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Rugby Union

Croke Park fixture causes controversy

24/02/2007

Extra police were deployed in Dublin to cope with potential disturbances surrounding England's Six Nations match with Ireland today.

The game was played in an atmosphere heavy with the weight of history. It was the scene of the 1920 Bloody Sunday massacre when British troops, prior to Irish independence, killed 13 people including the legendary Gaelic football player Michael Hogan.

Usually the England-Ireland fixture is played at Lansdowne Road but this stadium, currently under refurbishment, is not available for Ireland's home games.

As a result this year's Six Nations was the first in which the Croke Park stadium, headquarters of the Gaelic football and hurling sports, has been used to play a "foreign code".

Particular controversy had surrounded the playing of the UK national anthem, God Save The Queen, before the match begins.

But during the contentious anthem no boos were audible among the crowd, which had respectfully greeted the visiting team's appearance with a round of applause.

"To have the arrogant, war-mongering words of God Save the Queen ringing out over Croke Park is surely pushing the boundaries of tolerance and common sense beyond what is expected in any republic on earth," former Gaelic football player JJ Barrett said before the match.

But Northern Ireland secretary Peter Hain, who attended the game, said: "Above all this is a sporting occasion between two great friends and rivals."

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