The ultimate debate: Croke Park or Aviva Stadium?

This is the big one…

They are the two showcase stadiums in the country, the home of the GAA pitted up against the new (ish) home of the FAI and IRFU. It has been seven years since the Aviva Stadium opened its gates for the first time so we think it is now fair to compare the two. Before we get into here is how it will be rated, there will be eight different categories and each will be rated out of 10. These categories are

• Food
• Drink
• Toilets
• Proximity
• Ease of access
• Comfort
• Atmosphere
• Tradition

Let’s get right into it. Food This one is a dead heat in all honesty. Depending on the day both can be poor or both can be good. At the quarter finals of the All-Ireland, there was a hot dog stand with fresh hot dogs being cooked which initially looked to give Croker the edge but the Aviva Stadium has sales people walking through the stands selling hot dogs and their selection just about edges Croke Park. Aviva Stadium - 8 Croke Park - 7 Drink This one is a bit more straight forward, you’d fancy your chances of getting a good pint in Croke Park but you wouldn’t hold high hopes for Aviva Stadium although rumour is that there are many a bar man that pour Guinness straight at the home of the GAA. Aviva Stadium - 6 Croke Park - 7 Toilets Other stadiums around the world need to learn from both of these when it comes to toilets. For the most part you don’t care about hygiene at a match, all you want is to get in and out. The urinal system in both the Aviva and Croke Park is brilliant, in and out. For the females out there we have been told that there is not much of a difference in either sets of toilets but stand to be corrected. Aviva Stadium – 8 Croke Park – 8 Proximity In fairness to both the Aviva and Croke Park they are both in relatively convenient locations. The Aviva is about a 15-20 minute walk from the City Centre but Croke Park wins again with it literally being a stone's throw from O’Connell street. Aviva Stadium – 8 Croke Park – 9 Comfort Okay, one of the few faults of Croke Park is that anyway with any sort of broad shoulders is going to be seriously encroaching on their neighbours' personal space. Whether it be jumping up off your seat, taking your jacket off or grabbing something from under your seat you need to be very careful with your arms in case you hit the person beside you. In the Aviva though this isn’t the same, you can nearly do a 360 without hitting your neighbours and the leg room is that little bit more luxurious. Also, the seats in the Aviva are better. Aviva – 9 Croke Park -7 Tradition Okay, this is unfair given the rich history of Croke Park, it is always going to be a winner. However, whether you’re a massive GAA fan or not you will at least know “The Hill” and 99 percent of people can bat off the names of the Cusack, Hogan and Davin Stand (or Canal end for you purists). Try do the same for the Aviva, you can’t. It’s “The small stand behind the goal” “Behind the goal that isn’t the small stand” “The side with the tunnel” and “The side nearest to the DART station”. Aviva Stadium – 6 Croke Park – 10 Ease of access [caption id="attachment_133879" align="alignnone" width="1024"] (Credit Irish Rail)[/caption] Geographically Croke Park has the advantage here, anyone can get to town and once you’re there it is not a long walk to Drumcondra however what it does lack is public transport service. Yes, there’s the odd bus whether it be the 14 to Fairview or the 16 will leave you right at Quinns and the 123 goes through Ballybough but the Aviva Stadium has a DART right to its doorstep. You can literally can it from Connolly station 15 minutes before kick off and catch the end of the national anthem. Aviva Stadium – 9 Croke Park - 7 Atmosphere Okay, this is sure to divide opinion but on a regular basis and its peak, the home of GAA trumps all. You’re guaranteed a great atmosphere at a bare minimum twice a year when the two All-Ireland’s come around and in fairness to them Dublin fans they can create some sound when their team is up against it. In the Aviva the Irish football team very rarely showcase enough skill for fans to get into, even the sellout game against Wales only picked up when they started attacking a little bit more. The rugby fans can get things going but very few crowds can beat Hill 16 on All-Ireland day. Aviva Stadium – 7 Croke Park – 10 Final Score  Aviva Stadium - 61/80 Croke Park - 65/80