OPINION: Ireland must make Croke farewell a celebration
IT would have been fitting that the last chapter of Ireland's season should have read winning back-to-back Six Nations Championships in their last match at Croke Park under their temporary residence at Gaelic's headquarters.
While there is an outside chance that may still happen – although it is hard to see England seeing off the undefeated French even at Twickenham tomorrow – there could still be a fitting last hurrah for the men in green.
The last act should be Irish skipper, Brian O'Driscoll and head coach, Declan Kidney, leaving the magnificent stadium carrying the Triple Crown silver salver with a final Six Nations victory over Scotland tomorrow evening.
For the statisticians, an Ireland win over Scotland would make it 10 wins from 14 games played at Croke Park, with one draw (against Australia).
Ireland coach, Declan Kidney, said last week after the win over Wales, that it would be huge if the team could end their short residency at Croke Park by claiming the Triple Crown.
However, there have already been some 'huge' achievements in the past three years at the home of Gaelic sports while the Irish rugby home of Lansdowne Road was redeveloped – due to officially open this August.
Until five years ago the GAA refused to let 'foreign' or 'garrison' games like football or rugby – products of the British State which once ruled all of Ireland, be played in their Croke Park home.
When Rule 42 was overturned, it opened the doors of Croke Park and both football and rugby have been enjoyed by many more people than would have previously, given the 82,000 capacity of the Dublin stadium compared to Lansdowne's 49,000.
There is no doubt, the fact rugby was looking for a new base, was probably part of the reason why the GAA governors overturned the rule – and not only rugby, but the Republic of Ireland's football team also moved across the city, as they had also used Lansdowne.
There is no doubt the financial side of it came into play – the GAA announced recently a 19.4 million (21.5m Euros) profit for 2009.
Not a bad return, and something which rugby has played its part in Ireland towards.
The only downside to the return 'home' for Ireland is that over 30,000 people fewer will get to see a Six Nations or a full international in the future, given the new Lansdowne stadium is only 50,000 capacity.
For now, though, Kidney, O'Driscoll and Co are intending to make it a big final fling against the Scots and retain the Triple Crown.
Some have said recently, the Triple Crown – awarded to one of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales if they beat everyone else in one Six Nations season – is not the prize it was. However, perhaps it is an English accent behind the statement, given they have not won it since 2003.
When asked last week about the last game in the Championship and the little bit of nostalgia attached to it, Kidney remarked: "It's a romantic ending that couldn't be orchestrated – our last match at Croke Park with a Triple Crown to be won.
"A genuine sports supporter would never become blas about winning a Triple Crown.
"Just look what happened to the (Irish) economy," said "We took it for granted, then it was gone.
"The situation of winning a Triple Crown may also be gone in the future. It means a huge amount to the players to have been able to play at Croke Park.
"Most of our lads coming up through the age groups would have tried most of the codes – hurling, football, soccer.
"It's an exceptional stadium, as good as anything around the world.
"For an amateur organisation to build a stadium like that was a magnificent achievement. To have the use of their facilities over the last four years has been a genuine privilege."
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Weather for Belfast
Tuesday 29 May 2012
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