rugby clubs.

He also pointed out there had been considerable dialogue between the union and residents, TDs, councillors and other interested parties. A project manager for the redevelopment will be announced in the next three weeks. It means Ireland will have to look for another home venue for the autumn internationals of 2006 and those home games in the 2007 and 2008 Six Nations Championships.

On a financial footing the union made an operating deficit of 6,351,795 for the year 2003/'04, their total expenditure for the same financial period was €41,095,232. The cost of running the senior national team for that period including the costs associated with players, the management team and the expenditure incurred from squad sessions, came to 3,960,824.

The all encompassing provincial team costs came to €15,542,701 with the total representative costs set at 25,641, 376.

Honorary treasurer John Lyons pointed out the deficit was "not something of a surprise" and he was reasonably confident the union could reduce that deficit next season. He also outlined there had been stringent cost cutting right across the board.

Barry Keogh's appointment as IRFU president was confirmed at the a.g.m.,He is chairman and senior partner of KMCS (Keogh - McConnell), Construction and Project Cost Management Company.

He played openside wing forward for Old Belvedere RFC between 1963 and 1976 and was club captain in the seasons 1971/'72 and 1972/'73, winning a Leinster Senior Cup medal in 1968.

A delegate to the Leinster Branch since 1988, he was elected president in the 1994/'95 season. A member of the IRFU Committee since 1995/'96, he has served on a variety of committees and is chairman of the marketing and commercial committee.

Ulster and Dungannon stalwart Andy Crawford has been elevated to the role of senior vice-president, Peter Boyle elected to the junior vice-president's role and also confirmed as a successor to Dr Syd Millar as one of Ireland's two representatives on the International Board. The other is Noel Murphy.

The following were elected to the union committee from the floor at the meeting: Der Healy, Pat Fitzgerald, Caleb Powell, Bob McConkey, John Callaghan and Neil Jackson.