It has been confirmed that Dublin's opening National Football League game against All-Ireland champions Armagh will be played in Croke Park on Sunday, February 2nd. Dublin chairman John Bailey made the announcement during yesterday's Blue Stars games in Tallaght.
It will be Dublin's first league game in GAA headquarters in several years as lower attendances in recent seasons has allowed Parnell Park to comfortably cater for home games. The resurgence in Dublin support this past season, coupled with the traditionally-strong crowds from Armagh, should attract a crowd in excess of 45,000.
Bailey also announced that the Dublin hurling team would be involved in the curtain-raiser. If they beat Meath in the Walsh Cup on January 26th, they will play Wexford in the semi-final, also at Croke Park on February 2nd. If Meath beat Dublin, an alternative opposition will be found for the curtain-raiser.
Special family admission charges of €20 were also announced, which allows entry to two adults and two children. General admission will be €10 into Hill 16, and €12 into the stand. Special arrangements have also been made to allow free admission for groups of children through schools and Cumman na mBunscol.
Dublin manager Tommy Lyons expects it to be one of the great GAA promotions of the year. "We talk a lot about the money involved in Croke Park and the cost of opening it," he said, "but to me the best money Croke Park will spend this year is opening the stadium for a game like this. The stadium is our best marketing tool."
