It's been 14 years since a rugby match was last held at Croke Park. While Ireland did enjoy some special days and victories at the GAA HQ, it was never going to be a permanent home for the game.
The packed Croke Park stands did see Ireland claim memorable wins over the likes of England, France and the Springboks, as well as an entertaining inter provincial clash between Leinster and Munster as the Aviva Stadium was being built.
Over the coming months, we could see both rugby and football matches return to Jones' Road. With the Europa League final taking place on the 22nd of May at the Aviva Stadium and work being done to get the ground ready for the occasion, the GAA has opened the doors to other matches being played in the stadium.
Should Leinster make it to the final-four of the Champions Cup, Leo Cullen's side are in line to play the semifinal clash at Croke Park on the weekend of the 4th and 5th of May.
READ HERE: The Five Most Satisfying Irish Wins Over England This Century
One ex-Ireland international has opened up about the challenges posed to rugby players at GAA HQ.
Luke Fitzgerald recalls his Croke Park experience
While there's no doubt that the players enjoyed the overall occasion and history of playing at Croke Park, former Ireland international Luke Fitzgerald did share the difference in playing there compared to actual rugby venues.
2 May 2009; Luke Fitzgerald, Leinster, goes over for his side's second try. Heineken Cup Semi-Final, Munster v Leinster, Croke Park, Dublin. Picture credit: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE
Speaking on the Irish Independent's Left Wing Rugby Podcast, Fitzgerald spoke about some small details which made it harder for players to adjust to.
It's a bigger pitch than a rugby pitch. So I think it atmosphere, it doesn't lend itself to an unbelievable atmosphere. Obviously there was a few occasions where it was unbelievable. The English feet touching the turf, that obviously sticks out as an unbelievable atmosphere. But other than that I think the crowd is just a little bit far away from the pitch.
It was difficult to get your bearings at times. I remember talking to the kickers about it. It kind of ended up being an advantage for Ireland, in that our kickers got used to kicking into space behind the goalpost if you get me. I also thought it was a weird surface at the time. I think they have improved it but it was very hard, it was really slippy, probably more negative than positive.
I think just for rugby, the pitch size is the big thing for me that stands out. I do want to round out the point that I feel very grateful to have had the opportunity to play there and certainly had a few great days out. We had some great days out there during '09 of course. Yeah good memories from there and actually did very well there for the most part.
Luke Fitzgerald doesn't rank Croke Park among the best stadiums he played rugby in @bankofireland pic.twitter.com/TFLgBZ0L0h
— Irish Independent Sport (@IndoSport) March 28, 2024
It's a great insight from Luke Fitzgerald, as many supporters can often just be drawn to the memory and emotion of watching Ireland play at the most historic stadium in the country, rather than the differences the players faced.
Leinster will have to get used to alternative venues come the start of next season to with the RDS undergoing renovation work to the stand on Anglesea Road.
With Croke Park and the Aviva Stadium both being too big for some of the early URC matches of the campaign, The Irish Times reports that Nowlan Park in Kilkenny could be used as an alternative.
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