‘Ireland has the ability to stage great Rugby World Cup’ – McKevitt

SDLP Culture, Arts and Leisure spokesperson (DCAL) Karen McKevitt has welcomed the all-Ireland bid to host the Rugby World Cup 2023.

The South Down MLA said the recent staging of high-profile sporting events north and south showed that the time was right for this bid.

“I’m delighted that this bid has been announced,” she told Newry Times. “It will act as a major fillip for the reputation of Ireland as a stage for major world sporting events.

“We have some of the best sporting venues and with the right planning and buy-in from all stakeholders, we have a tremendous opportunity to take our sporting reputation to the next level and build and maintain a global legacy.

“The last Rugby World Cup held in New Zealand showed that smaller countries, with the proper planning on stadia and infrastructure and hospitality can take on the mantle.

She added, “The staging of the Giro d’Italia, World Police and Fire Games, world title boxing fights and the upcoming Open Golf Championship to go alongside the annual indigenous sporting events taking place right across this island, show that we have the capability to put on a show that will do the Rugby World Cup justice.”

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Posted by Newry Times News on Dec 5 2014. Filed under Politics, Sport. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry