Gerry Thornley On Rugby: "While the financial position is healthy at present it should be viewed in the light of the fact that major capital expenditure in the form of a stadium must be undertaken within the next couple of years in order that we may stay apace with the other rugby nations."
These words were written by the IRFU's honorary treasurer in the union's annual report. The year? 1996. Over a decade on, it's clear an overhaul of the charming if crumbling old edifice that is Lansdowne Road - no less than Thomond Park, Musgrave Park, Donnybrook and all other Irish rugby grounds - is long, long overdue.
Forgive this column for not being unduly sorrowful about the thought of the wrecking balls coming in. For sure Lansdowne Road has many wonderful memories, and many not so wonderful, which thankfully don't linger as long in the mind, not to mention the people who have traditionally populated the old ground.
Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan made a telling observation after the final international there against the Pacific Islands when he said: "It kind of hit me today coming off the bus. The guy that leads us through the gate shakes hands with everybody; he said to me today this is my last time doing it. You don't think about it too much until that point."
Plenty of us will have had similar moments of realisation, as when greeted in the press box on New Year's Eve for the last time by Paddy Nolan. A steward at the ground since 1961, when he used a union contact to overcome his inability to obtain a match ticket, Paddy has been handing out programmes to journalists since the late 1970s and was always kind enough to put one aside for yours truly, who had a tendency to arrive somewhat close to kick-off. All in the past, of course. Friendly greetings were always available from Jimmy Galloway and others on the ground staff.
Less endearing were the actual press facilities, or indeed the uniquely Lansdowne Road custom of unceremoniously ushering journalists out of the press room and adjoining "writers' room" (populated, naturally, by the Sunday boys mostly). The alternative, never pursued, was to be locked in - not a particularly palatable prospect as the wind whipped through the ice-cold room. This charming public-relations exercise was continued right up to the bitter end on Sunday when an Ulster colleague working to a deadline with live copy was told to pack up his computer and leave.
Quite why the thousands were kept away from the pitch after Sunday's game is a small mystery. Some of those who lingered longest were ultimately able to make off with a few sods. A rumour went around that one supporter, late into the night, had made off with the President's bucket seat, obviously not in use at the time.
And as any spectator who has been to rival Test grounds this decade can testify, Lansdowne Road and its, eh, facilities, simply don't cut it when compared to the Millennium Stadium, Twickenham, Stade de France, Murrayfield or even Stadio Flaminio, joint home to a Serie C side and a women's football team which despite its much lower capacity is far more spacious, comfortable and spectator-friendly than Lansdowne.
Being "homeless" for the best part of three years at least, and even the possible inconvenience of one or two Heineken European Cup home quarter-finals being played across the water, is more than offset by the thought of almost 80,000 cramming into the modern splendour of Croke Park for the visits of France and England.
In the longer term, it would be a crying shame if this golden era for Irish rugby were not also rewarded with a few more fitting new homes for players, teams and fans alike.
More than anything, a stylish, state-of-the-art Lansdowne Road really is something to look forward to.
Forecasts for 2007?
The World Cup: the gap will be closed. The Boks will have their full-strength side and an improved squad. The French and English have innate structural problems and teams a long way from being primed for RWC 2007 but can surely only make strides at home.
The Wallabies have brilliant backs and astute organisation and won't fear anyone, least of all the favourites, but the All Blacks will still be a cut above the rest.
A feasible dream is Ireland might go all the way to the final, and will surely never have had a better team or squad to do so, but the most viable route might be to top their pool ahead of the hosts and those dastardly Pumas. A tall, tall order.
The Six Nations: whatever about a first Slam in 59 years, a first championship since 1985 is something this Irish team has within its capabilities. Wales, first up, in Cardiff, looks as tricky as any of them, but barring injuries, the itinerary and form make Ireland worthy favourites.
The European Cup: Munster now have the innate self-belief that comes with being champions to make them the team to beat. Biarritz and Stade Français, perhaps Leicester, Llanelli and Leinster, are threats, but Munster have the desire as well as the ability to retain their hard-won crown.
The Magners Celtic League: seven or eight teams are conceivably in contention, with the ultimate champions liable to have a lower points tally than the Ospreys (76) and Ulster (75) over the last two years. Only a point away last season, a hunch says Leinster.
