WHOLE NEW BALL GAAME

GAA ready to host other sports once again

- PAT NOLAN

THE prospect of Ulster Rugby playing at a GAA ground would have been unthinkable just a few short years ago.

It was only in 2005 that the green light was given for the gates of Croke Park to be opened for rugby and soccer internationals while Lansdowne Road was being redeveloped.

But following the backlash that the GAA suffered following the controversy around the late Liam Miller's testimonial game, which eventually went ahead at Pairc Ui Chaoimh in 2018, attitudes around opening up county grounds to other codes finally softened.

At the GAA's 2019 Congress, 91% of delegates voted in favour of allowing games other than Gaelic football and hurling to be played at county grounds, once approved by Central Council.

And with work on the pitch making Kingspan Stadium unavailable for UIster's pre-season programme of games, the prospect of playing at one of the province's main GAA grounds has been mooted, with the Ulster Council having been reportedly approached by their rugby counterparts.

Celtic Park in Derry, Armagh's Athletic Grounds and O'Neill's Healy Park have been mentioned and it is believed that the approach from Ulster Rugby has been favourably received.