16 April 2005 was a momentous day at GAA Congress as a vote to temporarily open Croke Park to soccer and rugby was passed.

The motion was proposed for the period that the Lansdowne Road Stadium was undergoing redevelopment and eventually becoming the Aviva Stadium we now know.

The motion passed by just 10 votes – 227 to 97 – securing the two third majority required.

It would be nearly two years later in February and March 2007 when the Ireland rugby and soccer teams played their first groundbreaking games at the venue.

Here we look back at our report on the vote:

Soccer and rugby will be allowed in Croke Park following a historic vote at GAA Congress earlier today.

The motion to temporarily open GAA headquarters while Lansdowne Road is under redevelopment was passed by more than the required two thirds majority as 227 delegates voted in favour of the change against the 97 no votes.

The 10 vote win comes as somewhat of a surprise given that earlier in the day a motion to hold a vote by secret ballot was passed. The no camp saw this as an early victory and was hopeful that it might ensure that they would get the votes necessary to stop the change.

However, following strong debate on the subject, with both sides making emotional pleas for their case, 70 percent of delegates voted in favour of the change.

Both the IRFU and the FAI have already commented on the decision and both have welcomed the change.

The IRFU said: "The Irish Rugby Football Union has always stated that during the proposed redevelopment of Lansdowne Road that it would investigate its options of temporary accommodation, both inside and outside the country, taking account of the logistical and commercial perspectives.

"The Union respects that the availability of Croke Park was entirely at the discretion of the GAA and its members and appreciates and welcomes the change in policy that Croke Park may now become available for the staging of other sporting events."

The Football Association of Ireland has taken the same opinion as their rugby counterparts. "As we coordinate and plan our games schedule for 2007, during the course of the next 18 months, we will investigate all venue options available to us. When we are required to commit to specific venues for these matches, we will have evaluated all aspects of the venue decision including footballing, logistical and commercial issues," said the FAI statement.

“The FAI welcomes the decision of the GAA to enable the consideration of Croke Park's availability to other sports through its Central Council in certain circumstances. While decisions relating to our home games due to take place when Lansdowne Road is under redevelopment are some way off, we welcome the fact that Croke Park may become available at that time."

 Some comments from Congress

"If you support this you are supporting the formation of a new association that caters for everything and stands for nothing" - former President Con Murphy

"Croke Park was built by our association for our association" - Antrim's Eamonn McMahon

"It's through their own neglect that they have no stadium" - Ulster Council Chairman Micheal Greenan

"I don't want to see my family, relations and friends having to travel to Cardiff or Old Trafford" - Clare's Michael McDonagh

"I have never seen the clubs of the association speak as they have done" - Kerry chairman Sean Walsh

"A No vote would be unthinkable and send us back generations" - Longford's TJ Ward

"It would hurt me as a lifelong GAA man and an Irish man if we leave our stadium idle while we send Irish supporters to Britain. This would be a defining moment for the GAA and be seen as a willingness by the GAA to serve the country at a time of need" - Roscommon's Tommy Kenoy

"If a neighbour's house burned down in a fire and you had a spare room - would you leave him out in the cold?" - Wexford's Sean Quirke

"The ball is now in the court of other sports" - President Sean Kelly concludes the debate

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