A ban on drinking alcohol in seats during sports matches in Croke Park should “not be a problem for genuine fans,” a leading journalist has said.

It follows a decision by organisers of Leinster’s Champion’s Cup semi-final in the stadium this weekend to “respect the GAA’s rules” on alcohol during the match.

Alcohol is still sold in Croke Park but must be consumed at the stadium bar and not in seats.

Typically, Leinster fans can consume alcohol from their seats when playing at home in RDS or the Aviva Stadium.

On Lunchtime Live today, The Irish Times rugby correspondent Jerry Thornley said the GAA’s rules in Croke Park should “absolutely” be respected.

“They can still drink before and during the interval and afterward – just like GAA fans do,” he said.

“For the vast majority of the 80,000 people who bought tickets on public sale for this game, there will be genuine rugby fans engaged from the start and it won’t be an issue for them.

“It’s much more of an issue at Six Nations games in the Aviva Stadium.”

Croke Park, as seen from the Royal Canal. Image: Joe Dunckley / Alamy Stock Photo

Mr Thornley said one anecdote on the impact alcohol consumption has on other fans in the Aviva has stuck with him.

“I heard a story about a man who was brought to his first game in decades by his son,” he said.

“He’s in his 80s and counted how many times he had to sit down and stand up again to let people out to buy a drink – he had to stand up 88 times.

“He said afterwards, ‘Thanks for the ticket son, but I’m never coming back again’.

Organisation

Mr Thornley said bars are much better organised in Croke Park than the Aviva Stadium.

“At half time in Croke Park, it’s really well organised and pints are already 80% poured, ready to go and just need to be topped up – it’s an efficient operation there,” he said.

“I know someone who worked in both catering companies at the Aviva and Croke Park, who started to pour pints ten minutes before the interval at the Aviva.

“Their boss asked, ‘What are you doing, don’t do that here’.

“Queues are quicker in Croke Park.”

Dan Sheehan of Leinster dives over to score his side's fourth try during the Champions Cup quarter-final match against La Rochelle at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, 13-04-2024. Image: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Mr Thornley said Six Nations games have become too ‘corporate’ in recent years.

“Over 30,000 tickets go to clubs via branches; branches have sponsors and clients they need to reward,” he said.

“Clubs are the same and it’s because it's expensive to run a club in this country.

“There are 50 senior clubs and another 98 junior clubs, it costs between 250,000 and 350,000 to run them.”

Mr Thornley said these clubs “need to raise money from somewhere”.

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Main image: Croke Park in Co Dublin. Image: Stephen Power / Alamy Stock Photo