Seán Kelly MEP backs “Ireland’s Call” to host 2023 Rugby World Cup to beat All Blacks at Home

2023 Ireland Rugby World Cup Bid offers historic opportunity for All-Island sports partners

Sean Kelly MEP and former President of the GAA, says that an ‘All Ireland’ bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup, should be favoured by the International Rugby Board, because of Irish fans wonderful passion for sport as manifested by the electric atmosphere at the Ireland Vs ‘All Blacks’ in the Aviva yesterday. The festival sporting atmosphere, shared in the haunting singing of the Munster Rugby anthem, ‘Fields of Athenry’ makes Ireland the Number.1 destination for travelling fans. Ireland has better infrastructure and more modern (GAA and IRFU) Stadia than New Zealand and proven success at hosting major international sporting events, such as the Special Olympics Games. Irish hospitality to our visitors is renowned and the global reach of the Irish diaspora would ensure that such a historic ‘All Island’ event, is a great success.

Sean Kelly MEP and member of the European Parliament Culture, Education, Youth and Sport committee, said: “A joint IRFU/GAA stadium bid, including the addition of Croke Park and other major GAA stadia around the country, such as Semple stadium, Thurles and Fitzgerald Park in Killarney, combined with the traditional rugby home grounds of Thomand Park, the Aviva, Musgrave Park and Ravenhill would enable Ireland to easily accommodate the 400, 000 extra visitors that the 2023 Rugby World Cup would bring to the country. Furthermore, there will be a new state of the art stadium built in Cork by 2023, the new Pairc Chaoimh will comfortably cater for the demand for World Cup tickets. Hosting the 2023 rugby World Cup would enable the next generation of our ‘All Island’ rugby players to beat the ‘All Blacks’ on home ground, and ensure a tournament sell out.”

“Ireland, North and South,  is now ideally placed to support such a major global sporting event, including; Transport Infrastructure, modern hotels, global flight connectivity, high standard training facilities, and the essential community spirit of a healthy, sports mad population, to welcome the  rugby visitors. The economic and tourism benefits of almost 400,000 international travelling fans, staying in Ireland over 23 days on average, would provide a multi-million boost for local businesses across the country. The global media exposure would also showcase Ireland as a Go-To  sporting destination, while boosting youth participation in sports within Ireland. We also have world famous rugby ambassadors in Paul O’Connell, Brian O’Driscoll and Ronan O’Gara, to help successfully promote our All Ireland 2023 Rugby World Cup bid.”