Way cleared for Pearse Stadium to host Rugby World Cup ties

THE GAA’s weekend move to give the go-ahead for their grounds to be used as part of an Irish bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup could result in a multi-million euro boost for Galway City, with Pearse Stadium one of the listed venues for group matches.

GAA Congress delegates voted overwhelmingly in Derry to allow the IRFU to include their stadiums as part of their World Cup bid, in support of a motion that had been originally put forward by the local Salthill-Knocknacarra GAA club.

Yesterday, the Chairman of the Salthill-Knocknacarra club, David Burke, said that the hosting of rugby World Cup games in Pearse Stadium, could result in a €20 million boost for the local economy.

“This is the right move for both the GAA in Galway and nationally as well. It is an opportunity to show again that the GAA is a very progressive organisation,” said David Burke.

He added the the club were thrilled that the motion they had drafted had received such a positive response from the GAA Congress delegates.

“Having Rugby World Cup games in Galway could generate as much as €20 million for the local economy and possibly up to €500 million at national level.

“This is a very important first step in allowing the IRFU to draft a comprehensive bid to host the 2023 World Cup or possibly the 2027 event,” said David Burke.

Tom Sears, Chief Executive of the Connacht Branch IRFU, told the Sentinel, said that last weekend’s decision highlighted the spirit of co-operation that existed between sporting organisations in Ireland.

“It would be a fantastic boost not alone for rugby, but for sport in general in the province, if Pearse Stadium and Castlebar were host grounds for World Cup matches,” he said.

Read more in today’s Connacht Sentinel