Published: Mon, 28 April 2025
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It’s hard to believe it has nearly been 20 years since the GAA took the historic decision to amend Rule 42, allowing Croke Park to host international rugby and soccer matches. At the time, it was one of the most divisive debates ever to hit the Association. Looking back now, it’s clear that while the decision wasn’t without controversy, it was the right call—not just for the GAA, but for Ireland as a whole.
Fast forward to today, and the GAA continues to show that same spirit of openness and leadership. The decision to allow rugby and soccer to be played in Croke Park and SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh and the recent Connacht Rugby game in McHale Park reflects the same values that drove the Rule 42 amendment two decades ago. The GAA now proudly provides a home for major sporting events, reflecting a commitment to the wider sporting community and a recognition of the role the GAA can play in supporting Irish sport as a whole.
Instead of weakening the GAA, hosting rugby and soccer matches at Croke Park has only reinforced its position as a central pillar of Irish sport. The stadium remains the fortress of Gaelic games, but it is also a symbol of the GAA’s strength, generosity, and leadership. Whether it’s providing a venue for a crucial Republic of Ireland Women’s qualifier, staging European club soccer friendlies, or allowing Leinster Rugby to continue their season uninterrupted, the GAA’s decision once again demonstrates that opening its doors doesn’t mean losing its soul—it means embracing its role as a unifying force in Irish sport.
A Historic Vote
I remember that period well. The arguments were fierce, and emotions ran high. On one side, you had those who felt that opening up Croke Park to “foreign games” was a betrayal of the GAA’s ethos and traditions. On the other, there were those of us who believed that sport, at its heart, is about community, about coming together, and that this was an opportunity to show leadership.
When the secret ballot was counted at Congress in 2005, the result was clear: 227 votes in favour, 97 against. Rule 42 was amended, and the doors of Croke Park were opened to rugby and soccer. It was a defining moment—not just for the GAA but for Irish sport.
The Ireland v England Match: A Defining Moment
Of course, the most talked-about match after the rule change was the 2007 Six Nations clash between Ireland and England. The build-up was intense. The idea of “God Save the Queen” being played in Croke Park—where 14 people were murdered by British forces on Bloody Sunday in 1920—was deeply sensitive. Some worried about how it would be received, whether it was too much to ask of GAA supporters.
However, what happened that day showed the best of Ireland. The anthem was observed respectfully, and when Ireland took to the field, the team played like warriors, hammering England 43-13. The match was more than just a game; it was a moment of national maturity. It showed that while we will never forget our history, we are also a forward-looking, confident nation.
I will never forget the emotion, the excitement, and the wall of noise as Shane Horgan’s inch-perfect reaching try in front of the iconic Hill 16 marked not only the most satisfying victory over England but also a record-winning margin that still stands to this day. I particularly enjoyed Horgan showing the fine skills of a man raised on Gaelic football, rising high to clutch the ball from the sky on route to the try line. However, the greatest memory most people have of the game were the tears pouring down the cheeks of the tough, non-emotional (normally) John ‘Bull’ Hayes and Jerry Flannery during the playing of the national anthem.
The GAA’s Strength, Not Weakness
One of the biggest fears at the time was that opening up Croke Park would somehow weaken the GAA—that by letting in other sports, we’d be undermining our own. Twenty years on, we can put this debate to bed, as the GAA has only grown stronger in the years since.
Croke Park remains the beating heart of Gaelic games. The All-Ireland finals are as magical as ever, the stadium is full every summer, and the GAA’s presence in communities across the country is as strong as it’s ever been. The idea that hosting a few rugby or soccer matches would somehow diminish this always underestimated the passion and loyalty of GAA people. Instead, I would like to see more big Rugby games in Croke Park, which is a win for the GAA and the IRFU and for sport fans.
And let’s not forget the financial side of things. At a time when the GAA had spent millions redeveloping Croke Park, allowing other sports in helped ensure the stadium remained sustainable. The revenue generated was reinvested into grassroots GAA projects, coaching, and infrastructure—benefiting every club and county in the country.
Where We Are Today
Looking back, the Rule 42 decision was about more than just sport. It was about who we are as a people. It was about generosity, about stepping up when a neighbour was in need, about embracing modern Ireland while staying true to our roots.
Would the same decision be made today? I have no doubt it would. Because if the last 20 years have shown us anything, it’s that the GAA is at its strongest when it is open, inclusive, and willing to lead. And 20 years on, I couldn’t be prouder of the role we played in making it happen.
