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Leinster fans banned from drinking in seats during Champions Cup semi-final in Croke Park

Organisers have said they will “respect" GAA rules.

File image of Leinster rugby fans.

Darragh Nolan

Fans at the European Champions Cup semi-final between Leinster and Northampton Saints on May 4 will not be allowed to consume alcohol at their seats.

Rugby fans are typically allowed to bring alcoholic drinks back to their seats at the Aviva Stadium however event organisers European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) have said GAA rules will remain in place for the first rugby match to take place at Croke Park since 2009.

GAA fixtures at Croke Park typically would not allow fans to bring alcoholic drinks bought at a stadium bar back to their seats.

“EPCR will be respecting the GAA's rules and regulations regarding alcohol consumption in the stadium bowl for the Investec Champions Cup semi-final between Leinster Rugby and Northampton Saints at Croke Park on May 4,” an EPCR spokesperson said.

The IRFU considered stopping the sale of alcohol during matches at the Aviva Stadium following criticism from some fans over other attendees going to and from the bar while the game was ongoing.

However the decision was taken to continue selling alcohol during games following a survey of fans in January 2023.

Meanwhile, there will be disruption for Dart users on matchday due to scheduled engineering works over the weekend of the game.

Dart services will not operate between Grand Canal Dock and Bray across the May bank holiday weekend from Saturday, May 4 to Monday, May 6.

There will be a capacity crowd of 82,300 descending on GAA HQ for Leinster’s Champions Cup semi-final after tickets sold out within hours of going on sale at 10am on Friday, April 19 with many travelling to the match by train.

Due to engineering works scheduled for that weekend, Dart services will only operate between Howth/Malahide and Grand Canal Dock.

Today's News in 90 Seconds - April 22nd

Dublin Bus and Go-Ahead Ireland will accept valid rail tickets on services between stations closed for train service.

“We choose selected bank holiday weekends to undertake projects of significant scale – the extra weekend day allows us to achieve more progress more efficiently, while avoiding impacting those crucial weekday customers,” a statement on the Irish Rail website reads.

"We don’t schedule works at St Patrick’s weekend, which is particularly important for tourism. However, the new February (St Brigid’s bank holiday), Easter, and the May, June and October bank holidays, and occasionally the August bank holiday, are often used for works.”

13 stations will be closed for train services due to the works, including:

  • Lansdowne Road
  • Sandymount
  • Sydney Parade
  • Booterstown
  • Blackrock
  • Seapoint
  • Salthill and Monkstown
  • Dun Laoghaire
  • Sandycove and Glasthule
  • Glenageary
  • Dalkey
  • Killiney
  • Shankill

The same service alterations on the Dart will be in place for further works on Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, June 9.

Leinster play most of their home games at the RDS but would typically host games at the Aviva Stadium to facilitate larger crowds. However, the Aviva Stadium is closed while preparations are made for the final of the UEFA Europa League on May 22.

Last week, Leinster announced they will play the majority of their home fixtures at the Aviva Stadium next year while a €50m reconstruction project gets underway at the RDS.

Further Leinster home matches will also take place at Croke Park next season.