WITH CORPORATE boxes empty in Croke Park at both of this year’s Six Nations rugby matches, the GAA remain upbeat about their ability to secure renewals on the executive facilities for their own matches.

Part of the reason for this optimism is the roll-out timetable of renewals over the next five years sees the boxes becoming available in descending order of popularity, with the most sought-after Hogan side due next year, the Cusack in 2012 and the Davin (Canal End) in 2014.

“From our point of view there’s no undue concern,” according to stadium director Peter McKenna. “The Hogan suites are due for renewal in 2010 and we have the advantage that there’s a cachet about the Hogan side of the ground.

“But we are expecting that people will be a lot more discerning about what they’d spend money on.

“We are aware of the need to engage with the customers about providing value for money. For instance, suite holders have been adjusting catering levels before and after matches.”

The recession is taking its toll on demand for the facilities, and McKenna says this has been appreciable since the end of last year.

“You could see some signs at the end of last year when the All-Ireland finals were over. There was a significant step-back in the use of boxes for the soccer and rugby internationals, whether because they are seen as too expensive in the current circumstances or that they are “optically” wrong.

“Two years ago, for the first England rugby match, the boxes were completely over-subscribed and there was an overflow tent in the Canal End car park.

“This year demand for the suites was down significantly – six were not taken – and there was no tent.”

As well as the cost involved both in acquiring a box and providing catering, there is the question of perception and whether companies feel comfortable about maintaining comparatively extravagant facilities.

It was noticeable, for instance, that Anglo Irish Bank’s suite wasn’t in use last Saturday evening.

“There was probably more than optics involved in that,” says McKenna, “as the bank is now in State ownership.

But for companies who have paid for a corporate suite and made the investment there’s no reason not to make use of the facility. Business is still being conducted even in these circumstances.”

At the beginning of the year, the Croke Park stadium projections provided for a decline of €4 million in profitability.

There is confidence that this figure can be improved upon, as it takes no account of the potential European Cup semi-final between Munster, should they defeat Neath-Swansea Ospreys, and the winners of the Harlequins-Leinster quarter-final, which would be likely to take in the best part of €1 million.

Neither does it factor in the three U2 concerts in the pipeline for next July.

McKenna declined to comment on these dates, which have yet to be confirmed, but three years ago a similar series of concerts raised around €1 million for the stadium.

GAA 125 Schools Day

THE GAA have announced details of the "GAA 125 Schools Day", which will celebrate in primary schools the 125th anniversary of the association.


It will take place on April 24th and includes a photograph competition, supported by The Irish Times and the Sisk Group, with a prize on offer for the best picture of the day's celebrations from participating schools.

Among the suggestions for ways in which schools may take part are: pupils could wear their GAA colours (club, school or county) to school; a past or present GAA personality could be invited in to talk to pupils; teachers could use the GAA Céim ar Aghaidh/Step Ahead resource to deliver a GAA-themed lesson in any subject; pupils could complete GAA projects and display them around the school; the Fun Do coaching resource could be used to coach a Gaelic games training session; organise a Gaelic games competition (hurling, football, camogie, handball or rounders).

Entries for the photograph competition can be emailed to photocomp@irishtimes.com