“To go to a historic venue of that size, taking the game to another part of the province is a really good opportunity.”
Rugby will continue its venture into the GAA domain, with Mayo’s MacHale Park set to host the Connacht vs Munster derby in March.
Croke Park has hosted Leinster games versus Northampton and Munster this year. Munster have played South Africa XV and the Crusaders at Páirc Uà Chaoimh over the last couple of years, while Ulster had a pre-season fixture in Cavan’s Breffni Stadium last year.
There were murmurings of Leinster using Kilkenny’s Nowlan Park this season while the RDS is being redeveloped. Unfortunately this won’t be going ahead, but Connacht have now gotten in on the act.
The GAA Central council have approved their March 29th inter-pro fixture and it is being reported that Connacht are in advanced talks with Mayo GAA to confirm the clash.
Connacht’s Dexcom Stadium is currently being redeveloped and while it is still hosting games, a fixture outside of Galway would generate a lot of hype for the club.
Mayo will be hosting Sligo just eight days after the Munster clash, but with a possible 15,000 that could up to the rugby, it has big pay-day potential for Mayo.
Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins said: “I’m aware there’s been exploratory discussions going on, above my head, CEO, board level, conversations being had with Mayo GAA and the Munster game is one of the options.
“Our reaction as coaches and players is one of excitement. It’s a little way off coming together as a plan but the prospect of it is brilliant.
“To go to a historic venue of that size, taking the game to another part of the province is a really good opportunity.
“To be playing in front of whatever crowd we would get up there – as great as the atmosphere has been here at the Dexcom with the reduced [capacity] – to go and play somewhere larger, where we get an opportunity for more supporters from a different part of the province to come and watch us would be brilliant.
“We’ve seen the success of games taken to GAA venues by other provinces. If it does happen we’d be right behind the idea but there’s a bit of road to go yet.”
